Tony Hanson, Mainstay of KYW Newsradio, Caps Off Four-Decade Reporting Career
- BELOW: A Tribute-in-Sound to Tony Hanson's Career
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's a bittersweet day around KYW Newsradio: our longtime colleague and friend Tony Hanson is retiring today, ending a storied, 37-year career at KYW Newsradio.
If there's a major, life-changing story, we often ask, "Do you remember where you were when..."
Chances are, Tony Hanson was there.
From the MOVE standoff and subsequent conflagration, to the historic tragedy in New York City on September 11th, 2001, whether the story was about a heinous crime or a sports championship, he was there for us, providing on-the-spot descriptions and well-sourced information.
Hanson's primary beat as a KYW Newsradio reporter was the courts and the cops. It seemed like every officer and every lawyer in town either knew Tony or had gone to West Catholic High School with him -- or both.
And on the radio, Hanson always presented his often tragic or gruesome stories with unparalleled empathy.
"People were going through, in many cases, the worst moments of their lives," he recalled for us today. "It was the most important story in the world to them."
Now, after 37 years at KYW, Hanson is retiring one day before his 60th birthday, to begin a new life that doesn't involve, among other things, chasing fire trucks.
"I have a tee time Saturday morning at 9:36," he noted with a smile.
Beyond that, he says, maybe some photography, maybe teaching. But Tony should know that he was teaching us about excellent reportage long before his retirement.
Best wishes to Tony Hanson from all your friends and colleagues at KYW Newsradio 1060!
Hear KYW Newsradio's on-air tribute to Tony Hanson in this "Reporters' Roundup" podcast (runs 7:29)...
