AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Summer is almost over and everyone is focused on back-to-school.  What’s hot – what’s not?  School starts early in many states – and with stiff competition for airtime it is best to get your story pitched early for the best results.

August

• Back to School Month
• National Immunization Awareness Month
• Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
• Hurricane Katrina Fifth Year Anniversary – week of August 28  

September

• National Skin Care Awareness Month
• ADHD Month
• National Food Allergy Awareness Month
• Backpack Safety America Month
• Labor Day – Monday, September 6
• Rosh Hashanah – Wednesday, September 8 (begins at sundown)
• 9-11 Anniversary – Saturday, September 11
• Yom Kippur – Friday, September 17 (begins at sundown)
• Autumn begins – Wednesday, September 22

OCTOBER
School is in fill swing and fall has arrived around the corner.  This is a good time to start planning your holiday stories whether it is Halloween, Thanksgiving or even Christmas.  And, how about segments on winterizing your garden, home and car. 

• National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• National Book Month
• Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month
• Major League Baseball World Series (dates TBD)
• Columbus Day – Monday, October 11
• Halloween – Sunday, October 31

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER (HOLIDAY SEASON)
Holiday season is here, which means that segments from gift-givingn to holiday decor and entertaining are being pitched to the media. Make sure to create an angle that will have your story standing out from the crowd. If you haven’t planned your holiday segment earlier tin the year – now is the time to look forward to New Year’s stories and beyond. Don’t forget – November is a huge sweeps perios for television news programs.

November

• NOVEMBER SWEEPS - Thursday, November 4 to Wednesday, December 1
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month
• American Diabetes Month
• National Adoption Month
• National AIDS Awareness Month
• Daylight Savings Times Ends/Fall Back – Sunday, November 7
• General Election Day – Tuesday, November 2
• Veterans Day – Thursday, November 11
• Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 25
• Black Friday – Friday, November 26

December

• National Drugged and Drunk Driving Month 
• National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month
• World AIDS Day – Wednesday, December 1
• Hanukkah – Wednesday, December 1 (begins at sundown)
• First Day of Winter – Tuesday, December 21
• Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25