PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After nearly 24 years, KYW Newsradio’s multifaceted and beloved reporter, editor and anchor Mark Abrams has announced his retirement from broadcast journalism.
Abrams has been a staple in the newsroom from his arrival, and his experience spans even further. Before he joined the KYW team, he worked as a talk show producer, reporter, anchor and news director at the former WHUM in Reading, Pennsylvania. He also anchored at WPEN and WIP.
He flipped to print media for nearly 18 years, serving as a reporter, columnist and desk editor for the Reading Eagle and Reading Times newspapers. He covered a variety of local and national beats, ranging from the impact of the Three Mile Island accident in Harrisburg in 1979, to most notably, the selections of two different popes, live from the Vatican, both in 2005 and 2013.
He has extensively covered the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Catholic community, including the papal visit in Philadelphia in 2015. He has also upheld the principles of the Boy Scouts of America, which presented him with an Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2017.
Frankly, Abrams has done it all, and his KYW family will miss him.
“Mark Abrams has long been a versatile part of the KYW Newsradio family,” said midday news anchor Michelle Durham. “I wish you the best of luck in retirement. Your family’s always been your first priority, and I’m so thrilled that you will have an opportunity to spend more time with them.”
“Congrats on a long, successful career, and I hope you have a relaxing retirement,” said morning drive reporter Tim Jimenez. “You deserve it.”
Longtime anchor David Madden: “I'll tell you, the one thing that I’m going to miss the most is your professionalism. You’re an old-school guy.”
Morning drive sports reporter Dave Uram: “I think a perfect way to describe your role on KYW for nearly 24 years is versatile. Reporter, anchor, editor — you did it all, and you did it with professionalism, enthusiasm and leadership.”
Morning drive editor Phil Casey: “Congratulations on an illustrious career. You have many great stories to share around the campfire.”
Evening news anchor Steve Tawa: “I will certainly miss your friendly presence in the newsroom.”
Anchor and reporter Lynne Adkins: “Mark, I seriously wish you all the best, happy days with your family, more sleep, and a much shorter commute.”
Morning drive editor Conner Barkon: “You’re a true professional and your dedication to the job says a lot about who you are as a person. Thanks for always lending a hand. Enjoy plenty of camping trips in the future and time with family. I wish you a happy retirement.”
Reporter Mike DeNardo: “It’s been a blast working with you for the past couple of decades. I wish you a restful and fulfilling retirement. Life is short, so it’s great that you have found happiness. I wish all the best to you and Sue. Now if you’ll excuse me, Father Gill is on the other line.”
Reporter Kim Glovas: “I will always remember you, Mark, as the new guy who came in from the newspaper. And how many years ago was that? You've always been a fair, even-handed reporter who did the deep dive into a story, and you’ve also been a font of information for the young ones coming up through the ranks.”
Writer and digital editor Andre Bennett: “You’ve always been so encouraging, and not just to me, but to everybody.”
Crime and justice reporter Kristen Johanson: “Mark, congratulations on your retirement. Thanks for all you did for KYW. And hopefully now you can at least get some rest and relaxation.”
Morning drive anchor Carol MacKenzie: “Your smiling face will be missed here in the KYW newsroom. I wish you health and happiness in your retirement.”
Reporter Hadas Kuznits: “I love that you’re following your heart, following your family dreams, and I really, really do wish you the best. Happy retirement, Mark.”
News production assistant Greg Glenn: “We might not hear your voice anymore on 1060 kilohertz — or on 103.9 megahertz, for that matter — but I’m sure we’ll hear you quite often on the ham bands racking up the QSOs. I’m going to miss all your stories, Mark. Happy roads ahead to you.”
Morning drive anchor Ian Bush: “Thank you for your mentorship and dedication to this radio station over the decades, and I wish you a long and happy retirement.”
There’s no better way to say adieu than from Abrams’ live coverage of Philadelphia’s massive 2015 papal visit, so with that, he signs off: “This is Mark Abrams. May God bless you and your families. The city of Philadelphia, we say good night to you from the Parkway.”
Listen to KYW's on-air farewell tribute to Abrams on Audacy Rewind (1:54:00).