SEGMENT #1: CARTA
GUEST: Mike Seekings, Board of Directors Chairman
ISSUE: Transportation
With the holiday weekend, CARTA starts its “Beach Reach Shuttle,” providing free rides to the beach from Mount Pleasant Towne Centre to the Isle of Palms. Mike Seekings, the CARTA Board of Directors Chairman talked about how the route came about, the partnership that made it happen and how people can take advantage of this free route. The Chairman also discussed other CARTA programs including Park n’ Ride and CARTA On Demand, for those 55 and older. Seekings also talked about the upgrades CARTA has made over the past 15 years, how the organization is moving toward the future with an App, attempting to attract younger riders and the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project being currently developed.
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SEGMENT #2: South Carolina State Election Commission
GUEST: Syndi Bain, Voter Education/Outreach Coordinator
ISSUE: Voting
Tuesday, June 11 is Primary Election Day in South Carolina. The Voter Education Outreach Coordinator for the South Carolina State Election Commission, Syndi Bain explained what this primary is for, and how it differs from the Presidential Primaries that took place back in February. Bain discussed the early voting period that is the two weeks prior to the primary, and talked about where and when people could vote. Additionally, she explained what individuals need to bring to the polls to vote. Bain also shared voter registration information, including the deadline for the November election and the website to learn about voting in South Carolina.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-carta-south-carolina-state-election-commission-june-2-2024?si=a83e385fb44741b287be19b964174b5f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
SEGMENT #1: CARTA
GUEST: Mike Seekings, Board of Directors Chairman
ISSUE: Transportation
With the holiday weekend, CARTA starts its “Beach Reach Shuttle,” providing free rides to the beach from Mount Pleasant Towne Centre to the Isle of Palms. Mike Seekings, the CARTA Board of Directors Chairman talked about how the route came about, the partnership that made it happen and how people can take advantage of this free route. The Chairman also discussed other CARTA programs including Park n’ Ride and CARTA On Demand, for those 55 and older. Seekings also talked about the upgrades CARTA has made over the past 15 years, how the organization is moving toward the future with an App, attempting to attract younger riders and the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project being currently developed.
________________________________________________
SEGMENT #2: South Carolina State Election Commission
GUEST: Syndi Bain, Voter Education/Outreach Coordinator
ISSUE: Voting
Tuesday, June 11 is Primary Election Day in South Carolina. The Voter Education Outreach Coordinator for the South Carolina State Election Commission, Syndi Bain explained what this primary is for, and how it differs from the Presidential Primaries that took place back in February. Bain discussed the early voting period that is the two weeks prior to the primary, and talked about where and when people could vote. Additionally, she explained what individuals need to bring to the polls to vote. Bain also shared voter registration information, including the deadline for the November election and the website to learn about voting in South Carolina.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-carta-south-carolina-state-election-commission-june-2-2024?si=a83e385fb44741b287be19b964174b5f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
SEGMENT #1: Lutheran Services Carolinas
GUEST: Robbie Dent, Foster Family Recruiter
ISSUE: Youth & Family Services
There are currently more than 4,000 children in South Carolina waiting to be placed with a foster family. Robbie Dent, the Foster Family Recruiter for the state of South Carolina, with Lutheran Services Carolinas discussed the challenges this is causing. Dent explained how children end up in foster care, and the importance of having families who are willing and able to assist these boys and girls. Along with providing information on who is eligible to become a foster family, and sharing the steps someone can take to explore becoming a foster, he also made an appeal for community groups to allow him to speak to their members in an effort to recruit new foster families.
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SEGMENT #2: Eminent Professional
GUEST: Lee Landisburg, Director of Marketing
ISSUE: Economic Development
Technology is also moving forward, and there’s a new sound technology being developed in part, in the Lowcountry. Lee Landsiburg, the Marketing Director with Eminent Professional introduced us to the new ET Pro Speakers. Over the past few decades, we’ve seen the quality of sound increase while the size of speakers decrease. Landisburg’s company has two patents that are potentially reducing the size of speakers even more, while improving the sound quality and clarity. He discussed the technology that could impact the concert and live music industry, as well as sharing its more practical uses on smart phones and speakers, and computers.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-lutheran-services-carolinas-eminent-professional-may-19-2024?si=7d2a0df510b54d58b14b2005a1de2365&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Segment #1: Landmark for Families
GUEST: Megan Davis, Assoc. Vice President for Development
ISSUE: Youth & Family Services
One of the oldest non-profits in the nation is here in the Lowcountry, serving our community since the 1790s. Recently, the Carolina Youth Development Center changed its name to Landmark for Families. Megan Davis, their Associate Vice-President for Development explained the reason behind the name changed. She discussed how they are continuing their original mission and new ways they are helping children, and families. Davis also provided details on their upcoming fundraising event, the Give Me Shelter Color 5K, shared information on how people could enter, or volunteer, and explained how the money raised would help the organization.
