WLVR News

07/12/2025

Looks like we will see you at Easton Heritage Day! Lehigh Valley250 PBS39 Lehighvalleynews.com Crayola 😎🥤🖋️🐻🖍️

07/11/2025

Headed toEaston Heritage Day? So are we!
Can’t make it? You can still join the fun from home.

📺 PBS39 will be livestreaming the event from 4:45 PM to 8:30 PM on our YouTube channel. It’s free, easy, and perfect if you prefer your celebrations with a side of AC.

For those attending in person, Lehigh Valley Public Media will be there with:
- Fun flag coloring crafts using extra-long straws
- A visit from our lovable mascot TeleBear from 11 AM to 12 PM
- A surprise appearance by a Crayola crayon mascot (we’re excited to see which one too!)
- Friendship bracelet making — yes, it’s still a classic
- The chance to meet Easton Reporter Brian Myszkowski from Lehighvalleynews.com

Come make memories with us — whether it’s in person or online!

07/03/2025

WLVR 91.3 doesn’t run on a 9 to 5 schedule; we are always on and providing the best quality free public media in the Lehigh Valley. We are proud to serve the Lehigh Valley through trustworthy news, inspired stories, and valuable resources. Want to learn more? Head to the comments to see some of the Lehigh Valley Public Media programs available to our community.Which programs are you excited for and why? Let us know in the comments!

06/30/2025

Hot off the press! 📰

WLVR News was recognized for excellence in journalism as recipients of the 2025 Keystone Media Awards.

The Keystone Media Awards are awarded to individual journalists in the news media profession who consistently provide relevance, integrity, and initiative in serving their readers and audiences. The awards honor journalists who champion the responsibilities of the First Amendment. WLVR 91.3 is proud to recognize the following journalists for their contribution to exceptional journalism and recipients of the 2025 Keystone Media Awards:

Megan Frank
Christine Dempsey

In addition, we congratulate and .com on their 2025 Keystone Media Awards. Head over to their page to congratulate the recipients.

At 91.3 WLVR, we engage and inspire our community with public media, working every day to shape a better Lehigh Valley.

We want to know! Tell us in the comments! How has 91.3 WLVR inspired you to engage and stay connected in the Lehigh Valley?

06/12/2025

Join Lehigh Valley Public Media / PBS39 on June 20th and 21st as we celebrate 50 years of Scholastic Scrimmage!

The celebration begins on Friday, June 20th, with an alumni reception featuring a trivia contest, cocktails and appetizers. Then on June 21st, be the first to see the premier screening of the Scholastic Scrimmage 50th anniversary documentary hosted at Lehigh Valley Public Media's Univest Public Media Center.

Join the celebration: Join us on June 20th and 21st as we celebrate 50 years of Scholastic Scrimmage. The celebration begins on Friday, June 20th, with an alumni reception featuring a trivia contest, cocktails and appetizers.

Then on June 21st, be the first to see the premier screening of the Scholastic Scrimmage 50th anniversary documentary hosted at Lehigh Valley Public Media's Univest Public Media Center.

Friday Features:
- Trivia, hosted by David Graf
- Photo and memory display
- Networking & Refreshments

Saturday Features:
- Documentary screening
- Alumni memory recording opportunity
- Networking & Refreshments

Join the celebration by visiting https://trib.al/ZT8sQDj

06/07/2025

Our Scholastic Scrimmage 50th Anniversary Celebration is going to be a blast! Flex your Scrimmage muscles during a friendly, 3-round bar-style trivia game hosted by current Scholastic Scrimmage host, David Graf!

It's almost time to celebrate 50 years of excellence in academic competition! Whether you were a competitor, coach, judge, host, or long-time fan, the Scholastic Scrimmage Reunion brings together a vibrant community that has made this iconic PBS39 program a success for five decades.

Kick off the weekend with an alumni gathering on Friday, June 20, where old friends and new will reconnect over shared memories of the show and take part in a trivia game with current Scholastic Scrimmage host David Graf!

On Saturday, June 21, enjoy a documentary screening that highlights the history of Scholastic Scrimmage. Network with fellow alumni, reminisce about past victories, and reflect on how the show has impacted countless students and educators across the region.

Grab tickets for Friday, Saturday, or BOTH!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scholastic-scrimmage-50th-anniversary-tickets-1089082658549?aff=PBS39Soc

AcademicExcellence

06/06/2025

Your voice matters. Tell Congress not to rescind previously approved funds for public media.

The White House recently issued a memo to Congress that includes a request to take back previously approved funds for public media locally and across the country. Public media contributes to an informed citizenry, which is fundamental to our democracy, and provides educational programming that advances learning skills for our nation’s children. Additionally, public media is often the only local news source available where other news organizations have disappeared.

