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Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Public broadcasting, RIP?
At my public middle school in Arizona, I was taught Intelligent Design, which is a pseudoscientific alternative to evolution more akin to creationism. I was told that humans did not 'come from monkeys,' and that to think so was insulting. An entrance to the Arizona PBS offices in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Phoenix. Katie Oyan/Associated Press PBS was the only educational channel I could watch at home, and while I was mostly interested in the kids' shows, I also tuned in to the National Geographic specials, where I watched experts discuss things like animal biology and evolutionary theory. I realized that PBS was making a better case than my teachers. Advertisement At the end of the school year, I moved to a rural ranch in the Pacific Northwest. At 13, I was fully in charge of my own education. I had one American history textbook and access to a shared desktop where I visited Khan Academy — and where I watched PBS. Without these resources, I would have resorted to scrounging for answers on Google or various social media sites. I had no digital media literacy, and doubt I would have been able to distinguish science and analysis from conspiracy and misinformation. I had few adults to guide me. My brother was listening to Joe Rogan. I lived with relatives who were climate-change deniers, one of whom was a state representative. They owned every National Geographic going back to the '60s, but told me to disregard most of what was written inside them. Advertisement The other reading material was the 'Left Behind' series about the biblical End Times and 'Hank the Cowdog.' Without PBS, I probably wouldn't have found trustworthy, or easily digestible, educational materials at all. The Trump Administration's latest efforts to cut federal funding for broadcasters like PBS and NPR would have jeopardized my ability to learn on my own, and for free. My story isn't unique. Sixty percent of all PBS viewers are in rural America, and roughly the same portion are low-income. When I was a child with limited resources, PBS was the only reliable education I had, especially as the adults around me failed. Good riddance, CPB By There have been plenty of loud protests about the Trump administration's efforts to cut spending on health care, scientific research, and public schools, and some of these are legitimate. But the outcry over its attempts to Public broadcasters like NPR and PBS are no longer the kind of necessary public goods President Lyndon Baines Johnson Moreover, public funding makes up only a fraction of NPR and PBS's budgets. Federal funding makes up Advertisement The headquarters for National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. Charles Dharapak/Associated Press If they're so essential, people are likely to pay for them through memberships or donations, allowing them to survive on their own. Trump's executive order directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and all executive agencies to cease funding NPR and PBS. Congress has already allocated $535 million to CPB for this fiscal year. These cuts are fundamentally different from the Trump administration's attacks on basic scientific research, which And why should the government fund highly politicized media, anyway? Johnson promised a public broadcasting that would be 'free, and it will be independent and it will belong to all of our people.' But outlets like NPR belong to liberals. Don't take my word for it — take NPR's. The outlet's former senior editor Uri Berliner If NPR wants to be a liberal outlet, better do so on its own dime. So don't let the other misguided Trump cuts mislead you about this one. It's a win on many fronts. Less government spending. Less taxpayer-supported news poorly masked as unbiased public broadcasting. And a step toward restoring trust in the media. This column first appeared in , Globe Opinion's free weekly newsletter about local and national politics. If you'd like to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up . Advertisement Rebecca Spiess can be reached at
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- General
- Business Wire
Advocating for Children with Dyslexia: Film Screening of
LAKE FOREST, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Join us for a powerful evening of storytelling and advocacy at a special documentary screening of Left Behind on Tuesday, May 20th from 6:30–8:00 p.m. CT at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest, IL. The event will feature a post-film panel discussion with leading experts, presented in partnership with Everyone Reading Illinois (ERI) and Suite Escape. To register, click here. Join us for a powerful evening of storytelling and advocacy at a special documentary screening of Left Behind on Tuesday, May 20th from 6:30–8:00 p.m. CT at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest, IL. Left Behind was directed by Anna Toomey, an Emmy Award-winning Producer, and chronicles the historic and emotional true story of a group of determined mothers who challenged the status quo to establish the first public dyslexia school in New York City —the largest school district in the United States. In addition, they are planning additional sites for this type of school to better support and guide parents of dyslexia children. Their fight shines a much-needed spotlight on the daily struggles faced by families navigating public education systems that often overlook children with dyslexia. The film is a moving call to action, raising critical awareness of a learning difference that affects 1 in 5 children and the urgent need for literacy reform across the country. Following the screening, attendees will hear from a panel of experts from Everyone Reading Illinois, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based reading instruction and dyslexia advocacy. The panel will explore how we can better support early identification of reading challenges, effective reading intervention, and teacher training grounded in the science of reading. In addition, dyslexia support and resources available for families will also be covered. Panelists include: Shira Schwartz, ERI President-Elect, veteran educator, educational advocate, and contributor to the Illinois Literacy Plan and Dyslexia Handbook Anne Lundberg, ERI Board Member, Head of Distribution at Armitage Partners, and parent of a dyslexic child Karla O'Brien, ERI Board Member, Dyslexia Trainer at SLANT System® for Structured Language Training, and Executive Director for Professional Development at Classmates Educational Group Don't miss this inspiring and educational event—be part of the growing movement to support literacy, inclusion, and equal opportunity in education for all children.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Teaching Students, Schooling America: Robert Reich Documentary ‘The Last Class' Acquired By Abramorama
