American Masters: Brian Wilson
Explore the life and career of the singer, songwriter and co-founder of The Beach Boys. The film traces the legendary performer’s journey of reflection on a drive through Los Angeles with his longtime friend and Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine. Premieres Tuesday, June 14 at 9:00pm on WPSU-TV
From The GM's Desk
Summer arrives this month as does a slight slow-down of our activities. I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather and can schedule some time off soon. We’ve had two new employees start recently. Welcome! We also have 5 positions to fill - Multimedia Specialist, Director of Content, Project Manager, Local Content Producer, and Edit Technician. If you know of anyone who might be well suited for these positions, please encourage them to apply and let the hiring manager know. As we close our fiscal year this month, many thanks to everyone who has helped make this year successful and vibrant.
All my best ...
Birthdays
6/4 Cheraine Stanford
6/5 Matt Chirdon
6/9 Chris Murrell
6/12 Mark Stitzer
WPSU Radio Highlights
In Case You Missed It . . .
Penn State, State College School District Require Masking Again, As The County Moves Back To 'High' COVID-19 Level
WPSU’s Ann Danahy reported on the recent decisions to return to mask wearing.
Take Note: Penn State Infectious Disease Expert Matthew Ferrari On The COVID-19 Pandemic In 2022
COVID-19 cases are climbing again in Pennsylvania and nationally. And so are hospitalizations. WPSU’s Ann Danahy spoke with Matthew Ferrari, director of Penn State’s Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, is also part of the research project Data4Action, which has been measuring the impact of the pandemic on the local community for the last two years. WPSU's Anne Danahy spoke with Ferrari about the current upswing in COVID cases, how to understand the data and steps that can be taken in response.
A New Self-Guided Walking Tour Explores The History Of The Underground Railroad In Bellefonte
There’s a new self-guided online walking tour in Bellefonte that shows users how to get to historic sites in town that were stops on the Underground Railroad. You can follow the tour map on your phone, and read more about the history of each place you visit. WPSU’s Kristine Allen reports.
WPSU Television Highlights
American Masters “Joe Papp in Five Acts” - Friday, June 3 at 9:00 pm
Joe Papp, founder of The Public Theater, Free Shakespeare in the Park and producer of groundbreaking plays like Hair, A Chorus Line and for colored girls, created a "theater of inclusion" based on the belief that great art is for everyone.
Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 - Saturday, June 4 at 7:00 pm
Join the stellar cast for an anniversary celebration of the beloved musical that became a worldwide phenomenon. The magnificent score includes the songs "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Bring Him Home, " "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and many more.
The Queen’s Garden - Monday, June 6 at 8:00 pm
With permission from Queen Elizabeth, this program covers a year in Buckingham Palace Garden, exploring the history and the natural history of this remarkable hidden royal treasure in the heart of London.
Our Town: Clarion (2022) - Thursday, June 9 at 8:00 pm
The Our Town series returns to Clarion to hear from the community about what makes their town special.
Prince and the Revolution: The Purple Rain Tour - Saturday, June 11 at 9:30 pm
Experience the powerful performance by Prince and The Revolution on their legendary Purple Rain Tour, featuring hits like “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Little Red Corvette,” “When Doves Cry” and a mind-bending 18+ minute version of “Purple Rain.”
Alzheimer’s: What You Can Do - Monday, June13 at 9:00 pm
]Delve into the research that shows how our social interactions, diet, sleep patterns, exercise, stress levels, and other daily health habits have dramatic effects on our cognitive abilities as we age. With scientific data and personal stories about holistic treatment approaches, the film explores the discoveries that are changing the medical profession's view of dementia.
American Masters “Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road” - Tuesday, June 14 at 9:00 pm
Explore the life and career of Brian Wilson, the legendary singer, songwriter and co-founder of The Beach Boys.
Industry News
Judy Woodruff Plans To Step Down As Anchor Of PBS NewsHour By The End Of The Year
“I will continue to anchor through this year’s midterm elections, until the end of 2022. After that, I’ll stay at @NewsHour & @wetatvfm at least thru 2024 & the presidential election,” Woodruff said on Twitter. Woodruff added that she will transition to reporting longer pieces and special projects for NewsHour Productions and WETA in Washington, D.C., which owns the nonprofit company and presents the news program on PBS. Woodruff was named sole anchor in 2018, when Amna Nawaz joined the show as a substitute anchor and correspondent. Woodruff and the late Gwen Ifill co-anchored the weeknight broadcasts from 2013 to 2016, the year that Ifill died. Woodruff began anchoring in 2011, when the NewsHour’s six senior correspondents shared rotations into the role.
Public TV Fundraisers Weigh Future Of On-Air Pledge As Shift To Streaming Accelerates
Public television fundraising leaders are looking for ways to reverse the disappointing performance of stations’ March pledge drives and have found no magic solutions. An analysis by Contributor Development Partnership of March pledge results reported a 24% decline in the number of gifts year-over-year, a nearly 5.5% drop in the number of new donors and a 7.5% slide in the percentage of sustainer gifts. CDP’s analysis was compiled from about 40 stations that participate in its Member Services Bureau; their membership files represent under one-third of all public TV donors, according to Daren Winckel, senior director of fundraising strategy. Full story here.
TuneIn CEO: Streaming, On-Demand Are Revamping Radio
TuneIn, a streaming and on-demand audio provider, reaches more than 30 million people in the US each month and 80 million across the globe. In this interview, CEO Richard Stern discusses TuneIn's strategies, product development plans and broadcast radio's rollout of digital platforms. Full story here.
Tastes Like Freedom
HELSINKI — A small brewery in Finland has launched a NATO-themed beer to mark the Nordic country’s bid to join the Western military alliance. Olaf Brewing’s OTAN lager features a blue label with a cartoon version of a beer-drinking medieval knight in metal armor emblazoned with NATO’s compass symbol. The beer’s name is a play on the Finnish expression “Otan olutta,” which means “I’ll have a beer,” and the French abbreviation for NATO, which is “OTAN.” The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has two official languages, English and French. CEO Petteri Vanttinen described the new lager as having “a taste of security, with a hint of freedom.” [AP - 5/19/22]
Summertime - And the living' is easy?
“During summer vacation, you get to do all your favorite things like cook hot dogs over a campfire -- while being eaten alive by mosquitoes.” – Bruce Lansky
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