The Chamber Board Advocates for WVIA’s Impact As you are certainly aware, the White House formally asked Congress to rescind federal funding appropriated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This effort would zero out funds already approved by Congress to fund CPB (and NPR and PBS) over the next two years. This is significant to all of us in northeastern Pennsylvania as our public broadcasting station, WVIA, receives approximately $1.2 million in critical federal funding from CPB each year—roughly 20% of its overall budget. If this funding is cut, WVIA could be forced to immediately reduce or eliminate important television and radio programs and resources, and emergency broadcasting services. Perhaps most notable, they would have to re-examine the allocation of resources currently invested in local news. Over the past few years, WVIA has grown its new division in both mediums—providing a valuable additional local perspective on issues and topics of interest to our communities. Further, WVIA long-form news programming allows the station to drill deeper on many subjects of local import, serving the public in both civic and economic realms. WVIA has delivered relevant, 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. On behalf of the Board of Directors of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, we ask you to reject this proposed action, and send a signal of your support of WVIA—an invaluable regional asset.
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, Lehigh & Luzerne County Airports Receive Funding for Upgrades The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport (AVP) will expand its terminal and modernize the TSA screening area with a $6.2 million state grant. The upgrades will improve passenger flow and enhance security operations, according to State Sen. Marty Flynn’s office. The grant will also help support the continued growth of the airport. The Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) received $1.5 million to construct a parking structure to enhance terminal commercial development. The projects are financed through the state Capital Budget’s Aviation Transportation Assistance Program.
WVIA, Wilkes-Barre Challenger Team Live at Little League World Series For the 14th consecutive year, WVIA will bring the spirit of inclusion and community to audiences nationwide by broadcasting and streaming the 2025 Little League Challenger Division Exhibition Game, presented by Eggland’s Best. The game will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. ET, at the iconic Volunteer Stadium in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. A Local Connection: This year’s game holds special significance for WVIA and the communities it serves, as the local Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball Little League team from Wilkes-Barre will take the field in Williamsport. Over the past six years, the Wyoming Valley program has experienced an extraordinary resurgence. Once facing challenges like a lack of a home field, dwindling player numbers, and limited funding, the league turned its fortunes around after the City of Wilkes-Barre offered a 25-year lease on a field for just $1 per year. This act of generosity sparked a wave of local support and donations, allowing the league to grow into a thriving program serving 130 players across Districts 16 and 31. “The community came together in a remarkable way to lift up this program and its players,” said Carla McCabe, WVIA President & CEO. “We’re honored to help showcase the spirit and determination of the Wyoming Valley Challenger team—and all Challenger players across the country—on a national stage.” The Most Heartwarming Game of the Year: The Challenger Exhibition Game has been a beloved tradition since 2001, giving children with physical and intellectual challenges the chance to enjoy the game of baseball at the iconic Little League World Series. This year’s event will also highlight the achievements of the Woburn Little League Challenger Division of Woburn, Massachusetts, which is proudly celebrating its 30th anniversary. With nearly 50 players and an active group of “Buddies” from across the community, Woburn’s Challenger Division plays weekly games at Weafer Park and ends its season with a championship celebration and cookout for families and friends. Ways to Watch: WVIA will produce a full television broadcast of the game and stream it live on WVIA-TV, on wvia.org and on the WVIA PBS app. The broadcast will also be available on-demand for viewers to enjoy after the live event and will be made available to PBS stations across the country. Contact your local PBS Station regarding carriage in your area. The game will also be available on the ESPN app under the “watch” option. For more information about the Challenger Division and this year’s participants, visit LittleLeague.org.
