It's an encore airing of Ken Burns' epic series that explores the history of a uniquely American art form: country music. From its deep and tangled roots in ballads, blues and hymns performed in small settings, to its worldwide popularity, learn how country music evolved over the course of the 20th century, as it eventually emerged to become America’s music. Country Music features never-before-seen footage and photographs, plus interviews with more than 80 country music artists. Airs December 7 - 12. Times and days vary. Check online listings.
From The GM's Desk
Happy Holidays!! Thank you all for your many contributions to WPSU in 2020. It has been a weird, challenging year to say the least but throughout the many challenges, we accomplished more than we may have thought possible before the pandemic. I am very proud to work with such a talented, resilient and wonderful group of people. I wish you all a very safe, healthy and happy holiday and I’m looking forward to working with you in 2021😊.
All my best,
Birthdays
No birthdays this time. (But a bunch next time!)
WPSU Radio Highlights
In Case You Missed It . . .
Democracy Works: The Myth Of The "Latino Vote” Jenna Spinelle talks with Geraldo Cadava is a professor of History and Latina and Latino Studies at Northwestern University about the Latino vote in the 2020 election which left many pundits and pollsters scratching their heads about the increased support for Donald Trump. While these conversations seem new every election cycle, Caadava argues they are part of a much larger story that goes all the way back to the post-WWII era.
Take Note: Daniella Zalcman on the Legacy of Coercive Assimilation
Daniella Zalcman is an award-winning documentary photographer whose work focuses on the legacies of western colonization. Lindsey Whissel Fenton talked with her about her work sharing stories of indigenous peoples in North America, about the legacy of coercive assimilation, and about why we need to spend more time thinking about who is responsible for telling our collective stories.
Centre County YMCAs Struggle To Keep Up With Increasing Food Demands
YMCAs in Centre County have provided meals to kids and families in need throughout the coronavirus pandemic. But recently, there’s been an increase in need and they’re having trouble keeping up. WPSU’s Andrew Destin reports.
WPSU Television Highlights
Josh Groban: An Evening of Harmony - Tuesday, December 1 at 8:00 pm
Join the global superstar for a concert of timeless songs and new music from his upcoming album Harmony. Songs include "Bring Him Home, " "Over the Rainbow," "The Impossible Dream" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."
Nature: Santa’s Wild Home - Wednesday, December 2 at 8:00 pm
Get an intimate look into life in Lapland, fabled land of Santa Claus and actual home of tenacious wildlife such as reindeer, wolverines, Brown bears and more.
Midsomer Murders “The Killings of Copenhagen” -Thursday, December 3 at 8:00 pm
When the boss of Calder's Biscuit Company is murdered in Copenhagen, Barnaby and Nelson discover that Calder had more linking him to Copenhagen than just his famous Golden Clusters.
Stevie Nicks: 24 Karat Gold Tour - Saturday, December 5 at 9:00 pm
Grab a front-row seat for the Grammy Award-winning artist's epic concert, captured at two sold-out arenas. Featuring smash hits from her Fleetwood Mac and solo careers, with introspective stories about her personal and professional lives.
Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas - Sunday, December 6 at 8:00 pm
Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas - from carols to turkey, gift-giving to mistletoe and mulled wine - has surprising Tudor origins, rooted in devotion and charity.
Country Music- Monday, December 7 - Saturday, December 12 (Times/dates vary.)
Explore the history of country music — from its roots in ballads and hymns to its eventual mainstream success - and meet the unforgettable characters and storytellers who made it “America’s Music.” Directed by Ken Burns.
Our Town: Moshannon Valley - Thursday, December 10 at 8:00 pm
WPSU’s Our Town series travels to the Moshannon Valley community to learn about the people, places and events that make the area special.
Governmental Relations
FEDERAL
APTS reports that House and Senate negotiators have until December 11th to take action on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 appropriations bills or risk a government shutdown when the current Continuing Resolution (CR) expires. The $465 million for CPB continues the $20 million increase in annual funding we secured last year — the first such increase in a decade — and represents a strong endorsement of our work by the Republican Senate majority in a particularly challenging year.
