David Hall

When David G. Hall first went to work at KFI-AM (640) in 1989, the station had just adopted a talk format and people were scoffing at the notion of an upstart thinking it could challenge the dominance of KABC-AM (790), the nation's first talk-radio station. When he gave up the program director's job in 2002, KFI was one of the most popular outlets in Southern California, and KABC wasn't even a close runner-up. Can he now turn the tables and do for KABC what he did for KFI?

A San Diego police officer facing hit-and-run and drunk driving charges was found dead in the backyard of his home Monday morning, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. David Hall, 41, was discovered slumped against the rear wall of his home in the Clairemont Mesa neighborhood of San Diego. His wife called police shortly after the 10 a.m. shooting. Hall, a motorcycle officer, was off duty in February when he allegedly struck another car on a freeway onramp, injuring a female passenger, and fled the scene.

Talk radio listeners may know him only as a character on the Phil Hendrie show--maybe a real person, maybe not--who provides a regular foil for the outrageous host. But few probably know how much David Hall has shaped what they're hearing.

When David G. Hall first went to work at KFI-AM (640) in 1989, the station had just adopted a talk format and people were scoffing at the notion of an upstart thinking it could challenge the dominance of KABC-AM (790), the nation's first talk-radio station. When he gave up the program director's job in 2002, KFI was one of the most popular outlets in Southern California, and KABC wasn't even a close runner-up. Can he now turn the tables and do for KABC what he did for KFI?

A San Diego police officer facing hit-and-run and drunk driving charges was found dead in the backyard of his home Monday morning, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. David Hall, 41, was discovered slumped against the rear wall of his home in the Clairemont Mesa neighborhood of San Diego. His wife called police shortly after the 10 a.m. shooting. Hall, a motorcycle officer, was off duty in February when he allegedly struck another car on a freeway onramp, injuring a female passenger, and fled the scene.

David Hall, Rice University's winningest baseball coach, will resign at the end of the season.

India's notorious "bikini killer" was recaptured, three weeks after he escaped from a New Dehli prison by drugging his guards with dope-laced sweets. Charles Sobhraj, 41, was arrested near Goa, a popular tourist resort, with David Hall, a Briton who allegedly masterminded the breakout in which six other inmates escaped, the Press Trust of India reported. Sobhraj, whose exploits were chronicled in two best-selling books, is wanted in at least eight other countries on two continents.

Completing its two-year transformation from pop music to all-talk, KFI-AM (640) has raided a Sacramento radio station to recruit a new morning talk team and a new news director in an effort to compete head-to-head with Los Angeles' three current news/talk stations. Terri-Rae Elmer and David Grosby, the agricultural reporter and sportscaster, respectively, at all-news/talk KFBK-AM in the state's capital, will replace KFI morning veterans Gary Owens and Al Lohman in their 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.

A son's love for his mother--and a mother's for her son--foiled a robbery attempt in View Park that ended with the shooting death of one of two suspects, authorities said Tuesday. "They smacked my mother," said David Hall, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound criminology student. "I'm not going to let anybody do that." Doretha Hall, 47, was returning from work about 8 p.m.

When the Rev. David Hall dons his robe and steps to the pulpit, he delivers the Word with a passion that has fortified his parishioners for years. But now, threatened with losing his career, the leader of Ventura's Trinity Lutheran Church is spending a lot of time talking about healing. A controversy over allegations of inappropriate behavior by the pastor has shaken the 1,000-member congregation. Worshipers are leaving, an associate pastor plans to resign and a possible lawsuit looms.

Talk radio listeners may know him only as a character on the Phil Hendrie show--maybe a real person, maybe not--who provides a regular foil for the outrageous host. But few probably know how much David Hall has shaped what they're hearing.

After studying Vice President Al Gore's economic plan, revealed to the public Sept. 6, I was left wondering where the "plan" part was. He gave us his "wish list" but failed to tell us specifically how he would accomplish these very lofty and admirable goals. While calling George W. Bush's plan a risky and vague "scheme," he failed to provide the details of his own exceedingly optimistic, government-led agenda, as if just hoping that his own plan will work makes it more realistic. I guess that's what we should expect from members of the administration, who can't explain what they did the last eight years to trigger a recovery that began the year before they took office.

David Hall gave Australia a clean sweep in singles at the U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships, claiming his second title in three years Sunday at the Racquet Club of Irvine. Third-seeded Hall defeated Germany's Kai Schraymayer, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, in the men's open division to claim Australia's second Open title. Countrywoman Daniela DiToro won the women's title Saturday.

Costa Mesa's David Hall is tired of being labeled. He's tired of the stares he gets when he rolls by people. Mandatory "wheelchair glances" he calls them. He just wants to be recognized as an athlete. He wants his talent on the tennis court to do the talking. Hall, who 10 years ago had both legs amputated just above the knee after an accident, is the defending U.S. Open wheelchair tennis champion in singles and doubles, and one of the top-ranked players in the world.

David Hall, Rice University's winningest baseball coach, will resign at the end of the season.

After studying Vice President Al Gore's economic plan, revealed to the public Sept. 6, I was left wondering where the "plan" part was. He gave us his "wish list" but failed to tell us specifically how he would accomplish these very lofty and admirable goals. While calling George W. Bush's plan a risky and vague "scheme," he failed to provide the details of his own exceedingly optimistic, government-led agenda, as if just hoping that his own plan will work makes it more realistic. I guess that's what we should expect from members of the administration, who can't explain what they did the last eight years to trigger a recovery that began the year before they took office.

David Hall gave Australia a clean sweep in singles at the U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships, claiming his second title in three years Sunday at the Racquet Club of Irvine. Third-seeded Hall defeated Germany's Kai Schraymayer, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, in the men's open division to claim Australia's second Open title. Countrywoman Daniela DiToro won the women's title Saturday.

A son's love for his mother--and a mother's for her son--foiled a robbery attempt in View Park that ended with the shooting death of one of two suspects, authorities said Tuesday. "They smacked my mother," said David Hall, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound criminology student. "I'm not going to let anybody do that." Doretha Hall, 47, was returning from work about 8 p.m.

Completing its two-year transformation from pop music to all-talk, KFI-AM (640) has raided a Sacramento radio station to recruit a new morning talk team and a new news director in an effort to compete head-to-head with Los Angeles' three current news/talk stations. Terri-Rae Elmer and David Grosby, the agricultural reporter and sportscaster, respectively, at all-news/talk KFBK-AM in the state's capital, will replace KFI morning veterans Gary Owens and Al Lohman in their 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.