DEA Honors John and Margo Catsimatidis, WABC Radio’s ‘Back the Blue’ Team for Standing With NYPD Detectives
By Robert Pearl
The Detectives’ Endowment Association honored 77 WABC Radio owners John and Margo Catsimatidis (pictured above) as its 2026 People of the Year, recognizing their longstanding commitment to New York’s law enforcement community and the influential role of WABC’s “Back the Blue” team in bringing the voices and concerns of police officers and detectives to the public.
The awards dinner, held October 8 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, Queens, marked the 109th year of the DEA, which represents the men and women of the NYPD who investigate the city’s most serious crimes. DEA president Scott Munro and the association’s leadership welcomed law enforcement representatives, supporters and distinguished guests for an evening celebrating service, sacrifice and the partnerships that sustain the department’s mission.
For the DEA, recognizing the Catsimatidis and WABC was about more than media visibility. It acknowledged the importance of having influential business leaders and broadcasters willing to stand publicly with the men and women who protect New York, particularly at a time when the challenges facing law enforcement remain a subject of intense public debate.
“Back the Blue” honorees included WABC personalities Sid Rosenberg, Dominic Carter, Rita Cosby and Greg Kelly, whose programs and commentary give law enforcement issues a prominent place in the station’s coverage. Through interviews, news discussions and dedicated segments, the team helps bring the realities of police work, the sacrifices of officers and the concerns of their families to a broad audience.
Munro emphasized the importance of that platform, noting that WABC provides detectives with a voice and helps communicate their experiences to New Yorkers. He also praised John and Margo Catsimatidis for their philanthropy, civic leadership and longstanding support for police and community initiatives.
John Catsimatidis, the self-made businessman whose Red Apple Group interests include supermarkets, energy and real estate, has built WABC into an important part of his New York business portfolio. His weekday program, “Cats & Cosby,” features Rita Cosby, while “The Cats Roundtable” airs on weekends. Margo Catsimatidis has also played a significant role in the couple’s business and charitable endeavors.
Their support extends well beyond broadcasting. For decades, the couple has supported the Police Athletic League, including holiday initiatives for children, and contributed to charitable, civic and medical causes. Their work reflects an understanding that public safety involves not only policing but also investing in young people and strengthening the communities officers serve.
During his remarks, John Catsimatidis recalled the couple’s longstanding involvement with youth programs and the importance of giving children opportunities to succeed. Such efforts, alongside their backing of law enforcement, demonstrate how private-sector leadership can complement the work of public servants.
Rosenberg, host of “Sid & Friends in the Morning,” praised the Catsimatidis and spoke directly about the difficulties officers face. He stressed that detectives and police officers deserve recognition, fair treatment and the support of public officials as they confront the risks inherent in their work.
The evening also recognized actor, producer and singer Donnie Wahlberg with the Detective Steven McDonald Humanitarian Award. Best known to many viewers for portraying NYPD Detective Danny Reagan on “Blue Bloods,” Wahlberg has supported the DEA and its Widows’ and Children’s Fund. Unable to attend because of filming commitments, he delivered a video message expressing gratitude and directing attention to detectives and the families of fallen officers.
The association presented its inaugural President’s Award to Steven Palladino, its director of interagency community partnerships, honoring his service, philanthropy and commitment to detectives and their families. Munro cited Palladino’s work helping raise more than $200,000 for line-of-duty families over the preceding two years.
The program included the NYPD Honor Guard, Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, the national anthem, invocation and dinner, bringing together members of law enforcement and their supporters.
As New York marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, the gathering carried particular significance. The DEA continues to remember detectives and other NYPD members killed that day, as well as those who later died from illnesses related to their service.
The awards underscored a central message: law enforcement cannot stand alone. Support from community leaders, charitable partners and a prominent media organization such as WABC helps ensure that detectives’ work, sacrifices and concerns remain part of the public conversation. For the DEA, the Catsimatidis and the “Back the Blue” team represent partners willing to use their resources and reach to stand alongside New York’s Finest.
Robert Pearl is a Brooklyn-based journalist who writes about New York City media, politics, and culture. He can be emailed at pearlknows@yahoo.com.
at Capital Broadcasting Inc’s WGDJ “Talk1300” airing at 10:00 pm. Pags tells TALKERS, “For the 10 years I’ve been in syndication I’ve always hoped to return to the Capital Region of New York where I was proud to be a news anchor on the CBS affiliate, WRGB-TV. Even though I left TV there more than 20 years ago, I still regularly hear from former viewers there and will always consider the area a hometown. I can’t thank [owner] Paul Vandenburgh enough for putting me on the air there on his great station WGDJ!” 
moments of silence honoring those killed on September 11, 2001, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, as well as those who have died from 9/11-related health effects. WINS reporters will be stationed throughout the region, including at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Atlantic Beach, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field ceremonies, and the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, providing live reports and updates throughout the morning. Audacy adds, “With the 25th anniversary marking a significant milestone in the city and nation’s remembrance of 9/11, 1010 WINS will offer extensive on-air reporting, interviews and eyewitness coverage from across New York.”
aggression in Ukraine and helping bring the country back after COVID.” Biden tells Catsimatidis he believes the current political climate has made it difficult for people to judge his father’s presidency clearly, but said historians will eventually take a different view. “I think the historians will look at my dad’s presidency as an incredible success,” Biden said. The interview also touches on Hunter Biden’s recovery, the attacks he faced during his father’s presidency, the future of the Democratic Party, immigration, veterans, addiction and whether he would ever consider running for public office.
into the radio business. He first went on the air on WGSM, Long Island but is best known for his weekend talk show on WPLJ, New York. He was friendly with singer Harry Chapin with whom he founded World Hunger Year that later became WhyHunger and led to a series of Hungerthon broadcasts. Ayres left the priesthood in 1979 and married his wife Jeannine. 
generated a lot of buzz on YouTube and social media as the complete interview aired on Cohen’s WABC program at 5:00 pm on Sunday (8/23). Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for lying to congress and failing to report millions in income and testified against Trump in congress and in court. 
income testified against Trump in congress and in court. But Cohen says he’s spoken with Trump several times over the past year and the president agreed to do the interview. WABC says, “The coming-together of these two political heavyweights comes at a particularly intriguing time. Cohen and Trump have been publicly at odds for years, making this unexpected sit-down impossible to ignore. Whatever the answer, Cohen interviewing Trump is sure to generate attention and plenty of questions about what happened to one of the most complicated relationships in modern politics.”