EXCLUSIVE: Abramorama has acquired North American theatrical distribution rights to The Last Class, a documentary about social media star, academic, and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich. The company plans to release the film, directed by Elliot Kirschner, in theaters beginning June 27 in New York, followed by other cities in the U.S. and Canada. The documentary from CoffeeKlatch Productions and Inequality Media Civic Action follows Reich as he prepares to deliver his final course at Cal Berkeley, capping an extraordinary academic career that has seen him teach 40,000 students across four decades. More from Deadline 'America's Burning' Duo Michael Douglas & David Smick Say They Still Have Hope For The Nation - Contenders Documentary U2's Larry Mullen Jr. & 'Left Behind' Creatives On Dyslexia Documentary, Abramorama Acquisition & Why Parents Sometimes Just Don't Understand Abramorama To Theatrically Release 'Raye: My 21st Century Symphony Live At The Royal Albert Hall' 'Over the course of the film, Reich confronts the impending finality, and his own aging, with increasing candor, introspection, and, ultimately, emotion,' notes a release. 'He displays a rawness of feeling he has never shared publicly before. Drawing on his lifetime in politics, he uses his class, 'Wealth and Poverty,' to offer us all a deeper look at why inequalities of income and wealth have widened significantly since the late 1970s, and why this poses dangerous risks to our society. One thousand students fill the biggest lecture hall on the UC Berkeley campus, the last class to receive Reich's wisdom and exhortations not to accept that the world has to stay the way it is. His belief in the next generation's ability to take on the fight is inspiring.' Reich, 78, has become a prominent critic of Donald Trump, beginning with the president's first term and now continuing into his second. He has gained a huge social media following, including 1.2 million on his YouTube channel and 1.4 million on X/Twitter. (One of his latest tweets, posted on Wednesday: 'The fundamental choice has not been as stark since World War II: democracy and freedom, or dictatorship and tyranny. Trump and his sycophants are siding with the latter.' And a post also from Wednesday: 'Why is Donald Trump stifling free speech? Because that's what every dictator does.'). In a statement, Abramorama CEO Karol Martesko-Fenster said, 'The Last Class isn't just a portrait of a great teacher and former US Secretary of Labor; it's a rallying cry for civic engagement and the enduring power of education. It unfolds on the big screen as an inspiring, timely film, and Abramorama is thrilled to collaborate with Inequality Media Civic Action, and the filmmaking team, to bring it to audiences across North America.' The documentary is produced by Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse, executive director of Inequality Media and Inequality Media Civic Action and the founder of CoffeeKlatch Productions, and Josh Melrod (Major Arcana), and executive produced by Lofthouse and Ian Cheney (Observer, The Most Unknown, King Corn). The Last Class is CoffeeKlatch's first feature-length documentary and 'marks the launch of its mission to spark dialogue and civic engagement through digital media.' Lofthouse commented, 'As a close collaborator of Bob for the past decade and as one of his 40,000 former students, I'm thrilled to offer viewers the opportunity to experience Professor Reich in his classroom—his inspirational and unexpected approaches to teaching, his profound humanity, and his unwavering belief in education's ability to triumph over cynicism.' Reich's upcoming book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, will be published on August 19. The title refers at least in part to one of his distinguishing physical features; Reich is 4'11' tall. While diminutive, his many admirers would call him an intellectual giant. The Last Class represents the directorial debut of Elliot Kirschner. His producing credits include Human Nature (2019) and The Most Unknown (2018). 'As a filmmaker and journalist, I've always been drawn to stories that I felt needed to be documented lest they be lost forever,' Kirschner said. 'So it was a great privilege to be with Bob as he confronted a pivotal chapter of his life with candor, humor, and grace. His lifelong passion for teaching and how he inspires future generations of leaders is a story that the world needs to hear, especially now.' Abramorama's many documentary releases include Sam Green's 32 Sounds, Vanessa & Ted Hope's Invisible Nation; Ron Howard's Grammy-winning The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years; Stanley Nelson's Miles Davis: Birth of The Cool; Roberta Grossman and Nancy Spielberg's Who Will Write Our History; Amir Bar-Lev's Long Strange Trip – The Untold Story of the Grateful Dead; Brett Morgen's Jane, on primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall; Asif Kapadia's Senna; Banksy's Academy Award-nominated Exit Through the Gift Shop; Laurie Anderson's Heart of a Dog; Showtime's Listen to Me Marlon, directed by Stevan Riley, and the Oscar-nominated The Look of Silence, directed by Joshua Oppenheimer. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us'
Los Angeles Times
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Obituary: Former Daily Pilot photographer O'Donnell kept focus trained on life in O.C.
