Human Interest

There are alot of "behind-the-scenes" people at each and every radio station that all do their part to, hopefully, provide you with entertainment and information that you have come to expect.

One of those is the Chief Engineer.  He is the person who keeps the transmitter up and running.  No transmitter = no radio station!  This often means calls in the middle of the night from frantic DJ's who couldn't fix a leaky faucet to save their souls!

Today, KATS is losing ours. 

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On a grey, dreary wet and rainy day such as today, I'm quickly reminded how lucky we are to live in the Yakima Valley where the sun shines nearly 300 days a year.  At least, according to the old number touted for many years by the Chamber of Commerce or Visitors and Convention Bureau.

I don't need to tell you that we receive far less rainfall per year than our neighbors to the west in Seattle.  You may, however, be surprised to find out what cities actually receive MORE rain than the Emerald City.

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KATS longtime listener Darcie Palmer alerted us to the plight of her daughter's best friend - Estasia Kerrigan - who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

She asked if we could donate to the silent auction to raise funds for her treatment at Children's Hospital in Seattle and her new residence for the 6-9 months at the Ronald McDonald House.

We were happy to pony up with some tickets to see the Toughest Monster Truck show as well as Chickenfoot in concert and hope that it can be used to raise alot of money for a great cause.

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Yesterday, I was alarmed to hear from a couple of KATS listeners that the J.R.O.T.C. program in the West Valley School District was on the chopping block.

There was a tremendous outpouring of support from members of the community at a school board hearing last night to help determine the program's fate.

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For no reason what-so-ever the other day, something clicked in my head which said "It's time to learn to play a new musical instrument." No rhyme or reason to it, not for profit or anything, just the ability to play something new. My wife is calling it a 'Mid-life Musical Crisis' and she may be right. So, where do I go when I want to learn to play a new musical instrument? To the guy who knows more about music and musical theory than anyone else I know; my dad.

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T-shirts and shorts are  the official uniform for a Yakima Valley summer!

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Memorial Day is about remembering those who served and are no longer with us.

I'd like to share a couple of men whom I will especially be thinking of this weekend.  In fact, they are the men that put the "E" in Todd E. Lyons.

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I hate reality t.v., however, I do still get a kick out of America's Funniest Home Videos which I have always contended should just change the name of the program to "30 Minutes Of Guy's Taking It In The Nuts".

I must have been on to something as Mike Judge (creator of "Beavis & Butt-head", "King Of The Hill" and "Office Space") lampooned the idea in the cult film "Idiocracy" with the fictitious show "Ow!  My Balls!"

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For me, it may as well be the Alpha and Omega of television.

On this date, May 22nd, in 1967 and 1992 respectively, two of my television idols began and ended their careers in broadcasting.

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I love a good "sports cry." It's probably why I'm a sucker for movies that depict moments that real-life athletes might have gone through.

Which is why I'm sharing the events that unfolded at Wrigley Field a couple of days ago with you.

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On Independence Day, 1902, a monument was unveiled in the center of Yakima Avenue and Third Street of what is now downtown Yakima.

Over the last, nearly 110 years, it has fallen prey to the elements and is in need of restoration.

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My son and I watch sports together all the time.  Sometimes, in the heat of competition, I let fly with some words I probably shouldn't which is why I thought this quick video was so charming!

The real lesson to be learned here, I think, is that the NEVER call traveling in the N

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