Harris joined Red Apple Media on May 4 as VP of news for WABC and the new Worldwide News Network, which launched May 23. Six weeks later, Red Apple promoted him to SVP of news and programming, expanding his authority across WABC, WWNN and Red Apple Audio Networks. On August 12 – roughly 100 days after his hiring – company CEO / owner John Catsimatidis announced Harris’s departure. Catsimatidis stated he had requested Harris’s resignation following a dispute involving a longtime employee returning from medical leave. Red Apple later attributed the separation to differences involving “leadership style.” Harris said he had decided to return to his longtime independent business developing broadcast technology products, but neither side identified a replacement nor fully explained in detail whether Harris resigned voluntarily or was dismissed.
Partners in 1990 with a single radio station operating out of a diner in Utica, New York. Over the next 36 years, he built the company into a 15-station broadcasting firm operating in Central and Upstate New York. Levine says, “It’s been a wonderful ride over the past 36 years. It’s hard to believe I was 33 when I started the company, and now I’m 70. Where did the time go? As the years have passed, my priorities have changed. A year ago, I was blessed with a beautiful grandson, and my daughter and son-in-law live just minutes from us in Charlotte, North Carolina. Spending more time with my family has become increasingly important, and I know this is the right time to begin a new chapter.”
Entertainment, it debuts on Wednesday (7/22) on YouTube and other podcast platforms. Carton comments, “There’s nothing better than swapping takes with Wayne on sports, pop culture and a whole host of other topics. ‘The Joint Venture Show’ gives us a great excuse to keep doing what we’ve been doing for years, while also having some famous friends stop by and chop it up with us. There’s no better job in the world.” 
guests including Jerry Falwell Jr. and Anthony Scaramucci. Red Apple is also promoting the companion podcast, “When the When You Know, You Know… Unleashed” podcast saysing, “the conversations get even bolder. Free from FCC broadcast regulations and with no topics off limits, the podcast is already generating buzz among high-profile political figures eager to join Cohen for candid, unfiltered conversations that will take listeners even deeper inside the stories, scandals, and personalities shaping the headlines.”
morning drive host Sid Rosenberg. In addition to Rosenberg, this year’s class includes: Bill Ritter – journalist/ anchor – WABC-TV, New York; Rosanna Scotto – journalist/anchor – WNYW-TV (FOX 5), New York City; Dan Miner – station manager – WCKM-FM, WCQL-FM, WWSC-AM & FM, and WDKM-FM, Glens Falls; Pete Cloutier – morning co-host & sales – WCKM-FM, Glens Falls; Chuck Samuels – VP & general manager – WHAM-TV, Rochester (retired); and Bob Krummenacker – VP & General Manager – WBNG-TV, Binghamton (retired).
testifying against his former boss in cases revolving around Stormy Daniels – has apparently made up with President Donald Trump. Or so says WABC owner John Catsimatidis. He tells the 
signals as WGN, Chicago; KMOX, St. Louis and 18 other affiliate stations. Sterling says, “There is something magical about overnight radio. It’s the one part of the day when listeners let down their guard and have real conversations. They share their stories, their questions, their experiences, and together we explore the fascinating, funny, mysterious, and sometimes unbelievable side of life. To be heard on legendary stations like WABC, WGN, and KMOX is both a professional milestone and a personal honor. I’m excited to spend the nights with listeners across America and build a community where every voice matters and every story is worth telling.”
the availability of professional sports programming on free, over-the-air broadcast television. The resolution comes amid growing frustration among baseball fans over the increasing number of games being placed behind streaming paywalls and spread across multiple subscription services. Morano, who previously served as host of the late-night program on WABC, New York, states, “Baseball is America’s pastime, but in New York it’s also our pastime. For generations, families could turn on the television or radio and follow their hometown team. Today, fans are often expected to juggle multiple subscriptions and streaming platforms just to watch a season’s worth of games. That’s bad for consumers, bad for working families, bad for seniors, and ultimately bad for the future of the game itself.”
and he comments on company’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and the rededication to sports programming, “Relieving that financial pressure has been liberating. We’ve got everybody swimming in the same direction. Linear broadcast, streaming digital and on-demand podcasts… they don’t compete with each other. They all sing together, like a maestro with a band.” The Fan produced an NFL Draft watch party on YouTube featuring the station’s hosts and with the success of that decided to do halftime and postgame shows on YouTube during the Knicks’ Finals series. Audacy says those livestreams are part of the reason it brings in one-third of its revenue from digital sources. 
Billionaires make predominantly good investments, which is why they are billionaires.
in the NY-12 Democratic primary race to replace US Representative Jerry Nadler on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 pm. Participating candidates will be state assemblymember Alex Bores; lawyer and activist George Conway; state assemblymember Micah Lasher; political commentator Jack Schlossberg; and scientist Nina Schwalbe. The debate will be hosted by NY1’s longtime host Errol Lewis, WNYC’s Brian Lehrer, and WNYC/Gothamist senior politics reporter Brigid Bergin.