ABC NEWS AND ABC OWNED TELEVISION STATIONS ANNOUNCE EXPANDED ‘SOCAL STRONG’ COVERAGE IN SUPPORT OF LOS ANGELES-AREA COMMUNITIES AMID THE DEVASTATING WILDFIRES

Following anchor and managing editor David Muir and the “World News Tonight” team reporting from Los Angeles last week, ABC News announced today that “Good Morning America” will broadcast live from the Los Angeles area on Friday, Jan. 17, as ABC News Group expands its “SoCal Strong” (#SoCalStrong) coverage across platforms. The network-wide relief effort supporting Los Angeles-area communities impacted by the devastating wildfires will be focused on driving recovery, rebuilding and resilience and highlighting ways that viewers can support local organizations helping SoCal families rebuild their lives.

The coverage kicks off with “Good Morning America” co-anchors Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan and chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent Ginger Zee, broadcasting live from various locations across Southern California. Chief national correspondent Matt Gutman and correspondent and ABC News Live anchor Kayna Whitworth, who have been covering the fires since last week, will join the coverage.

Beginning with “Good Morning America First Look” at 4 a.m. EST and into “Good Morning America,” ABC’s “GMA” family will highlight the many communities in Southern California that were impacted and inform viewers how to support the relief effort and area families. Singer Aloe Blacc will join the broadcast performing his song “Shine (Aurora)” live on location. Additionally, children’s choir The High Notes will perform live with their original song “The Light in Me, the Light in You” during the broadcast.

ABC News Live, the network’s 24/7 streaming news channel available on Disney+, Hulu and other digital platforms, will stream day-long programming featuring stories of charity and compassion, including in-depth interviews with people across the impacted communities as the recovery begins. Whitworth will continue her on-the-ground coverage starting at 9 a.m. on the channel, with additional reporting from Gutman throughout the day, sharing impactful stories of local heroes, recovery efforts and critical resources available to residents. Whitworth will anchor a special edition of her weekday broadcast, “ABC News Live Reports,” from 4 to 7 p.m. EST from Altadena. “SoCal Strong” coverage will continue across ABC News Live into the weekend.

Additional coverage will also air across ABC News Group programs and platforms, including the following:

“GMA3: What You Need to Know” will exclusively report on donations and share the powerful story of a family who tragically lost multiple homes. Additionally, a special “Faith Friday” segment will be broadcast from Los Angeles, focusing on the resilience and hope that continues to emerge in the wake of tragedy.

ABC News Digital will highlight key coverage throughout the day with live updates, including resources on how to help those affected by the wildfires. ABC News will also be promoting coverage across social accounts using the hashtag #SoCalStrong.

ABC News Radio correspondent Alex Stone will lead coverage, reporting across the fire zone Friday and will highlight the communities’ efforts towards recovery and rebuilding. Host Brad Mielke will speak to families who have lost their homes on ABC News’ flagship podcast “Start Here,” with a focus on the middle- and working-class families that have been affected.

ABC7 Eyewitness News (KABC-TV Los Angeles) will air “SoCal Strong,” an uplifting live special showcasing outstanding instances of local unity in the wake of the devastation from the fires. Led by Eyewitness News anchor Marc Brown, the special report will highlight the powerful community spirit displayed by neighbors helping one another, as well as the selflessness demonstrated by strangers who unite in times of crisis. The special will air live on ABC7 on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. PST and will be available to stream across the station’s linear and digital platforms.

“World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Nightline,” “The View” and “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” will also cover the latest from wildfires and the ongoing relief and recovery effort.

Emmy® Award-winning “GMA,” featuring the anchor team of Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Strahan and chief meteorologist Ginger Zee, airs live Monday-Friday (7:00-9:00 a.m. EST) on ABC. Simone Swink is the senior executive producer.

Watch announcement on “GMA” here.

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ABC News Media Relations
Brooks Lancaster
brooks.lancaster@abc.com

Jordan Littlejohn
jordan.littlejohn@abc.com

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