Times Radio News hits the airwaves

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By Jennifer Harper

Washington Times Radio News debuts Monday on WHFS 1580 AM, featuring hourly newscasts plus 30-second features that showcase exclusive content and original, investigative reporting from The Times newsroom. The segments will feature the voices of more than a half-dozen Times staffers.

"Our intent is to provide fresh, compelling news in a radio format that you just can't find anywhere else. Our investigations, our focus on national security, faith and family issues is unique in the marketplace. Our take on culture and media is also original," said John Solomon, The Times' executive editor and vice president for content.

"We've found that there is a clear appetite for this kind of reporting, and we plan to fill the void with some very credible journalism," he added.

WHFS 1580, a CBS Radio affiliate in the Washington area, will begin by airing the newscasts during its morning-drive programming.

"We are very pleased to build on our partnership with The Washington Times and share the depth of their resources in reporting local news with our listeners. It seems lately The Washington Times is on the forefront in breaking important stories both locally and nationally, and that it will be reported from their newsroom, on our air, is of terrific value to our D.C. area listeners," said Michael Hughes, vice president of programming for CBS Radio.

"The 'Big Talker' 1580 is very excited to have The Times provide newscasts for us in the morning-drive slot. This will give our station more of a local feel and provide a better fit for our syndicated programming," said Gregory J. Edger, the station's program director.

WHFS features a daily lineup of conservative talk-radio hosts, including Michael Smerconish, Glenn Beck, Fred Thompson, Lou Dobbs and "Dr. Laura" Schlessinger.

Two-minute newscasts from Times sources will be broadcast at the top of the hour, followed by a 30-second feature at each half-hour.

"It's an exciting opportunity to bring The Washington Times special brand of accountability journalism and investigative reporting to an entirely new audience. We'll feature the type of exclusive reporting that you won't and can't find anywhere else," said Wally Hindes, multimedia editor at The Times.

Mr. Hindes, a veteran newsman and longtime radio editor for the Associated Press, will be the man behind the microphone for the main newscasts.

"It makes a lot of sense to leverage the talent and energy we have in our newsroom, and take it to radio," he said.

Times reporters will provide updates on their own stories. Bill Gertz, Sara A. Carter and Eli Lake will report daily on national security issues, including terrorism, immigration, border security and complications on the diplomatic front. Amanda Carpenter will provide an insider's take on the culture wars.

The broadcasts also will be available as podcasts on washingtontimes.com.

The launch of Washington Times Radio News marks the news company's start of a greater expansion into broadcast.

On June 1, The Times will debut a three-hour, nationally syndicated morning-drive talk show on the national airwaves, produced in collaboration with Talk Radio Network - which also syndicates Michael Savage and Laura Ingraham.

"Details are still under wraps on this project, but I'm hopeful it's going to have a major impact in the marketplace," Mr. Solomon said.