By Kim Anderson
New City, NY – Rockland News is stepping into a new era of local reporting, recently with the launch of its morning livestream program, AM Rockland.
Airing weekdays at approximately 7:30 a.m., the show has quickly established itself as a platform for timely discussions on local news, community events, economic development, and public issues such as workforce housing. The episodes also include discussions with numerous Town Supervisors, Village Mayors, as well as Senator Bill Weber, Congressman Mike Lawler and County Executive Ed Day.
The online publication, which began in 2020 at RocklandNews.com, has long focused on delivering local stories. The new livestream format provides an engaging venue for both news delivery and in-depth interviews with influential community leaders.
Today’s episode featured Haverstraw Supervisor Howard Phillips and Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, who discussed updates on infrastructure projects, memorials, and safety initiatives. Future guests include County Executive Ed Day, State Senator Bill Weber, and other town supervisors, solidifying the show’s role as a bridge between local government and the community.
Retailers and business owners have poured in to advertise, simikar to the way they had for years on WRCR AM 1700. For instance, St. Thomas Acquinas College recently cemented a short term deal with Rockland News to advertise the Sparkill-based college all summer on its show, as a ticket sponsor for the upcoming Rockland Music Fest, scheduled for September 27th at Clover Stadium. Kobe Sushi Lounge recently advertised its upcoming grand opening of their new music venue, set to open for ticketholders at 1 pm on Saturday. According to the restaurant owner, tickets are already sold out.
WABC Simulcasting Shows onto WRCR AM 1700, Awaits FCC Sale Approval
The shift comes at a pivotal time in local news broadcasting. WRCR AM 1700, formerly a key outlet for community programming for many years, is transitioning ownership to Red Apple Media. However, the sale is not complete – as there is a transition phase that is monitored by the FCC. You can view status here.
With their AM 770 band now simulcasting onto 1700 and many prior show hosts, such as Jeff and Will’s morning show, Bob Trivero’s Doo Wop Dream Machine, and the Gumbo Ya Ya radio show, placed on indefinite hiatus, AM Rockland has filled a critical gap in live reporting.
(Editor’s note: Doo Wop Dream Machine and Gumbo Ya Ya maintained their own podcast separately from WRCR Radio)
Tom Ossa, owner of Rockland News and current morning host of AM Rockland, emphasized the need for continuity in local coverage. “Yeah, we’re not waiting to find out if local is coming back from anywhere else, or not,” Ossa said. “We have been podcasting news and interviews for several years now, so the logical next step is to do the morning show. Thankfully, we have a great team in the background – that gather the news, report the news and edit the news.”
Ossa added as a quip, “Eventually, we’ll have some great live personalities as hosts and co-hosts. I’d say they have to be better than me but that’s setting the bar too low.”
Ossa, who brings 18 years of digital experience through his work on and in his first company, Rockland Web Design, is leveraging a robust network of local contacts to curate interviews that resonate with Rockland’s residents. He also expressed a commitment to objectivity and public service. “It’s a public service for now… and I must make clear that AM 770 and AM 1700 is set up for emergency broadcasting, and we are not. So that is something we will be happy to refer to AM 1700 and 770 – for the public to rely on in the event of a serious emergency,” he added.
As the platform continues to grow, AM Rockland invites public participation and is actively searching for co-hosts. The show’s blend of factual reporting and insightful commentary is quickly making it a staple for Rockland County residents looking to stay informed. “We’re adding call-in at the beginning of June. You’ll be able to call in from your smartphone or computer, with a simple link. No StarTacs, please.”
New listeners can subscribe to AM Rockland on Facebook or YouTube. A polished version of each podcast is available at https://rocklandsound.com, most afternoons – and includes interviews with interesting people and advocates across Rockland County.
