Recommended Free Tools
Jon Burnett, a longtime KDKA-TV host and weather forecaster, died on February 20, 2025, at age 71. At the time, KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh attributed to his neurologist, UPMC cognitive neurologist Dr. Joseph Malone, the statement that Burnett died from complications of suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Months later, CBS Pittsburgh reported that an autopsy found CTE pathology meeting current diagnostic criteria, alongside other neurodegenerative diseases; it said Alzheimer’s disease was the primary cause of his symptoms.
What was reported about Jon Burnett’s death?
In its February 20, 2025 report, KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh said Burnett had died at 71 and attributed the statement that he died of complications from suspected CTE to Dr. Malone. The word “suspected” reflected the diagnosis as it was described during Burnett’s life and in the initial death report—not a postmortem confirmation.
Burnett had been diagnosed with suspected CTE by Malone, according to CBS Pittsburgh’s February 12, 2024 report. At that time, definitive diagnosis required examining the brain after death. That distinction explains why the February 2025 report used qualified language.
What did the later autopsy report find?
On October 15, 2025, CBS Pittsburgh reported that examination of Burnett’s brain after death found CTE pathology sufficient to meet current diagnostic criteria. The report described the finding as borderline and atypical. Dr. Julia Kofler, director of the University of Pittsburgh’s National Sports Brain Bank, said: “The big question was, of course, does he have chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE? And he did have some borderline pathology for that, just enough to meet current diagnostic criteria.”
#1 Best Overall
- NOAA Weather Scan & Alert - This emergency weather alert radio features S.A.M.E localized programming and alert you to over 60 kinds of weather hazards and emergencies. NOAA Weather Scan will automatically alert you of events.
- S.A.M.E Localized Programming - The Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.) allows the user to enter a code that is specific to your country, state, county and in some cases partial county.
- Notification Settings - Program your radio to receive weather alerts from up to 25 different counties and be alerted only when those specific counties are threatened. Color-coded alert indicators show the alert type and its severity.
- Additional Features - SAME localized programming, continuous backlighting option which keeps the LCD on, 25 programmable counties, color-coded alert indicators, alert override automatically switches to warn of impending danger.
- Experience a comprehensive range of radios from Midland, designed to keep you connected and informed. Our radios offer an array of features, including reliable real-time weather alerts, and robust two-way communication capabilities.
The same CBS report said the autopsy revealed several neurodegenerative diseases and that Alzheimer’s disease was the primary cause of Burnett’s symptoms. The postmortem CTE finding and the reported primary cause of symptoms are distinct points; the reporting does not say that CTE alone accounted for every symptom.
What was known about Burnett’s football history?
Burnett told CBS Pittsburgh in 2024 that he began playing tackle football at age 10, continued through college—including at the University of Tennessee—and experienced two major concussions. He also estimated that he had sustained repeated head impacts during games. Malone described repetitive head injuries as the main risk factor for CTE, saying: “The main risk factor is something we call repetitive head injuries, or RHI, and this reflects multiple bonks to the head essentially.”
Rank #2
- NOAA Weather Scan + Alert: NOAA Weather Scan will automatically scan through 10 available weather (WX) band channels and locks onto the strongest weather channel to alert you of severe weather updates. NOAA Weather Alert will sound an alarm indicating that there is a risk of severe weather in your area. NOAA Weather Radio will also be used to broadcast AMBER alerts for missing children.
- S.A.M.E Programming: Improve your emergency preparedness with equipped with digital S.A.M.E. technology, weather radio seamlessly connects to your county's warning system, providing you with instant weather updates from the National Weather Service. Features a convenient USB output, allowing you to charge your devices directly from the radio itself. Program up to 25 counties and choose from 80 different emergency alerts, this advanced weather radio from Midland ensures that you stay informed.
