Bomber Podcast Special to Air Tomorrow
BOMBER tells the untold story of how law enforcement hunted down the 2018 Austin serial bomber and brought 19 days of terror to a sudden, cataclysmic end. Hosted by TEGNA journalist and national Verify correspondent, Jason Puckett, the first episode, “A Loud Boom,” debuts tomorrow, Friday, March 15.
“Audiences trust the original content we bring them every day,” adds Will Johnson, TEGNA’s Executive Producer, Audio and Podcasts. “Bringing stories like BOMBER to a mass audience through podcasting is a next logical step to expand our formats and serve our audience in new, innovative ways.”
“BOMBER provides an inside look at the fear, panic and frantic hunt for the Austin bomber, including the harrowing twists and turns, the dead ends and the shocking end to a case that Austin residents will never forget,” said Puckett. “As a reporter dedicated to separating fact from fiction in the news and social media, I’m honored to host a podcast that reveals the truth and offers transparency surrounding the behind-the-scenes pursuit.”
Over the course of 19 days in March 2018, 23-year old Mark Anthony Conditt planted a series of homemade bombs around Austin neighborhoods, killing two, injuring five others, and paralyzing an entire city. As SWAT officers finally closed in on the fleeing suspect, he blew himself up inside his car.
With first-hand accounts from residents, witnesses, victims’ families, Austin’s Police Chief Brian Manley, KVUE and Austin American Statesman Reporter Tony Plohetski, KVUE Reporters Erica Proffer and Jay Wallis, BOMBER will bring listeners the incredible story of how investigators used a FedEx security camera, cell phones, and round-the-clock work to catch-up with Conditt. The podcast will also seek to answer many of the questions that are still unresolved one year later, including what drove Conditt’s murderous spree to how he chose his victims and why the Austin Police Department says the case is still open despite the FBI closing its investigation.
A sneak peek of BOMBER was released in tandem with the March 8 premiere of KVUE’s half-hour special, “Stopping the Austin Bomber.” In partnership with the Austin American Statesman,host and KVUE reporter Tony Plohetski takes viewers inside the 19-day, joint law enforcement investigation of the Austin serial bomber. Along with an extensive magazine style article recounting the timeline and events, “Stopping the Austin Bomber” is currently available to view in its entirety on KVUE.com/AustinBomber and www.statesman.com.
BOMBER will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, TEGNA’s owned-and-operated digital platforms, and every major listening platform. A new episode will be released every Friday, March 15 – April 19. Beginning Friday, March 15, please visit www.bomberpodcast.com for more information. Listeners can also engage in the social media conversation by using #BomberPodcast.
ABOUT VAULT Studios
VAULT Studios is an in-house production and distribution studio that combines TEGNA’S vast archive of investigative reporting with modern digital storytelling to develop new, original, cross-platform content offerings. Created in 2019, VAULT’s initial slate of programming focuses on true crime, cold cases and unsolved mysteries from TEGNA’s 49 television stations in 41 markets. VAULT’S offerings are distributed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and on TEGNA’s owned-and-operated digital platforms.
ABOUT TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 49 television stations and two radio stations in 41 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms. It is the largest owner of top 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching one-third of all television households nationwide. Each month, TEGNA reaches 50 million adults on-air and approximately 30 million across its digital platforms. TEGNA has been consistently honored with the industry’s top awards, including Edward R. Murrow, George Polk, Alfred I. DuPont and Emmy Awards. TEGNA also delivers innovative and unparalleled solutions for advertisers through TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS). TMS is a one-stop shop that helps businesses thrive through an unmatched suite of services and solutions that reach consumers across television, email, social and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.
