King among inductees to Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame

The Nevada Broadcasters Association honored CNN's Larry King for his 50 years of work in broadcasting with membership in its Hall of Fame during its annual gala Aug. 18 at Red Rock Resort.

About 350 guests attended the event, which also honored Nevada broadcasters and association members who have played a significant role in society.

The Emmy Award-winning King has hosted "Larry King Live" on CNN since 1985. His early fame was in Miami, where he hosted interview programs on radio and television. His Mutual Radio's "The Larry King Show" ran from 1978 to 1994.

In addition to broadcasting, King founded the Larry King Cardiac Foundation to provide cardiac procedures for needy children, and he established a $1 million journalism scholarship at George Washington University for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation also was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Among its founders in 1948 was Leonard Goldenson, who also started and served as chairman of the ABC network.

The foundation was represented by Dr. Mindy Lipson Aisen of Washington, D.C., chief executive officer; Gail Bershon, development officer; and Loreen Arbus, Goldenson's daughter.

KKLV-AM/FM in Fallon was inducted into the Hall of Fame on its 50th anniversary.

Receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards were recently retired veteran newscaster Tad Dunbar of KOLO-TV, Channel 8 in Reno; Torrey and Joyce Sheen of KWNA-AM/FM in Winnemucca; and Gene Greenberg, who recently retired as general manager of KVBC-TV, Channel 3 in Las Vegas and was past president of the Nevada Broadcasters Association.

Community Achievement Award winners included Luther Mack Jr., president and owner of KRXI-TV, Channel 11 in Reno; and the late Hal Rothman, who was a history professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and appeared in documentaries and hosted a radio show. His award was accepted by his wife, Lauralee.

Also among the 2007 inductees to the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame were: Harvey Allen, Jodie Dames, Tim Foley, Neil Hoff, Curtis Hostettler, Lugina Jason, Dave Linder, the single-named Melanie, Jamie Osborn, Bob Patrick, Joe Reynolds, Dick Shannon, Matt Sherwood and Larry Wood, all of Las Vegas, along with Jennifer "Stephanie" Roberts of Las Vegas and San Diego.

Other inductees included Crystal Bartorelli, Lori Gilbert, Laura Gunter and Terry Hritz, all of Elko; Bill Oar and Ted Romero of Fallon; Jim Fannin, Joe Hart, Fern Hutchins and Christopher Roy, all of Reno; Steve Diamond of Carson City and Reno; and Steve Kindred of Reno and Los Angeles.

NBA Hall of Fame honorees received engraved marble obelisks.

Gov. Jim Gibbons made a special presentation of a crystal guitar to Lawson Fox, the association's outgoing board chairman. The new chairman is Dane Wilt.

Mistress of ceremonies was Wendy Damonte of KTVN-TV, Channel 2 in Reno.

The event opened with a reception that offered a selection of hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction and an opportunity to talk with King.

Among the guests in attendance were first lady Dawn Gibbons, Leslie Hart, Mary Beth Farrell, Chris Johnson, Adrienne Abbott, Melanie Greenberg, Lorri and Dale Davidson, Brandy Newman, Darrin Damonte, LuAnn Harrison, Jacki Baskow, Adrian Zmed, Denny Weddle, Elizabeth Urias, Chuck Baker, Linda and Barry Thigpen, Raegan Hritz, Betsy Lawson, Sharry and Ted Quillin, Genie Mack and daughter, Janelle; DeShawna Turner, Earlene Lefler and Adam Sandler.