- Warning System: Experience customizable alert options with the WR400 Warning System. You have the flexibility to choose how you want to be alerted, whether it's through an 85 dB siren alarm, a voice alert, or a visual LED flasher. 80 different emergency alerts to keep you informed about various critical situations. Emergency power backup functionality. By using four "AA" batteries (not included), ensure that the radio continues to operate during power outages or when you're using it outdoors.
- Features: Experience the convenience of an Alarm Clock Radio with the Midland WR400. Features a built-in clock with an alarm and a snooze button, along with an AM/FM radio. Wake up to your choice of local weather updates, AM/FM radio stations, or a traditional buzzing alarm. Automatically switches from AM/FM mode to relevant all-hazard alerts, and you'll receive important emergency alerts without having to manually switch modes. Stay informed and start your day off right.
- Alarm Clock: The built-in clock features an alarm with a snooze button and a AM/FM Radio. Wake up to local weather, AM/FM, or buzz. It automatically switches from AM/FM to pertinent all-hazard alerts.
That history provides medical context, but it does not establish which particular hit or hits caused Burnett’s brain pathology. Burnett also reflected on the trade-off in the interview: “Would I do it all over again? Absolutely. Would I try to protect my head a little bit more? I’d try, but I don’t know if it would have helped or not.”
Burnett’s career at KDKA-TV
KDKA-TV hired Burnett in 1982 to co-host Evening Magazine. He later co-hosted Pittsburgh 2Day, worked as a weather forecaster, and co-hosted Pittsburgh Today Live for 11 years. He retired from the station in 2019.
Rank #3
- 【Portable Shortwave AM FM Radio With NOAA】Equipped with advanced DSP chip, our portable am fm radio ensures you catch every station loud and clear.The portable digital radio supports 4 bands,FM87-108MHz, AM520-1710 KHZ,SW 4.75-21.85MHZ,WB162.400-162.550MHZ,even the faintest signals, ensuring you enjoy uninterrupted broadcasts no matter where you are.Our NOAA Weather Radio ensures you receive real-time alerts and updates directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,help you prepare for disasters in advance.
- 【1250 Rechargeable Battery&Flashlight】The rechargable shortwave radio comes with a durable built-in 1250mAh rechargeable battery,you can enjoy up to 10-12 hours of music and news on a single charge(using type-c), without the hassle of replacing batteries. Whether you're at the beach, camping, or just enjoying a picnic in the park, you can take this walkman radio with you.The rechargable AM FM radio also comes with a flashlight that allows you to illuminate the environment in case of an emergency.
- 【5W Large Speaker Clear Sound】Experience the sound louder and clearer than any other radio speaker.The built-in 5W large speaker give you high sound quality more clearer and no noise,you can enjoy your favorite radio programs with clear sound on this portable am fm radio.This portable am fm radio has a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can plug in your headphones and enjoy music without anyone bothering you.Whether you're at home, in the garden or on the go,our radio offers 6 EQ stereo sound effects tailored for every occasion.
- 【5.4 Bluetooth&TF Card Playback】This digital shortwave radio isn't just about FM frequencies,it doubles as an MP3 player!Whether it's your smartphone, tablet or laptop, this bluetooth radio connects effortlessly.5W large speakers can be used as your bluetooth speaker to play your favorite songs. With a built-in TF card slot, you can easily play your personalized playlists songs directly from your TF card.Enjoy crystal-clear sound quality while playing all your favorite songs on this bluetooth radio.
- 【User-Friendly Controls & Back Clip】No complicated operations, the small digital radio has clear operation buttons and simple settings are convenient for you to use. With an industrial design appearance, intuitive controls and a large bright digital display make it easy to navigate your stations and settings.Designed for music lovers on the go, this small am fm radio has back clip and wrist strap,it can easily attaches to your bag or belt, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite tunes anywhere.
