When the Power went out in San Diego at 3:40 p.m. Thursday, several radio stations were knocked off the air. But within minutes, KOGO am-600 Program Director Cliff Albert was on with Live, local continuing coverage. By taking unscreened calls from listeners he established, half an hour before any “official” announcement, that this was a Countywide event, as people from Carlsbad to Jamul to National City said they’d lost power too. Soon after, Albert’s calm, reassuring genial voice was heard on half-a-dozen other Sister stations, keeping San Diegans informed with a no-nonsense approach. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, this may have been San Diego Radio’s “Finest Hour”. As I write this at 10:55 p.m., he is still anchoring coverage, 7 hours into the crisis. Bravo, Cliff Albert. You are a “Public Utility” who has never failed San Diego. You trusted us to hear the Truth directly, and squelched panic or rumors before they could even get started. We are in your Debt.
Also helping in KOGO’s reports today were respected newsman Phil Farrar, and popular talk hosts LaDona Harvey and Chris Reed.
Cliff Albert has guided KOGO’s longtime successful news talk format for 15+ years, and created the annual “Bethlehem Report” which is a beloved Christmas season favorite.