Twenty‑five years after the September 11 attacks, former WTOP anchors and reporters gathered to recount the chaotic morning when the nation’s deadliest terrorist act unfolded on U.S. soil. Their stories illustrate how a local news team in Washington, D.C. pivoted from a celebratory sports broadcast to covering a historic tragedy that still reverberates in the capital.
From basketball news to breaking national news
Johnson, who was WTOP’s Sports Director in 2001, remembered waking up at 3:30 a.m. feeling “giddy” about reporting Michael Jordan’s return to the Washington Wizards. The morning show, anchored by Mike Moss and Richard Day, was set to feature the basketball legend when the first plane struck the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. Johnson said the video of the impact was “something I could not comprehend,” and his sports segment was instantly abandoned.
First reports from the Pentagon
When United Airlines Flight 175 hit the south tower at 9:03 a.m., news director Mike McMearty dispatched a reporter to Ronald Reagan National Airport. Upon arriving, the reporter saw dark smoke and learned a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. He drove toward the Pentagon, battling a brand‑new telephone system that dropped calls, and reported heavy smoke from Interstate 395. Anchor Mike Moss relayed the information to listeners, noting the unprecedented sight of smoke billowing from the military headquarters.
Personal connections and family worries
WTOP anchor Bruce Alan, whose family lived and worked in New York City, described the immediate concern for loved ones. He called a friend across from the World Trade Center, who realized the severity of the situation only after seeing the towers. Alan’s sister, who worked in lower Manhattan, walked from Wall Street to her parents’ apartment on the Upper West Side, emerging covered in dust but unharmed.
School closures and community anxiety
In the D.C. area, several school districts dismissed students early. Alan recalled the panic surrounding children’s safety, describing the day as “crazy.” Reporter Brennan Haselton, attempting to reach the Pentagon, was misled by reports of a fire in Rosslyn and a false bombing claim at the State Department. He later observed police officers on the Supreme Court roof using binoculars to confirm that all hijacked planes had been accounted for.
Faith, prayer, and a city in shock
On his way back to the newsroom, Haselton entered a church on Massachusetts Avenue that had posted a sign reading “Open for prayer.” He spoke with the pastor, noting the emotional weight of the moment for the congregation. The experience underscored how faith communities in the capital rallied to offer comfort amid the terror.
Ground‑level reporting on the National Mall
Reporter Amy Morris, now an anchor with Bloomberg News, spent the afternoon walking the National Mall, the White House, and downtown streets, seeking anyone willing to share their experience. By 1:30 p.m., D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams declared a state of emergency, and residents were evacuating on foot, in cars, and via rides with strangers. Morris found a payphone on the Mall with a line of about 40 people, each trying to call home to assure family members they were safe.
Long‑term impact on a veteran reporter
Combat‑decorated veteran and anchor Chas Henry recalled driving past the Pentagon just minutes before the impact. Though his memory of that day is fragmented, he noted that the experience redirected his career toward national‑security reporting for the remainder of his tenure at WTOP.
Remembering a day that changed a city
These recollections highlight the unique role local journalists played in delivering real‑time information during a national crisis. Their firsthand accounts serve as a reminder of the resilience of Washington, D.C.’s news community and the importance of faithful, family‑centered reporting in moments of profound tragedy.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
