WVIA, New look and Big Vision: Public Phase of Capital Campaign WVIA opens doors to reimagined headquarters and invites community to build the future of public media. On Wednesday evening, WVIA hosted a historic celebration at its newly renovated headquarters in Pittston, Pennsylvania, proudly marking a major milestone in the station’s history and publicly launching a $10 million Building the Future capital and programming campaign. The private ribbon-cutting event welcomed early campaign investors, committee members, and special friends of WVIA for an elegant evening of champagne toasts and behind-the-scenes tours of the modernized facility. Guests were among the first to experience the magic of the fully reimagined station, now equipped to serve future generations with public media services in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. The celebration also marked the official start of the public phase for WVIA’s Building the Future campaign that will shape the future of WVIA. The campaign, which has operated quietly until now, has already secured strong early support with over $7.26 million raised from private, regional, and state funding toward the $10 million goal. The campaign empowers further innovation and growth in four key areas of service: Education, Journalism, Arts & Culture, and Local Content & Storytelling. WVIA was awarded a total of $3 million in grants from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) of Pennsylvania for the building revitalization. In addition, WVIA received a $225,000 grant from The Pennsylvania Local Share Account (LSA) program sponsored by Jenkins Township. WVIA is grateful for the unwavering support from Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Marty Flynn and Representative Jim Haddock as well as from the Jenkins Township Board of Supervisors. “We are grateful to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for selecting WVIA and to Jenkins Township for sponsoring WVIA as recipients of these grant programs. Through public and private funding collaborations, we are truly building a public media service that will empower this region with unparalleled and trusted media content for generations to come” said Carla McCabe, WVIA President & CEO. “For nearly 60 years, WVIA has been a trusted voice and vital resource for our region. This renovation reflects not just a physical transformation, but a renewed commitment to serving our community in deeper, more impactful ways,” said McCabe. “Thanks to our generous early investors, we now enter the public phase of this campaign with great momentum and vision for the future.” The redesigned headquarters is tailored to the evolving demands of modern media and is better equipped to meet the changing needs of our region—offering enhanced studio spaces, flexible production environments, and state-of-the-art technology that will allow WVIA to respond more quickly, creatively, and effectively to the issues, stories, and educational needs that matter most to the communities we serve. “WVIA is a community gem, a gift from generations that came before us, and our responsibility is to protect and nurture it for the benefit of future generations. Our generous campaign lead investors believe in WVIA’s value and essential services. An investment in this campaign is an investment in our community. We are now excited to invite individuals throughout our region to stand with us by investing in our bright future” said Kate Sickora, Chief Development Officer. With the public launch now underway, WVIA invites community members, businesses, and philanthropic partners to join in shaping the next chapter of public media services in Pennsylvania. For more information or to donate to the campaign, visit the official website page here.
WVIA Launches Crowdfunding Campaign to Uncover Hazleton’s Underground Secrets New Documentary – The Secrets Beneath Hazleton: Digging Deeper – aims to reveal hidden tunnels, a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and a forgotten chapter of American history— all hiding beneath the streets of Hazleton, PA. WVIA’s Emmy Award-winning production team is proud to present its latest original documentary film, The Secrets Beneath Hazleton: Digging Deeper. To bring this expanded story to life, WVIA has launched a Kickstarter campaign inviting public support. Building on the viral success of the original VIA Short Take, The Secret Beneath Hazleton—which garnered over 2 million views and ignited widespread engagement across social media—this 30-minute documentary will unearth the astonishing, long-buried stories of Hazleton’s mysterious underground world. Beneath the quiet streets of Hazleton lies a hidden network of tunnels, sealed mine shafts, and secret passageways— remnants of a city shaped by coal, immigration, and industrial might. WVIA’s new documentary will venture into previously unexplored territory, including private home tunnels, underground banking corridors, and a mysterious speakeasy said to have been sealed for over 75 years. “This is more than just a story about Hazleton,” said Carla McCabe, President & CEO of WVIA. “It’s a story about the history Hazleton has buried— literally. It’s about the people of Hazleton that worked underground, and the people that have been living above this underground city, some unknowingly, for decades. This film will bring history to light before it’s lost forever.” A Deeper Dive into Hidden History The Kickstarter campaign seeks to fund the next phase of this groundbreaking project, allowing filmmakers, historians, and urban explorers to: Document the secret tunnels built from private residences that lead into Hazleton’s vast mine network. Investigate a rumored speakeasy believed to be accessible only through underground bank vaults. Interview local experts and dig into newly uncovered mine maps and archives. Preserve these locations with high-definition film and photography before they succumb to development or decay. This is not just a documentary—it’s a rescue mission for Hazleton’s hidden past. Why Now? Many of the underground structures identified in the first film are already at risk of permanent collapse or demolition. As interest grows and new leads surface, the WVIA team believes this is a critical window of opportunity to preserve these stories for future generations through a new full-length documentary. “There are places under Hazleton no one has entered in decades,” said the film’s producer, Tim Novotney. “And once they’re gone, they’re gone. This film is our chance to capture that lost world so the masses can see it.” WVIA invites the public to become part of this journey by contributing to the Kickstarter campaign, which will fund equipment, research, expert interviews, and post-production for the full-length documentary. Back the Project, Preserve History Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative ideas that are brought to life through the direct support of others. To learn more and support The Secrets Beneath Hazleton: Digging Deeper, visit the Kickstarter page here.
