Moone Boy
Seán Murphy is the imaginary friend of 12-year-old Martin Paul Kenny Dalglish Moone, the youngest child (and only son) in a family living in Boyle, a small town in the rural West of Ireland. Martin, aided by his imaginary friend, has a unique perspective on life. His imagination comes into play both in his childish drawings, which come alive through animation, and in the ridiculous schemes he comes up with, against Seán's better judgement. With Seán's help, Martin negotiates life as the youngest member of a chaotic, scatterbrained family. Premieres Saturday, July 27 at 7:00 pm.
From The GM's Desk
Happy Independence Day!! With the dog days of summer upon us, I hope everyone has had an opportunity to take some time off. We have all worked incredibly hard and there have been many unprecedented pressures on us in the last 18 months. When possible, please take some time off to rest and relax with family or friends or to go to your happy place. Please also check out our WPSU summer line up, full of educational activities, radio reporting, great programming, productions and the start of the new fiscal year.
All my best ...
Birthdays
7/23 Min Xian
7/25 Dave Dzikowski
WPSU Radio Highlights
In Case You Missed It . . .
PASSHE Vote To Merge Six State Universities Into Two Nears Despite Pushback
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is expected to vote on its planto merge six state-owned universities into two institutions as soon as Wednesday, despite questions that critics of the plan say remain unanswered. PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein has spent a year persuading lawmakers, students, parents, and faculty members that the time is here to merge six of Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities. Listen to the story here.
State Gaming Board To Hold Public Hearing In August On Proposed Casino In Centre County Nittany Mall
Members of the public will have a chance to weigh in on the casino a company wants to run in the Nittany Mall, in College Township, Centre County, during a hearing the state Gaming Control Board has scheduled for 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Penn Stater Conference Center. In 2017, municipalities in Pennsylvania could decide whether they wanted to allow mini-casinos in their borders. College Township did not opt out. Story here.
Largest Employer In Cameron County Announces It Will Shut Down Operations
American Axel, the largest employer in Cameron County, announced last week that it will shut down operations at its manufacturing plant in Emporium. The Detroit-based auto manufacturer’s unexpected decision is putting hundreds of jobs at risk. American Axel bought the GKN Sinter Metals factory in May. Cameron County Commissioner Ann Losey said the workforce of about 350 employees had high hopes for a smooth transition. Listen to the story here.
WPSU Television Highlights
Icon: Music Through the Lens “On Camera” - Friday, July 16 at 9:00 pm
This series charts the fascinating lives and often crazy experiences of the men and women who have documented popular music in images, from the earliest darkrooms to the fast-evolving digital landscapes of the present day.
The Indian Doctor (Season 2 Premiere) - Saturday, July 17 at 8:00 pm, repeats Sundays at 6:00 pm
Dr. Prem Sharma and his wife Kamini nervously await the arrival of his dreaded mother-in-law, Pushpa. With India gripped by the chaos of a smallpox epidemic, Pushpa is taking the opportunity for a long-overdue inspection of her daughter's new life – and the son-in-law of whom she doesn't approve.
Death in Paradise (Season 2 Premiere) - Saturday, July 17 at 9:00 pm
More impossible murders on a beautiful Caribbean island. DI Richard Poole and his team are on the case again, but will he ever learn to love paradise?
Vienna Blood - Saturdays at 10:00 pm, starting July 17
A student of Sigmund Freud and an Austrian detective team up to solve some of the most mysterious and deadly cases in early 1900s Vienna.
Frontline “Leaving Afghanistan” - Tuesday, July 20 at 10:00 pm
The consequences of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iran’s growing influence across the country; politics and rape in India.
How the Victorians Built Britain (4-part series) - Wednesdays at 10:00 pm starting July 21, repeats Sundays at 6:45 pm
A 4-part series that reveals the surprising stories and hidden heroes behind the epic constructions and inventions that transformed the face of England.