WVIA Wednesdays at the Everhart – The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham Join WVIA and the Everhart Museum for a special FREE film screening of “Wham Re-Bop-Boom-Bam: The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham” in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month. This event will take place at the Everhart Museum on April 9th, 2025 at 2 PM
WVIA Wins Best of Show at AAF NEPA’s American Advertising Awards – “Girls Wrestling Documentary,” which follows the inspiring journey of the barrier breaking athletes of the Western Wayne Girls Wrestling Team, tells the story of young athletes reshaping the landscape of high school wrestling. On Friday, February 28, the American Advertising Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania (AAF NEPA) hosted the 2024 American Advertising Awards, where they presented the 2024 Silver Medal Award, the Game Changer Award, winners of Cropped and the Rising Star Award. This year’s event was held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania Convention Center. The American Advertising Awards are widely acknowledged to be the largest and most representative competition of its kind, with more than 25,000 entries received as part of the three-tier competition. Campaigns need to advance through both local and regional levels in order to be eligible for the national award. In addition, the awards are often viewed as a lens offering insights into work that may also perform well at other upcoming international creative competitions. Local Gold winners will automatically advance to the regional level and silver winners have the option to send their work on. In all, 8 Professional ADDYs and 13 Student ADDYs were awarded at the Northeastern PA American Advertising Awards, along with 8 Special Judges Choice Awards. Winners were announced during the award show on February 28th, which was attended by 80+ creative professionals, educators and students from across the advertising, marketing, media and tech communities. Said Dan Kimbrough, President of AAF NEPA, “It’s a heavy lift pulling off the show each year, but we have an amazing board and being able to come together and celebrate our creative community makes it worth it.” Other highlights from this year’s American Advertising Awards include: ● WVIA’s Webseries “NEPA @ Work”, which took a gold medal, along with “Girls Wrestling Documentary”. ● Halibut Blue won two Silver Awards for their work with local non-profits Big Brothers Big Sisters of NEPA, and The United Way of the Wyoming Valley. ● Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Student Hunter Rossmann took home 5 trophies. ● Stephanie Klemick of Marywood University took home the student Best of Show with an innovative package design called “Fruit Cups”. Awards were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges representing 4 different markets and agencies not local to NEPA. Outside of our AAA Competition awards, Danielle Antonello-Smolley of Triggerfinger Photography, was awarded the Silver Medal Award, which recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to advertising and has been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern. Kevin Jones, owner of VizVibe, took home the Game Changer Award, which recognizes local visionaries who are pioneering new and exciting ideas within the advertising industry. And Stephanie Klemick of Marywood University won The Rising Star Award, which celebrates emerging talents in the advertising industry who exhibit outstanding potential and a commitment to excellence in both their professional endeavors and community engagement. All professional and student entries and the winners can be viewed online at adflix.aafnepa.org.
WVIA Recognized with Multiple Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) Awards for Local Storytelling and Impact WVIA, the PBS and NPR affiliate serving over 22 counties in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) with multiple awards across several categories. These honors highlight the station’s commitment to producing high-quality, locally relevant stories that inform, educate, and engage the community. Key Highlights: WVIA received recognition in five categories, including Outstanding Television Use of Digital Media, Outstanding Television Public Affairs Program, Outstanding Documentary Program, Outstanding Use of Radio Digital Media, and a Judges Merit Award. The station was honored for producing high quality news, information, and education content, which reflect its ongoing dedication to serving the public by telling impactful local stories that resonate with the community. Two of the awards recognize the quality and importance of coverage from WVIA News, including a deeply reported story about the dangerous consequences of distracted driving statewide initiative to crack down on it, and a Veteran’s Day special about a 99-year WWII veteran who readies his local orchestra for their next performance in Scranton. Key Quotes: “We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters for this recognition,” said Ben Payavis II, Chief Content Officer at WVIA. “As a public media organization, our goal is to provide thoughtful, local programming that reflects the diverse needs of our community. These awards affirm the hard work and passion of our entire team, as well as the importance of the trust we’ve built with local organizations, artists, storytellers, and the audience we serve.” “Public media belongs to the people, and these awards belong to our community,” said Carla McCabe, President & CEO of WVIA. “We are honored to continue sharing meaningful stories that inform, inspire and shine a spotlight on our region.” WVIA was Awarded in the Following Categories: Outstanding Television Use of Digital Media:“The Forgotten Dynasty: Scranton Eagles Football Digital Campaign” Contributors: Chris Zellers, Jim Jennings, Kara Washington, Caitlin Mackiewicz, Holly Biondo, Ron Andruscavage, Ben Payavis II Outstanding Television Public Affairs Program/Program Series:“Keystone Edition Reports: Distracted Driving”Contributors: Julie Sidoni, Faith Golay, Lisa Guthrie Deabill, Ben Payavis II, Roger DuPuis, Haley O’Brien, Ron Andruscavage Outstanding Documentary ProgramWHAM Re-Bop-Boom-Bam: The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham”Contributors: Kris Hendrickson, Ben Payavis II, George Graham, Ron Anduscavage, Loren Schoenberg, Andy Sordoni Outstanding Radio Use of Digital Media:“WWII veteran Gene Passarella”Contributor: Sarah Hofius Hall JUDGES’ MERIT“VIA Short Takes #403”Contributors: Kris Hendrickson, John Alaimo, Ben Payavis II These awards are a testament to the WVIA’s commitment to producing content that goes beyond entertainment by delivering balanced, fact-based local news and informative programs, as well as captivating arts, historical, and educational content for our region. Winners will be recognized at the Annual Excellence in Broadcasting Awards Luncheon taking place at the Harrisburg Hilton on Friday, April 11, 2025. The full list of winners will be announced on the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters website.