How Burnett’s story affected brain donation
Burnett and his family chose to participate in the University of Pittsburgh’s National Sports Brain Bank in early 2024, according to KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh. His funeral-home obituary, published March 23, 2025, said KDKA stories about Burnett and the brain bank led to more than 100 new brain donation pledges. Separately, CBS Pittsburgh reported that participation in the brain bank more than doubled after its story aired.
These figures come from different accounts and are not interchangeable: the obituary gives the count of more than 100 pledges, while CBS describes participation as more than doubling.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Easy to Carry] XHDATA D221 FM AM SW NOAA weather radio is pretty easy to carry. Small size 125*74*30mm with weight only 125g (without batteries). You can hold D221 emergency radio by one hand, and you can also put this small am/fm/sw/noaa weather radio in your pocket or handbag to listen to your favorite radio and get the latest weather broadcasts anytime, anywhere. Enjoy your favorite radio and protect your life.
- [Excellent Signal Reception] FM:87-108MHZ; AM: 520-1730KHz; SW:5.6-22.0MHz; WB 162.40-162.55MHz. D221 Radio is a high quality FM AM shortwave radio with weather band, and the DSP chips effectively improve the radio reception, which allows you to receive the radios around the world.
- [NOAA Weather Radio Prepared for Emergencies] With DSP chip, D221 weather radio can receive accurate weather broadcasts from 7 NOAA weather stations. With this small portable radio, you can get the local latest weather report such as tornadoes, hurricanes and storms whenever and wherever you are. By this emergency radio, you can prepared to the emergencies in advanced, protect your life and your family.
- [Good Sound Quality] This portable am fm sw radio has a built-in good speaker for loud and clearly sound. With this am fm sw weather radio you can enjoy high quality music, clear vocals and loud weather broadcasts. XHDATA D221 small pocket radio is also equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can plug in headphones and immerse yourself in the world of radio and music!
- [Battery Operated Radio] XHDATA D221 AM/FM shortwave radio weather radio is powered by 2*AA batteries (not included) . When the batteries run out, simply remove them and replace them with spare batteries, so that you can in touch with the world and get news.
Rank #4
- 【Listen All World Sound】This emergency radio hand crank solar pick up channels on the NOAA/AM/FM/SW bands, you can receive signals in both manual and scanning tuning modes to meet your every need. In addition, this hand crank radio has 7 natural white noises to help you fall asleep easily, and a 10-70 minute timed auto shut-off feature to help you conserve power.
- 【Enjoy Your Favorite Music】This emergency solar crank radio connects to Bluetooth 5.0 for use as an audio player, and the built-in 5-watt magnetic speaker provides you with superb sound quality so you can enjoy your favorite music. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can use headphones for quiet listening. Also, the radio has access to a USB drive/TF/Micro SD card slot.
- 【Emergency Features for Preparedness】Stay informed of weather emergencies with this emergency radio hand crank solar with NOAA weather alerts. With a 120LM flashlight, compass, and SOS alert, this emergency radio can also be used as a mobile power source for emergency charging of your devices to stay connected in case of an emergency. It is a must-have for earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, power outages and other emergencies.
- 【Digital Search Function】This solar hand crank emergency radio can automatically scan and store channels across AM, FM, and shortwave (SW) frequencies. This feature supports storing up to 70 channels per band, for a total of 210 channels, with search effectiveness contingent upon local signal conditions.(Note: Digital search refers to automated scanning/storage and differs from manual electronic display tuning.)
- 【3 Ways To Power The Radio】This emergency radio hand crank solar has a built-in 4000mAh rechargeable battery with 3 charging options, you can use the Type-C connector to charge the emergecny radio on a daily basis, providing up to 32 hours of playback time on a full charge. In case of emergency, you can use the hand crank and solar power to charge the radio in an emergency.
Sources
- KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh: Jon Burnett death report, February 20, 2025
- CBS Pittsburgh: postmortem CTE findings, October 15, 2025
- CBS Pittsburgh: Burnett’s suspected diagnosis and football history, February 12, 2024
- Jon Burnett obituary
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