Patrick O'Donnell had a knack for being in the right place at the right time — a talent that served the photographer and former Daily Pilot staffer well throughout six decades of capturing scenes from a burgeoning Orange County. Working his vast professional networks with aplomb, the seasoned lensman notably photographed a string of American presidents, from Lyndon B. Johnson to Joe Biden, and snapped pics of Margaret Thatcher, Groucho Marx and Buzz Aldrin during visits to local groundbreakings, fundraisers and speaking events. Highlights from that extraordinary career were fastidiously documented by the Fountain Valley photographer and Peggy O'Donnell, his longtime business partner and wife of 57 years, in the 2024 book, 'What Do 11 U.S. Presidents, the Dalai Lama and Whoopi Have in Common?' Peggy O'Donnell recalled how, even after retiring from the biz, her intrepid husband was still avidly shooting photos during a visit to see his son's family in Northern California last November. 'It was raining on a Friday night. We went to a football game, and he's out taking photos of his son, who's a high school teacher and runs the photo department,' she recalled. 'That whole weekend Pat was shooting photos. He couldn't stop himself.' Those prized shots would be among his last. After receiving a cancer diagnosis in December, Patrick O'Donnell died peacefully in his Fountain Valley home on March 27. He was 83. 'He had no pain, he just slipped away quietly,' his wife said Wednesday. Born on May 22, 1941 in Nebraska, Patrick O'Donnell moved with his parents to Whittier when he was 8 years old. He attended public school and was a sophomore at Whittier High School when he landed in the class of a photography teacher who would inspire a lifelong career. 'I caught the photo bug in that first semester of my sophomore year from Ernie Hemmerling, a master teacher who taught photography there for many years,' O'Donnell recalled in his memoir. Two years later, he won a state-level Kodak High School Sweepstakes Award for a black and white photo showing the family dog, Sandy, peering through the slightly open front gate of his home. He titled it, 'Left Behind.' At 17, O'Donnell had saved up enough money to purchase a 4x5 Speed Graphic press camera and built his own darkroom. By the time he began taking classes at Cerritos College, he was shooting sports games and working on the weekly student paper, Talon Marks, O'Donnell reflects in his memoir. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Cal State Long Beach, before serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, based at Riverside's March Air Force Base from 1965 to 1971. While on active duty, he worked for the base's newspaper and chronicled missions to Southeast Asia, Europe and Alaska. Hired at the Orange Coast Daily Pilot in 1968, O'Donnell spent the next 15 years working on call, awaiting breaking news from Seal Beach to San Clemente and capturing images of John Wayne and Richard Nixon in their Orange County residences. After the Times Mirror Co. sold The Pilot to another publication, O'Donnell took a full-time faculty position at Cal State Fullerton, later becoming a photographer for the university. In that capacity, he documented two trips the Titans took to the White House after winning the College World Series championship, snapping pics of then-presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Concurrent with occasional stints at the East Whittier Review and Whittier Daily News, the photographer launched a freelance photography business with Peggy and taught photo journalism classes at Orange Coast and Rio Hondo colleges and Cal State Dominguez Hills. Together, the husband-and-wife duo shot the Orange County Fair from 1988 to 2009, keeping pace with technological advances in photography over the decades, even converting a home darkroom back to a bedroom when digital cameras became king. His numerous connections to area colleges and organizations gave O'Donnell many high-profile photo opportunities, though he was hardly a paparazzo, his wife says. His work drew praise from the Associated Press, California Press Photographers Assn. and Orange County Press Club, the last of which honored him with a Sky Dunlap Award for outstanding lifetime achievement and community service. 'He was always in the right place at the right time,' Peggy said, describing her husband's can-do attitude. 'You'd meet someone involved with one thing, and they'd suddenly say, 'Can you do this?' and you never say no. If you're in business for yourself, you always say, 'Of course I can do that — it doesn't matter what it is.' O'Donnell is survived by his wife, Peggy, and sons Ryan and Steven (a third son, Kevin, died in 2000), daughters-in-law Andrea and Maggie and grandchildren Alex, Rachel, Mikey and Shane. A private memorial service for friends and family is planned for May 3.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Breadwinner' With Nate Bargatze Sets March 2026 Release – Film News in Brief
