Programs/Content
WNED and LeVar Burton terminate licensing deal for ‘Reading Rainbow’
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“WNED is currently working on the next chapter of ‘Reading Rainbow,'” a station executive said.
System/Policy
Utah’s KBYU to drop PBS membership in radio, TV consolidation
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BYU Broadcasting says it produces “original programming the entire family can enjoy together.”
Quick Takes
Science lessons from WGBH/NASA collaboration premiere online
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WGBH developed the content with input from 50 teacher advisers.
Quick Takes
CPB gives PBS Kids channel $5.6M for games, outreach
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The interactive game feature should roll out later this year, according to PBS.
Obituaries
Influential public broadcaster John Witherspoon dies at 88
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Witherspoon was the first director of television at CPB.
Quick Takes
Las Vegas LPFM sues CPB over denial of grant
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The president of Las Vegas Public Radio is asking for punitive damages of $1.7 million as well as other monetary damages.
Programs/Content
Storytelling comes to public TV through World Channel series
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Although storytelling is popular on radio and podcasts, public TV is just starting to explore the genre.
Quick Takes
County declines to charge questioner removed from WLVT town hall
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Simon Radecki asked Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) if his daughter had been kidnapped.
People
NPR ‘streamlines’ news leadership, its stations elect board reps, and more comings and goings
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David Sweeney leads NPR newsgathering with the new title of chief news editor.
Quick Takes
CPB IG recommends recouping $1.1M from WLRN for misreporting income, plus penalties
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WLRN GM John LaBonia said repaying the funds “would be catastrophic” to the station and “would likely result in significant cutbacks.”
System/Policy
CPB Board wants new approach to setting TV Community Service Grants
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Vice Chair Bruce Ramer suggested starting with “a blank slate” on determining station CSGs.
System/Policy
CPB inspector’s office asks for clarity in station accounting guidelines
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Some institutional licensees are hitting snags in accurately calculating the value of indirect support.
Quick Takes
New CPB grant bolsters disaster communications work at stations
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NPR will use the $419,000 grant to help up to 30 stations across 10 states.
System/Policy
State funding dip prompts job cuts at Prairie Public Broadcasting
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The $400,000 drop affects 13 full- and part-time positions.
Quick Takes
Several Florida counties to get public radio news for first time in WMFE deal
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Daystar Public Radio will sell jazz station WKSG-FM in Cedar Creek, Fla., to WMFE for $900,000.
Quick Takes
Chicago station considers channel-share after selling spectrum in auction
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WYCC would continue to broadcast by sharing spectrum with WTTW.
Quick Takes
Pioneering public broadcaster Dick Brown dies at 82
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Brown began producing the live “Feedback” show in 1968 on WJCT-FM in Jacksonville, Fla.
Programs/Content
Station town halls connect lawmakers and constituents in tense times
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The public broadcasters have found various ways to handle protesters, politicians and outsized community interest.
Quick Takes
Former NPR News exec is new public editor at PBS
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Madhulika Sikka oversaw NPR’s international coverage from 2006–15.
System/Policy
CPB helps 10 more stations in wake of recent hurricanes
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The latest grants bring total CPB hurricane aid to $630,000 for 14 public radio and TV stations.