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Segment #2: TriCounty Speaks
GUEST: Deborah Freel, Executive Director
ISSUE: Sexual Assault
The statistics are staggering, and while many people feel it’s a New York/Chicago/Los Angeles “big city” problem, sexual assault is an issue in all areas of our nation, including the Lowcountry. Deborah Freel is the next executive director of Tri-County Speaks, formerly known as People Against Rape. Freel provided which each letter stands for in their acronym and explained the organizations approach to dealing with and assisting victims of sexual assault. She gave tips for individual who are dealing with sexual assault and provided suggestions for an individual who believes someone they know are being sexually assault. She spoke of her plan for the organization moving forward, and how the community can assist.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-landmark-for-families-tricounty-speaks-may-12-2024
CRG Radio Stations Partner with MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital
to Raise Record-Breaking $230,000+ in Most Successful Cares for Kids Radiothon to Date
The 2024 Cares for Kids Radiothon, the annual drive to raise funds for South Carolina’s #1 hospital – the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, raised more than $30,000 more than the previous year, which also broke the previous year’s record.
Charleston Radio Group’s 92.5 Kickin’ Country, Star 99.7 and Mix 95.9 were honored to be a part of the hospital’s most successful Radiothon to date. On-air personalities from each station from the morning drive to the afternoon drive were on-site for both days, broadcasting live to call for donations and capture the excitement of donations coming in via the phone bank, text line and online donation portal.
Below is the announcement of the final check total in a post from the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital Instagram account, shortly after the check was presented on the final night of the Radiothon:
And that’s a wrap on the 2024 Cares for Kids Radiothon! The force was strong with this one!
We are thrilled to share that, thanks to YOU, we raised a record-breaking $230,458! 🎉 Every dollar stays local, benefitting MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital!
We couldn’t do this without the support of @charlestonradiogroup, @925kickincountry, @mix959live & @star997fm. Beyond two full days of radio, comes many hours and massive effort to prepare. Their energy, passion and heart brings this event all together and we are grateful for their continued partnership.
Additional thanks to our event sponsors, volunteers for their time answering phones and all our patient families for sharing their personal stories.
And, of course, to our community for tuning in, donating and spreading the word. Our hearts are so FULL, Lowcountry. Thank you!
BELINDA PARKER ADDED TO BLACK WOMEN IN RADIO’S
DISTINGUISHED HONOREES
Charleston, SC May 4, 2023 – A popular Lowcountry radio personality is about to have her career archived in the Library of Congress by the Radio Preservation Society.
Belinda “BP” Parker, on-air personality at WXST-FM, Star 99.7, Charleston’s top-rated radio station, is part of the “Black Women in Radio’s (BWIR), Distinguished Inaugural 30.” This historic group blazed the trail for future generations of women to flourish in this broadcast industry. The women, including Dee Dee McGuire, Angela Yee, Shirley Strawberry, Carla Ferrell of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, were honored on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the Radio Preservation Task Conference in Washington, DC.
Belinda has been a leader both on-air and in the community for over 20 years.
Charleston Radio Group President Paul O’Malley wasn’t surprised that Parker was one of the 30 women selected, saying “Belinda Parker is one of the most talented on-air personalities in the country and has connected with her audiences on a level that is unparalleled. She is a true pioneer.”
Parker’s voice is one of the more than 35 now preserved in the Black Women in Radio National Historic Collection and Oral History Project, curated by BWIR. And, “BP” can still be heard weeknights from 7 PM until 11 PM on Star 99.7 and streamed across the nation at www.star997.com.
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The Charleston Radio Group, owned by Saga Communications, operates six of the top radio stations in the Charleston, SC area; R&B WXST-FM, Star 99.7; Hot AC WMXZ-FM, Mix 95.9, Country 92.5 Kickin’ Country, Adult Hits 101.7 Chuck-FM, Gospel/Christian Heaven 100.1FM and Today’s Hits and Hip Hop WMXZ-HD2 99.3 The Box. CRG provides customized marketing solutions that leverage on-air, online and on-site assets to deliver substantial results for local businesses.
Stephen Crumbley Inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame
Star 99.7’s own Stephen Crumbley (“Stephen St. James“) has been inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame as an Original 13 Pioneer Award Inductee for his more than 30 years in the radio broadcasting industry.
His historic service will be recognized alongside other 2023 inductees at the October 7, 2023 National Black Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Atlanta, GA, at which point Stephen’s name will be placed in the Museum at Harris Stowe State University alongside his fellow class of 2023 and former industry inductees.
Join us in extending a huge congratulations to Stephen!