WVIA President & CEO Urges Support to Keep Local News Funded WVIA’s President & CEO, Carla McCabe has released the following statement. Yesterday the White House formally asked Congress to rescind federal funding that had already been appropriated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This effort would zero out any funds that have already been approved by Congress to fund CPB (and NPR and PBS) over the next two years, approximately $1.1 billion. On the surface, this reads like a national issue with no clear impact on our region. But let me be clear: the consequences will hit home—right here, in our communities. Currently, WVIA receives approximately $1.2 million in critical federal funding from CPB each year – roughly 20% of our overall budget. If this funding is cut, local stations like WVIA could be forced to immediately reduce—or eliminate—the trusted local news, educational programs and resources, tv and radio programs, and emergency broadcasting services you rely on. Congress now has 45 days to vote on the rescission request but we anticipate that the House may bring it to a vote as early as next week. So what can you do right now to help? Call and email your congressional representatives today and urge them to oppose efforts to rescind federal funding for public media. Your voice matters to your lawmakers, which is why it’s important for you to take action now to protect public media. Eliminating federal funding for public broadcasting would have a devastating impact on local stations, the communities that depend on them, and the public media system as a whole. We don’t know what the specific ramifications of this would be on WVIA but we do know that we must stop it from happening now. Through your continued support, WVIA has delivered relevant, balanced and in-depth programing for nearly 60 years, including award-winning locally produced documentaries, performances, news and public affairs programs across TV, radio and digital platforms. Thank you for believing in the value that local public media brings to our community and empowering us to serve you every day — no matter the challenges ahead. Remember, these are your stories. This is your community. And WVIA is where it all comes together. Public media is for all of us. Let’s continue to fight for it together. Best, Carla McCabe President & CEO, WVIA
WVIA Honored with Seven American Advertising Federation of NEPA Awards WVIA, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s PBS and NPR station, is thrilled to announce a resounding win at the 2024 American Advertising Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania (AAF NEPA) Awards. Taking home an impressive seven awards, WVIA’s content and creative teams were recognized for their exceptional work in crafting impactful messages that resonate with viewers. “This recognition is a true testament to the dedication and talent of our entire production team,” said WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “At WVIA, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and make a difference. These awards validate our commitment to using that power to serve our community.” WVIA’s award-winning entries spanned a diverse range of categories, showcasing their versatility and ability to deliver impactful messages across platforms. From promotional campaigns to documentaries, their work left a lasting impression on the AAF NEPA judges. “We are incredibly proud of the stories we tell and the messages we share,” continued Ben Payavis II, WVIA Chief Content Officer. “These awards motivate us to keep pushing boundaries and finding new ways to connect with our audiences on a deeper level.” This significant win at the AAF NEPA Awards further solidifies WVIA’s position as a leader in creative storytelling within the region and their dedication to using their platform for positive impact. WVIA received the following seven awards: GOLD (Single Spot)- ROAR Documentary Trailer. GOLD (Single Entry and Best of Show)- The Hooded Graves of Catawissa. GOLD (Integrated Campaigns and Judge’s Choice)- Pizza! SILVER (Television Advertising)- ROAR Documentary. SILVER (Integrated Campaigns)- ROAR Documentary. The award ceremony was held on Friday, March 8th at The FM Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. All winners and professional entries can be viewed here.