'The Breadwinner,' a film starring standup comedian Nate Bargatze in his first feature acting role, will premiere in theaters March 13, 2026. The comedian announced the release date via his Instagram page. Bargatze, who co-wrote the script with Dan Lagana and produces alongside Lagana and Jeremy Latcham wrote, 'Stoked to be the first to let you know that #TheBreadwinnerMovie is coming to theaters everywhere March 13, 2026.' Eric Appel directs the comedy, which will be distributed by Sony Pictures. More from Variety Nate Bargatze Rides DoorDash to Super Bowl Nate Bargatze to Host CBS Primetime Special Taped at Grand Ole Opry 'SNL' Sets Nate Bargatze to Host With Foo Fighters as Musical Guest Bargatze is known for specials like 'Your Friend, Nate Bargatze,' 'Nate Bargatze: The Greatest Average American' and 'Nate Bargatze: The Tennessee Kid.' He has hosted 'Saturday Night Live' twice, appearing in a 'Washington's Dream' sketch and its follow-up 'Washington's Dream 2.' Appel recently directed 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,' which featured Daniel Radcliffe as Weird Al. He has also directed Kevin Hart vehicles 'Die Hart' and 'Die Hart 2: Die Harter,' along with episodes of 'The Afterparty,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' 'Silicon Valley' and 'New Girl.' ROCO Films will handle non-theatrical and ancillary sales for the dyslexic education-focused documentary 'Left Behind,' following the company's acquisition of additional distribution rights. 'Left Behind,' directed by Anna Toomey, shows five mothers trying to launch the South Bronx Literacy Academy — New York City's first public school dedicated to teaching dyslexic children. The film traces the mothers' effort leading up to the school's 2023 opening. The company is in charge of non-theatrical and ancillary sales throughout North America and certain English language territories. The film was already released theatrically in North America by Abramorama. ROCO Films will also lead a related educational campaign across the country. 'At ROCO Films, we understand the power of documentary to spark real change, and Left Behind is exactly the kind of film that needs to be seen far and wide. We've worked with other incredible films about learning differences, so we know how much impact stories like this can have—especially when they reach the right people,' Annie Roney, ROCO Films founder and CEO, said in a statement. 'We're excited to bring Left Behind to educators, families, and communities across North America because no kid should have to struggle in silence when solutions exist. Thanks to the theatrical release by Abramorama we expect to have the wind at our back.' The musical short film 'Sea Lion Cow' has been acquired by Rolling Stone Films and released on the publication's website. Directed by Ivan Cash, the film follows musician Gideon Irving as he sings on the New York City subway. 'Sea Lion Cow' premiered at Tribeca Festival last year and can be viewed at 'The New York City subway is such a unique and dynamic environment that's prime with inspiration and experimentation, making it the perfect backdrop for a film that unfolds entirely within the subway's vibrant and always unpredictable setting,' Cash said in a statement. 'For an independent short film like ours, securing a partnership with an iconic publisher like Rolling Stone is an absolute dream come true and we're excited to share 'Sea Lion Cow' with a wider audience.' Maggie Roberts produced the film. Jamal Solomon was the film's cinematographer, and Dave Harrington is credited for music. Bella Fratkin contributed an original song. 'We're thrilled to acquire such a unique and compelling short film,' Jason Fine, senior vice president of Rolling Stone Films who executive produced the film alongside other Rolling Stone staff members, said in a statement. 'Sea Lion Cow takes viewers on a magical andsurprising journey, and we're proud to use our platform to amplify it.' Best of Variety What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
