People
Comings and goings: WSKG hires Christine Dempsey as CCO, MPT appoints VP …
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Dempsey most recently worked as VP of radio for WLVR.
System/Policy
Noem’s public broadcasting cut proves she’s nothing like Mister Rogers and a lot like Trump
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South Dakota’s governor has proposed a sudden funding reduction for South Dakota Public Broadcasting after approving previous increases.
System/Policy
Alaska Public Media to expand broadcast reach through acquisition of TV station
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The station, previously a CBS affiliate, reaches more than 85,000 viewers in southern Anchorage.
System/Policy
StoryCorps’ union rallies for reversal of layoffs
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The CWA unit representing StoryCorps workers is challenging how management handled recent layoffs, alleging retaliation.
Obituaries
José Fajardo, former Hawai‘i Public Radio leader, dies at 61
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“José was an inspirational force in so many ways,” said HPR CEO Meredith Artley.
Programs/Content
Radio stations go to new places to court younger listeners
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With dating mixers, breweries and family days, stations aim to welcome millennials to public media fandom.
System/Policy
Writers Guild freelancers ratify contract with GBH, WNET and PBS SoCal
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The contract, negotiated this fall, covers PBS animation writers for the first time.
Development
November CDP Index: High-dollar gifts offset decline in new donors
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In addition, an ongoing and worsening decline among sustainers is a growing concern for radio stations.
System/Policy
PMJA report points to shortcomings in newsroom diversity efforts
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Lack of diversity in leadership was a constant refrain in responses to the association’s 2023 online survey.
Programs/Content
Podcast about Georgia’s Forsyth County explores legacy of town’s racist history
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“1912,” a podcast from the Atlanta History Center and WABE, traces descendants of Black people who fled racist mobs and night riders.
People
Comings and goings: Milwaukee PBS hires CMO, Sesame Workshop appoints managing director …
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Cameron Risher, a communications director at Nebraska Public Media, joins Milwaukee PBS as CMO.
Programs/Content
Sesame Workshop eyes ‘new distribution plan’ as Warner Bros. Discovery ends contract
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The “Sesame Street” producer has partnered with HBO since 2016.
System/Policy
New station cohorts will tackle audience challenges with CPB-backed Poynter training
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The new phases of the Digital Transformation Program starting early next year will emphasize focusing on data to measure success.
People
Comings and goings: KRCC station manager retires, ‘It’s Been a Minute’ gets new supervising producer …
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Jeff Bieri, station manager for KRCC, is retiring this month.
System/Policy
Senate committee reports favorably on two CPB board nominees
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With a voice vote, the committee advanced nominations for Felix Sanchez and Adam White.
People
Public Media Business Association names Lauren Biddle executive director
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Biddle succeeds Sara Wood, who has led the organization since 2018.
Programs/Content
New edition of NPR’s ‘Sound Reporting’ shares tips on cultivating your unique voice
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“Don’t try to change the way that you sound,” says “Weekend Edition Sunday” host Ayesha Rascoe. “If you grew up in Boston, you’re not going to sound like me.”
Tech
NextGen TV station transmits real-time closed captioning translations
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The AI-powered engine translates closed captioning from English to Spanish.
Development
WBUR, Greater Public receive Knight grant for digital transformation
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The grant puts WBUR over the $9 million goal for Catapult, its initiative to improve digital fundraising and audience experience.
System/Policy
PBS deal with Amazon introduces model for free public TV streams
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The breakthrough agreement bundles live feeds of 150 stations and ad-supported channels featuring dramas, documentaries and “Reading Rainbow.”