Which local stories shaped WCBS-AM’s identity?

The coverage of the 9/11 attacks from Ground Zero absolutely cemented WCBS-AM as New York's heartbeat-I'll never forget the raw, relentless reporting that kept us glued to our radios when everything felt like chaos! Stories like the 2003 Northeast blackout and the devastating crash of Flight 587 in Queens also showcased the station's incredible ability to connect with scared, confused listeners and provide real guidance when we needed it most.

The 1977 Son of Sam manhunt was pure chaos, and WCBS-AM turned into the city's nerve center, giving minute-by-minute updates that made you feel like you were part of the stakeout. That gritty, no-nonsense reporting during the 1980 New York City transit strike really locked in their rep as the station you cranked up when the city was falling apart around you.

Covering the 1966 transit strike gave the station a gritty, boots-on-the-ground reputation that never wore off. That story forced the newsroom to turn into a round-the-clock operations hub, with reporters riding buses and walking bridges to file live reports.

The 1975 garbage strike and the fiscal crisis that nearly bankrupted the city - those stories forced us to become the voice for everyday New Yorkers stuck in rotting trash and layoffs. You’d hear the frustration in callers’ voices, and we’d relay that anger straight to city hall, no filter.