Earlier this year, the House approved a further increase of $50 million for CPB, to $515 million for FY 2023. We are working to try to ensure that this final appropriation moves toward the House number.
As a reminder, the Senate’s version of the FY 2021 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Bill proposes $465 million for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in FY 2023, as well as level funding for both Ready To Learn at $29 million and Interconnection at $20 million.
STATE
On the State funding front, new leadership has been selected for the four (4) Caucuses.
In the State Senate Republican Leadership, Senator Jake Corman (R-34) has been named Interim President Pro Tempore. In the State House Republican Leadership, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-171) has been named House Republican Leader.
Industry News
New England Public Media Teams Up With Merriam-Webster On Podcast For Word Nerds
Word-loving podcast listeners have a chance to be a fly on the wall at a meeting of dictionary editors thanks to a new show from Merriam-Webster and New England Public Media. At their biweekly pitch meetings, editors at the dictionary publishing company bounce ideas off each other about topics they might address on their website, such as word histories and new words they’re watching. “Those conversations can be really fun because we’re just talking about ideas,” said Emily Brewster, a senior editor at Merriam-Webster and host of the podcast Word Matters. “We’ve been having those meetings for a number of years now, but it just occurred to me that those conversations might be fun to share with the public.” Full story here. https://tinyurl.com/y4wo2nob
Race Discrimination Suit Against NPR Gets Go-Ahead In Court
An employment discrimination lawsuit against NPR will proceed after a federal judge described the nonprofit’s motion to dismiss the complaint as “unpersuasive” Friday, largely rejecting its request. Plaintiff Zandile Mkwanazi, who is African American, claimed in a complaint filed in June that NPR and his supervisor discriminated against him on the basis of race, subjected him to a hostile work environment through the eight months he was employed and retaliated against him for reporting harassment. Mkwanazi alleged that Brett Gerringer, his white supervisor, referred to him as “boy” starting from Mkwanazi’s first day on the job as a technician in NPR’s Network Operations Center March 3, 2019. Mkwanazi alleged that he pulled Gerringer aside later that day to explain the term is offensive to African American people because of negative historical connotations, yet he claimed Gerringer continued to refer to him as “boy” through his employment at NPR.
Dish Says Nexstar Could Black Out 164 Stations on Dec. 2
Dish Network said its customers could lose access to as many as 164 Nexstar Media Group stations in 42 states across the country if it cannot hammer out a retransmission consent agreement with the broadcaster by Dec. 2. Nexstar is the largest local broadcast station group in the country and has properties in all the major cities, including Los Angeles (KTLA), Chicago (WGN) and Dallas (KDAF), as well as smaller markets that have been Dish’s stronghold over the past several years. Altoona’s WTAJ is part of the group. In a press release, Dish TV group president Brian Neylon said “this shocking increase is the highest we’ve ever seen,” Neylon said in a press release. “Nexstar is intentionally turning its back on its public interest obligation and instead demanding consumers pay significantly more for the channels they could receive for free over-the-air.” Reports are that Nexstar is asking for a $1 Billion increase.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
College student Benjamin LaRose of Millis of Massachusetts, is recovering from third-degree burns he suffered at an outdoor party with friends this fall when someone used hand sanitizer as an accelerant in the fire pit they were gathered around, Boston25 reported. "It was rather sudden how quick it reacted," LaRose said, "very much like napalm," catching his leg and shorts on fire and requiring skin grafts to treat the burns. LaRose's pediatrician, Dr. Lester Hartman, warned of the dangers of using hand sanitizer and then being exposed to open flames: "Alcohol is very volatile and explosive ... and people that are doing a barbecue or even lighting a cigarette or lighting a candle" need to let the alcohol evaporate first. Or, experts say, use soap and water. [Boston25, 10/5/2020]
Quotables
“Christmas sweaters are only acceptable as a cry for help.” – Andy Borowitz
Resources and Tips
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