Visit Protect My Public Media now to send a message to your congressional representatives. Your advocacy and local support are needed to ensure that Lehigh Valley Public Media’s independent local news and educational programming will continue to thrive.

https://protectmypublicmedia.org/rsc-calls/

06/05/2025

Lehigh Valley Public Media Announces Hasanna Birdsong as Chief Executive Officer

Lehigh Valley Public Media, the Lehigh Valley’s community-owned nonprofit source for local news, educational programming, and community engagement, today announced the appointment of Hasanna Birdsong as its new chief executive officer effective June 30.

Birdsong, a Lehigh Valley native, is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience. Most recently, she was managing director at Adept Group, an Allentown-based packaging engineering consultancy, where she led the organization and developed growth strategies across the food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, and life science sectors. Under Birdsong’s leadership, the firm exceeded profit goals and was recognized as a Best Place to Work in Pennsylvania.

Before her time at Adept Group, Birdsong was vice president of advertising at The Express-Times and lehighvalleylive.com. In that role, she led a digital-first transformation that significantly increased revenue and audience engagement, positioning the media brands as a regional leader in digital media.

“Hasanna’s extensive experience leading transformation and innovation across media and technical consulting industries makes her the ideal leader to guide Lehigh Valley Public Media into its next chapter,” said Michael S. Keim, Lehigh Valley Public Media’s board chair. “She has built a career at the intersection of community, content, and strategy, which aligns perfectly with our mission to connect, inform, and inspire the Lehigh Valley region through independent local news, impactful educational programming and community engagement.”

Birdsong said, “I am honored to lead Lehigh Valley Public Media at such a pivotal moment, when trusted local journalism, educational programming, and community connection are more essential than ever. Lehigh Valley Public Media has the power to inform, uplift, and reflect the vibrant local communities it serves, and I’m excited to work with the organization’s incredible and talented team to deepen impact, expand access, and innovate for the future.”

Press Release: https://trib.al/8uYqFyc

06/04/2025

Join us for a momentous celebration of 50 years of excellence in academic competition! Whether you were a competitor, coach, judge, host, or long-time fan, the Scholastic Scrimmage Reunion brings together a vibrant community that has made this iconic PBS39 program a success for five decades. (Ticket link below!)

Kick off the weekend with an alumni gathering on Friday, June 20, where old friends and new will reconnect over shared memories of the show.

On Saturday, June 21, enjoy a documentary screening that highlights the history of Scholastic Scrimmage followed by a social gathering.

This special event will feature:
📕 Documentary Screening: A deep dive into the show's rich history, featuring archival footage, alumni stories, and memorable moments.
📗 Panel Remarks: Hear from alumni, coaches, and judges who helped shape the competition over the years.
📘 Networking Opportunities: Reconnect with old teammates and make new connections with fans and supporters of Scholastic Scrimmage.
..and more!

Whether you participated in the competition, cheered from the sidelines, or have been a loyal viewer, this weekend is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of Scholastic Scrimmage. Don’t miss this chance to relive the excitement and commemorate 50 years of academic excellence!



https://trib.al/0PUXIVc

05/16/2025

Tickets for the 2025 Good Neighbor Awards are going fast!

Studio A seating is sold out, but we have a fantastic viewing room that includes light refreshments during the program and full access to our interactive Open House activities. Just a few tickets remain for this celebration of community and local public media – get yours now!

2025 Good Neighbor Awards
Wednesday, May 21 from 5:30-9:00pm

Univest Public Media Center
839 Sesame Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015

https://trib.al/wwcN6z8

Not sure what this is all about? The Good Neighbor Awards are given each year in the spirit of Fred Rogers, who was the ultimate good neighbor. The 2025 Award Honorees are Judith Harris, Darian and Yolanda Colbert, and Ilene Hochberg Wood.

The Good Neighbor Awards recognize our neighbors who make significant contributions to improve the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley.

05/06/2025

Message from Lehigh Valley Public Media Board Chair Mike Keim:

It is a critical time for Lehigh Valley Public Media and public media across the country.

Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to end federal funding for NPR and PBS, and the White House is reportedly planning to formally request that Congress eliminate previously approved federal funding for the nation’s public media.

These actions threaten independent local news coverage and educational programming that benefits you and millions of other Americans.

Lehigh Valley Public Media is your public media. With your continued support, we are here to stay.

It’s members like you who will continue to ensure a future where independent local news and educational programming in Lehigh Valley continues to thrive for generations to come.

Your support and voice are needed now more than ever. Learn how you can help: https://trib.al/3NQTLjP

04/08/2025

A major upset in Lancaster County! 🗳️ Democrat James Malone breaks a 40-year trend, flipping a district that's been solidly Republican for decades.

What does this mean for local and national politics? Tune in to the latest episode of Political Pulse on 91.3 WLVR to hear expert analysis and insights! 🎧

More eyes are on local and international races, especially with billionaire Elon Musk becoming more politically active. Why should anyone care about smaller elections? This week on Political Pulse, Tom Shortell and Chris Borick dive into those details.