Northland flood relief telethon set for Thursday

Members of the local media are teaming up for a telethon to benefit the United Way of Greater Duluth’s flood fund.

Northland’s NewsCenter, WDIO/WIRT and WDSE-TV will broadcast the flood relief telethon starting at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Each station will feature footage of flood coverage, interviews with people affected and statements from state lawmakers during its regular news block. The phone lines will be manned by TV news anchors; regional politicians such as Duluth Mayor Don Ness and Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen; and Robin Washington, editor of the Duluth News Tribune.

Twelve phone lines will be set up at WDSE to accept donations from 4-7 p.m.

“We’ve been covering these stories and seeing how great the need is and talking to politicians and leaders,” said Barbara Reyelts, news director at Northland’s NewsCenter and one of the event’s organizers. “There is really a belief that the individual losses will not be compensated in any way other than help from neighbors. We have the means to get the word out there and get people to help their neighbors.”

The United Way has a goal of hitting $1 million in its long-term flood relief fund, Reyelts said.

Tags: flood info, how to help, news, flood, updates