UTICA/ROME — The City of Utica is in line for some pretty positive attention in the national spotlight this summer. Interestingly, some might credit the well-publicized controversy over plans for a new mosque near Ground Zero in New York City earlier this year. Utica’s the focus of an upcoming episode of State of the Re:Union, slated to air on more than 250 NPR affiliate stations nationwide.
SYRACUSE — Top journalists from Syracuse and surrounding markets gathered for the Syracuse Press Club’s 33rd annual Scholarship and Professional Recognition Awards Dinner last night at Drumlins Country Club in Syracuse. Public stations WRVO and WAER dominated the radio categories, while there were plenty of ties for winners in the television categories.
OSWEGO — The past six months have been rather interesting for WRVO. The NPR affiliate has a new GM, and the station has been watching from afar as lawmakers in Washington have threatened to cut funding for public broadcasting. Those issues are among the topics discussed within three “cover story” articles in a local business magazine.
(Updated 9:15pm) OSWEGO — A one-day fundraiser called “Thousand Member Thursday” is being called a success tonight. Staffers at NPR affiliate WRVO say the station eclipsed their goal, after hearing from more than 1,300 members by the time the one-day fundraiser officially ended this evening.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to cut funding for NPR. According to the Associated Press, the effort of the GOP-controlled house is not expected to be approved by the Democrat-led Senate. Even if it does, the White House says President Obama would veto the action. But WRVO’s general manager says he’s still worried about funding cuts.
SYRACUSE — If you keep up with the national trades, you’re well aware of the problems facing National Public Radio. Capping off a series of controversial headlines over the past several weeks, NPR President and CEO Vivian Schiller “resigned” yesterday. Today, management at WRVO and WCNY say they’re worried that the negative press on top NPR officials could have significant trickle-down effects on their stations and other local public stations nationwide.
GENEVA — Finger Lakes Public Radio (WEOS) says it raised $6,205 in pledges from listeners, following “One-Day Fundraiser” which lasted 12 hours today. The station’s goal was $7,000, and even though the on-air portion of the fundraiser is over, you can still donate to the NPR affiliate online.
OSWEGO — There won’t be any pledge drive breaks during “Foneless February” at WRVO, but there could be pledge drives coming in March if the station doesn’t reach its fundraising goals this month. To give listeners an incentive to open their wallets, all pledges will be doubled by a third party, dollar for dollar.
ASHEVILLE, NC — Cleve Mathews, whose career highlights include helping to create NPR’s All Things Considered and nearly 15 years as a professor and administrator at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, has died. Mathews was 84, when esophageal cancer claimed his life in North Carolina late last week.
OSWEGO — It’s the biggest night of the year for virtually every newsroom in the country: Election Night. And WRVO is no exception. The station had “all hands on deck” to report the results, along with a few special guests providing analysis.
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