Moone Boy (WPSU Series Premiere) - Saturdays at 7:00 pm starting July 24
A warm family comedy series about a young boy growing up in a chaotic and creative household in late 1980s Ireland. This semi- autobiographical series is written by and stars Chris O’Dowd as the imaginary friend of 11-year-old Martin, the youngest child in the large, loud Moone family.
In Their Own Words “Chuck Berry” - Tuesday, July 27 at 8:00 pm
Take a riveting ride on the Chuck Berry train exploring the life, the legend, the music, and the man who is regularly credited as the father of rock and roll.
American Masters “Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase the Blues Away” - Tuesday, July 27 at 9:00 pm
Dive into the career of the legendary blues guitarist, a pioneer of Chicago’s West Side sound and major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.
Governmental Relations
Federal Funding Update
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) reported Tuesday the House Appropriations Committee recommended $20 million for public broadcasting’s Next Generation Warning System within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the Fiscal Year 2022 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. This funding would help support public broadcasting’s work in alert and warning and public safety communications.
In addition, earlier Monday, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-Education) Subcommittee marked up its FY 2022 funding bill and reported it out to the full House Appropriations Committee which plans to mark it up this Thursday, July 15, 2021.
This legislation included $565 million for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s two-year advance in FY 2024, an increase of $90 million, and $20 million for interconnection.
We are still waiting to confirm the funding level for Ready To Learn, which is typically included in the report language that accompanies the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill and should be released before the full committee markup of that bill.
While these are early steps in the FY 2022 appropriations process, they mark a very encouraging start and APTS greatly appreciates all of the work that stations have contributed to this effort. Continue your support of WPSU and APTS by heading to Protect My Public Media’s website and registering to advocate to our elected officials today.
Industry News
WHRO Acquires Oldies Station With ‘Passionate’ Following
An eastern Virginia oldies station operated by Chesapeake Public Schools for more than 60 years has transferred ownership to WHRO Public Media in Norfolk. Under its new brand, Time Machine Radio Network, WFOS-FM continues broadcasting a variety of oldies music on 88.7 FM. Two of WFOS’ longtime DJs, weekday blues host Jerry Carter and weekend beach music host Larry Williams, continue to produce their popular shows. The station began in the 1950s as a 10-watt high-school outlet where students learned the ins and outs of broadcasting. But over the years students’ interest in gaining experience at WFOS decreased. At the time of the transfer, about eight part-time programmers worked at WFOS.
Purdue University Approves WFYI Owner To Operate WBAA
Purdue University’s board of trustees approved an agreement Wednesday for the university’s WBAA to be operated by Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media, licensee of pubcaster WFYI. The university “has been looking for a public radio partner to lead WBAA toward its next 100 years in Greater Lafayette,” said R. Ethan Braden, Purdue’s senior VP for marketing and communications, in a press release. “WFYI is a strong public broadcasting entity, well-known and respected throughout Indiana, and we believe this agreement represents enhanced opportunities for our students, it preserves the experience that listeners enjoy today, and it extends WBAA’s reach and public service offerings.”
Attacks On Reporters Prompt Law Enforcement Action
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation have begun arresting participants in the January Capitol Riots who are accused of attacking journalists covering the events and attempting to damage or destroy their equipment. Separately, police in San Antonio, Texas, shot and killed a gunman targeting journalists in the course of reporting on a house fire. Full story here.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Three thousand pairs of false eyelashes have been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents after officials determined they were illegally imported from China to New Orleans. The four boxes of long lashes seized Tuesday at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport were destined for a local beauty supply store, agency spokesperson Matthew Dyman said in a statement. They hadn’t been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration and weren’t labeled with the distributor’s name or the manufacturer’s name, he said. That means there’s no way to tell whether the eyelashes had been exposed to disease during manufacturing or whether they were stored properly and kept away from insect-infested areas, Dyman told The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate. [AP - 7/9/21]
Quotables
"It was so hot yesterday. I saw a dog chasing a cat and they were both walking."
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