YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society recently honored Dan Rivers, a former WKBN-AM 570 talk show host, with its Pioneer Award.
The award is presented yearly by the historical society in recognition of community leaders.
Rivers retired from the air in late 2024 after being a fixture of Mahoning Valley daytime radio for decades. Known for interviewing local elected officials, personalities and a variety of nonprofit leaders, he was an advocate for transparency in government decision-making, small government, common sense, patriotism and American values.
The award was presented to Rivers in recognition of his “contribution to the Valley’s civic and cultural welfare,” a news release from the historical society states. “He was literally the voice of reason during many decades of oftentimes local, state and national turbulent changes and challenges. [He] was seen by faithful listeners as a dependable spokesperson, arbitrator or a devil’s advocate for the pressing issues of the day.”