Singer, songwriter, humanitarian, film producer, avid gardener, George Harrison was a man of many talents and interests. Initially gaining worldwide fame in the 1960s as a member of the Beatles, he went on to an accomplished solo career that spanned three decades. Remembering George provides highlights from Harrison’s life and career and features many tributes to him sent in by fans. Under the musical direction of Harrison’s longtime friend Eric Clapton, the film captures an emotional gathering of musicians including Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Billy Preston, and Ringo Starr. Friday, September 2 at 8:00 pm
Birthdays
9/5 ~ Sarah Hamilton and Tom Wilson
9/7 ~ Michele Demaree
9/9 ~ Andy Grant
9/14 ~ Isabel Reinert
WPSU Radio Highlights
In Case You Missed It . . .
Volunteer Fire Companies Have Become Harder To Sustain. Can Collaboration Help In Centre County?
Spotlight PA’s Min Xian reported on how over the past few decades, the business of volunteer fire companies has become harder to sustain. Volunteerism declined. Donations grew less reliable, and many traditional fundraising activities were paused during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. More stringent requirements — like someone spending roughly 180 hours in training before being able to join fire and rescue missions — deterred recruitment and retention. Full story here.
Plans For A Gas Station Next To A Bird-Watching Wetland In Huntingdon County Spark Opposition
WPSU’s Anne Danahy reports on the controversy over plans by the gas station and convenience store Rutter’s wants to build next to the Old Crow Wetland. Listen here.
A Free School Meal Program Is Ending, Leaving Central Pa. Experts And Parents Worried
WPSU’s Madeline Miller reported on the ending of the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021 that made all students eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the pandemic. Now, parents must individually apply to programs like the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs to see if they qualify for aid, which is determined based on gross income and family size. Listen here.
WPSU Television Highlights
Concert for George - Friday, September 2 at 8:00 pm
On November 29, 2002, one year after the passing of music legend George Harrison, a performance tribute was organized in his honor. Held at London's Royal Albert Hall, the momentous evening featured Harrison's songs and music he loved, performed by a lineup that included Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Monty Python, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Dhani Harrison and many more.
James Taylor: One Man Band - Saturday, September 3 at 9:30 pm
This concert performance features James Taylor's most important songs, interspersed with personal anecdotes, touching reflections, and never-before-seen home movies and photographs from Taylor's personal archives. Recorded at the Colonial Theatre in the heart of the Berkshires, the concert features such favorites as "Carolina in My Mind," "You've Got a Friend," and "Fire and Rain."
Frontline “Lies, Politics and Democracy” - Tuesday, September 6 at 9:00 pm
The political leaders and choices they made that have undermined and threatened American democracy. How officials fed lies about the 2020 election and embraced rhetoric that led to political violence.
Our Town: Raystown Lake - Thursday, September 8 at 8:00 pm
Community volunteers come together to share stories about Pennsylvania’s Raystown Lake region.
Ukrainian Freedom Concert at The Kennedy Center - Friday, September 9 at 9:00 pm
The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, comprised of recent Ukrainian refugees and other artists, concludes its international tour to express love for Ukraine and lift spirits with music at The Kennedy Center on August 20th. The broadcast version of the performance will also feature behind the scenes footage from their tour.
Facing Suicide - Tuesday, September 13 at 9:00 pm
Explore the powerful stories of those impacted by suicide-one of America's most urgent health crises-and journey to the front lines of research with scientists whose work is leading to better prevention and treatment.
Lion: The Rise and Fall of the Marsh Pride - Wednesday, September 14 at 9:00 pm
Follow the epic story of the Marsh pride of lions as it battles for survival in Kenya's Maasai Mara Reserve. This is a powerful tale of shifting loyalties, bloody takeo
Industry News
Michael Pack Settles Lawsuit Over Use Of Nonprofit Donations, Agrees To Pay Restitution And Dissolve Public Media Lab
Lawyers for filmmaker Michael Pack and the attorney general’s office for the District of Columbia have agreed to settle a lawsuit over use of donations to a nonprofit Pack created to support filmmakers.In May 2020, Pack, a former SVP of television for CPB who has produced several films for public media, came under investigation led by D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine for allegedly using donations from his nonprofit, Public Media Lab, to fund his independent film and production company, Manifold Productions. Public Media Lab’s mission was to receive and award grants to filmmakers, according to federal tax documents, but the attorney general’s office said Pack’s use of funds from the nonprofit warranted an investigation because his activities may have been “unlawful” and “improperly used” to benefit himself.
PBS Wrestles With ‘Profound Transformation’ Into Multiplatform Organization
Several weeks after PBS President Paula Kerger spoke at the 2022 Television Critics Association’s virtual Summer Press Tour, she talked with Current Magazine about what’s going on behind the scenes at PBS. In the Q&A, an edited version of her conversation with TV critic Jacqueline Cutler, Kerger describes the structure she created at PBS for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and how viewers’ migration to streaming platforms is changing PBS’ role as a distributor. Read here.
Governmental Relations
Federal Update
Both the House and Senate remain on break until after Labor Day. To recap, where federal funding stands, in early August, Senate Appropriations draft bills were submitted providing for $565 million for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal year (FY) 2025 and $40 million for FY 2023 for the Next Generation Warning System at FEMA to support public broadcasting stations’ public safety infrastructure.
The draft Senate bill providing appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies also includes $30.5 million in FY 2023 for Ready To Learn and $60 for public broadcasting interconnection.
The House Appropriations Committee has already approved nearly identical funding levels for FY 2023, except for a $32.5 million appropriation for Ready To Learn.
When Congress reconvenes, members are expected to complete this year’s appropriations process on these draft bills.
Thank all for your support and advocacy over this funding cycle by adding your voice to the grassroots efforts at Protect my Public Media. Please join today if you haven’t already.
APTS will keep stations updated on all progress toward ratification at these increased funding levels.
Time Capsule? What Time Capsule?
The small northwest Iowa city of Sheldon planned to make the opening of a time capsule one of the centerpiece events of its 150th anniversary this weekend, but it ran into a slight problem. No one is sure where the time capsule is buried.
“We’re trying to find instructions on exactly where it’s at before we just start digging,” said Sheldon Chamber of Commerce Director Ashley Nordahl. “We think we know where it is, but to dig up concrete in the park when we have such a big event going on, we’re just postponing that to a little bit later in the year.”
The time capsule was buried 50 years ago during Sheldon’s centennial celebration and over time its specific location became a bit fuzzy. Event organizers had planned to open the time capsule during a town birthday celebration Friday morning featuring birthday cake and coffee. They then planned to place new items inside the capsule and rebury it.
The other events will go on as planned, with the time capsule unveiling delayed until workers can find it. To do that, the city will hire a company with an underground radar system that helped the nearby city of Sibley find its time capsule earlier this year.
“We still have every intention of finding it and digging it up,” Nordahl said. “It’s just a little more involved than what we originally had planned.”
Sheldon, a city of 5,178 people about 160 miles northwest of Des Moines, was founded in 1872.
[AP - 8/30/22]
School Daze
"The human brain is special. It starts working as soon as you get up and it doesn't stop until you get to school." — Milton Berle
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