Spoiler : Hughes was a pioneer television news commentator, and was the first anchorman and news director at WTAE-TV-Pittsburgh. In 1961, he moved to Seattle working as a local broadcasting consultant, but returned to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1978 where he lived in semi-retirement until his death.

Spoiler : He was my grandmother's uncle

Spoiler : Do you know if he left any papers behind? He was a very significant radio commentator and someone I am very interested in for my research. Any more information would greatly be appreicated. Thank you. Brian Hayashi

Spoiler : I am a historian (Professor, Kent State University) looking for the individual papers of John B. Hughes, news broadcaster for the Mutual Broadcasting Company. If anybody knows the whereabouts of these materials (Are they in Pittsburgh?), I would greatly appreciate it if you contact me.

Spoiler : Again, as a historian, I am very interested in finding his papers, something that can explain why he changed from advocating the mass removal and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II to suddenly becoming a heroic figure in calling for the protection of their rights at a critical time when voices like his and his immense influence was badly needed by Japanese Americans and others. Explaining his change during the war is critical for my research work. If you know where his papers might be or if Jeff Morris you and your family would be amenable to interviews, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Brian Hayashi

Spoiler : Thank you for your reply. he is certainly a fascinating individual one that surprisingly has no book-length or even article-length biography of him. I am hoping to write more a than couple of paragraphs on him as he advocated the mass removal and internment of Japanese Americans but once attached to Douglas MacArthur's group, changed his view on the West Coast Japanese and withdrew from his earlier position. As a historian, I need to explain why he changed. Brian Hayashi, Professor, Kent State University

Spoiler : Jack and Jeff: Thank you for your comments. I really need to follow up on John B. Hughes but need to locate more materials on him to properly document his life. I will be searching for more of his family records in the next week or two and will have to go to USC to document his education. I may have to search for Mutual's records too. i have identified the Pepsodent series recordings and will probably go see those records too, in Kansas City, MO. But if you can provide me any hints, clues, etc. I would greatly appreciate it. I will check back here again in a month.

Spoiler : Hughes, John B. (birth name was John Broughton Hughes) Born in Cozad, Nebraska 7/17/1904; died 7/15/1982. Following his education at The University of Southern California, he began his career in broadcasting as an announcer and writer at KVI- Seattle, Washington. Later he moved to KMTR-Hollywood, then in 1935 he moved to KFRC-San Francisco and the Mutual Radio Network.

Spoiler : Commentator on News and Views by John B. Hughes for Mutual-Radio (1937-1939) originating from KFRC studios; CBS-Radio (1939-1941), but continued local newscasts on KFRC. In 1941, Hughes returned to Mutual with weekday noon newscasts sponsored by Aspertane. Host of King Sized Weekly news magazine program on Mutual-Radio (1942). During WWII, Hughes was a war correspondent, and instrumental in the formation of the Armed Forces Radio Network.