Everhart Museum Winter Events Knox Mine Disaster Presentation Friday, January 17 | 5:30–7:30 p.m Join us Friday, January 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. as we observe Anthracite Heritage Month with a special reception for the exhibition Northeastern Pennsylvania Coalfields: Preservation, Praise, Promise, on view through January 26, and a presentation on the Knox Mine Disaster by documentary filmmaker David Brocca. During the evening, Brocca creator of the 2016 film Knox Mine Disaster, which chronicles the catastrophic mine flood in Jenkins Township, PA in 1959, will discuss the tragedy and its lasting legacy while presenting a variety of artifacts from the event. Guests will also have the chance to view Northeastern Pennsylvania Coalfields, which showcases the coal heritage of the region through art; coal mining tools and wares; and geological specimens. Learn about the region’s coal history while enjoying a fine selection of beers and seltzers from Susquehanna Brewing Co. (the first drink is included with the price of admission), and listening to tunes by Lex Romane, who will be playing an assortment of collected songs and original material that anthologize the history and tough life of the coal miner. To register, visit https://everhart-museum.org/knox-mine-disaster/. Underground Miners @ the Everhart Saturday, February 1 | 12:00–3:30 p.m. The Everhart is teaming up with the Underground Miners to host a special presentation to help close out Anthracite Mining Heritage Month and the exhibition Northeastern Pennsylvania Coalfields: Preservation, Praise, Promise. Chris Murley and Banks Ries of the Underground Miners will hold a video screening and discussion about the closure of one of the last operating deep anthracite mines in NEPA: “The 7-Foot Slope” in New Philadelphia. This will also be one of your last opportunities to view the Everhart Museum’s featured installation Northeastern Pennsylvania Coalfields. After the presentation, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., there will be tours of the Brooks Coal Mine Tour directly behind the Everhart Museum. Admission is free for both the presentation and the tour, but seating is limited, so please register in advance at https://everhart-museum.org/underground-miners/. Galentine’s in the Gallery Thursday, February 6 | Doors at 6:30 p.m. | Show from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Everhart Museum and Funny Wine Girl present Galentine’s in the Gallery, an evening of wine, chocolate, and stand-up comedy on Thursday,February 6. Celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s Day with your gal pals by enjoying the hilarious comedy of Funny Wine Girl Jeannine Luby, Micki Orlowsky, and Emily Epstein White. With your ticket you will receive a custom Funny Wine Girl chocolate bar by Electric City Sweets as well as your first drink. Additional wine and beer as well as Belgium chocolate bars by Electric City Sweets in a variety of flavors will be available for purchase. Register today at https://everhart-museum.org/galentines-in-the-gallery/. This is a 21+ event. Advance Tickets: Everhart Members $30 Non-Members $35 At the door day of the show: $40 Valentine’s Week Kickoff Yoga with Mindy Hill Saturday, February 8 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. Kick off Valentine’s Week with some self-love in a healthy and positive space as Mindy Hill presents a yoga session in the galleries of the Everhart. Featuring fluid movement, vinyasa, and twists, flow is a practice that increases circulation of blood and prana (life-force energy), and helps to clear a foggy mind. Register today at https://everhart-museum.org/valentines-yoga/. The $10 registration fee includes Museum entry after class. WVIA Wednesdays at the Everhart: News Listening Tour Wednesday, February 12 | 2:00–3:30 p.m. Join us for the fourth installment of WVIA Wednesdays at the Everhart as we present the first “News Listening Tour.” During this event, members of the WVIA News Team will meet and discuss the area’s most important stories with community members. Stay tuned for registration to open at https://www.wvia.org/events. WVIA Wednesdays at the Everhart is a free monthly screening series programmed in partnership with WVIA Public Media especially for senior citizens. One Wednesday afternoon per month, a PBS documentary tied into the Everhart’s mission of natural history, science, art, and humanities will be screened in the Museum’s galleries.
WVIA Launches “Community Connection” to Spotlight Local Nonprofits WVIA is excited to announce the recent launch of Community Connection, a new interview series dedicated to celebrating the incredible work of nonprofit organizations across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Hosted by the esteemed Lisa Mazzarella, this dynamic series premiered on November 15 and will air each Friday on WVIA Radio during NPR’s Morning Edition at 8:45AM and All Things Considered at 4:44PM. As a cornerstone of community engagement, nonprofits play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in our region. With over 60,000 nonprofit organizations across Pennsylvania and more than 3,000 in the greater Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area alone, Community Connection seeks to highlight the impactful missions and tireless efforts of these organizations. Each week, listeners will hear first-hand accounts from nonprofit leaders, discover inspiring success stories, and meet the dedicated volunteers who make it all happen. “It is hoped the series will increase community awareness of our region’s nonprofits, and perhaps bolster an interest in volunteerism,” stated WVIA’s Lisa Mazzarella. Mazzarella continued, “Community Connection is a forum for our regional nonprofit organizations to talk about specific programs they provide, the varied missions of their organizations, and the positive impact they make in our communities. WVIA serves a 22 county radius, so the goal is to feature programs and services from organizations all around our listening area.” The premiere episode of Community Connection featured The Greenhouse Project, a nonprofit organization located in Scranton that operates a 3,000 square foot greenhouse and offers a variety of classes and educational resources focused on wholesome food and healthy living. In addition to the on-air interviews, an extended community profile will be available on WVIA’s website, featuring in-depth information about each highlighted organization, including contact details and resources. This initiative not only informs listeners but also empowers them to engage with and support the nonprofits that enrich our communities. For more information on upcoming segments and to listen to the premiere episode visit www.wvia.org/community.
