Latest news with #WQLN
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WQLN president and CEO speaks on potential loss of federal funds
WQLN, a public media station in Erie County, faces a potential loss of $1.2 million in federal funding, which constitutes 40% of its operating budget, due to proposed cuts by Congress. The proposed cuts would rescind funds already appropriated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, significantly impacting WQLN's ability to deliver services to the community. This funding is crucial for the station's operations, which include educational programming and emergency communications. Two-week dredging process begins on Erie's East Avenue Boat Launch 'That would greatly impact the operations that we do and the ability to deliver services to the community that we have been providing for close to 60 years,' said Alyson Amendola, Vice President of Advancement at WQLN. WQLN is known for its children's programming and also provides in-person educational programs to communities in need. The station's education department operates a mobile classroom, the Stream Machine, to reach children who do not attend formal preschool. Cindy Spizarny, president and CEO of WQLN, highlighted the station's role in providing critical communications during emergencies, such as Amber alerts and severe weather warnings, especially in rural areas lacking strong cell service. Pulakos Chocolates marks sweet new addition to Colony Plaza Alyson Amendola emphasized that the issue is not about bias or NPR and PBS, but about local broadcast stations delivering essential services to meet community needs. The potential funding cuts threaten WQLN's ability to continue its educational and emergency services, which have been vital to the community for decades. Supporters are urged to contact legislators to prevent the rescission of funds. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lineup, scheduled announced for Sounds Around Town concert series
(WJET/WFXP)– One of the Erie community's favorite free summer concert series is coming back for summer 2025 at WQLN. Sounds Around Town is returning for summer 2025 with four free concerts filled with good vibes, local acts, with each act bringing a little something for everyone. PA Game Commission breaks ground on new learning center This year's set of artists brings music styles from reggae to bluesy rock to jam band grooves all of which will be professionally recorded and broadcast on WQLN. Concert goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, picnic blankets, snacks and friends to enjoy some of Erie's local talent. Each show will also kick off at 7:30 p.m. The schedule for this year is as follows: Friday, July 11 — David Devine & Friends Friday, July 18 — Lopaka Rootz Friday, July 25 — Ron Yarosz & The Vehicle Friday, Aug. 1 — Kactai Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WQLN hosts annual Great TV Auction amid fight for federal funding
The studio lights were officially turned on for WQLN's 57th annual 'Great TV Auction' fundraiser, an event that auctions off hundreds of items on a live broadcast to raise money for the station. The station's marketing coordinator said the money raised will help keep their programs on the air and support educational and community outreach programs. New AI traffic light technology will soon be utilized on Peach Street to improve traffic flow 'Public media is so important. I mean, growing up, I just know how much public media meant to me, and having a son, seeing him grow up on public media and really learning from it, and it being a tool and a resource for so many families across the community, it's just so vital,' said Eric Levy, WQLN's Marketing Coordinator The Great TV Auction will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night until Sunday, with something different for everybody to shop for. A range of local and regional businesses donated items for the auction, with items starting at as little as $5 to $8,000, and if you follow the right steps, some of those items could be yours. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'You can go to and it's best to get a bid express number, that way it's easier for you to bid on the items that you want, but you can also call the old-fashioned way, and you can watch it online at said Levy. Levy said the auction couldn't be possible without all the community support, and as the Trump Administration looks to cut funding for public broadcasting around the country, the station may need community support now more than ever. 'Year after year, the community continues to support us. We really are the community's media, and now more than ever, there's a sense of urgency within the community to support us. Obviously, we don't know what the future holds with federal funding, but we are so pleased to put on this auction,' said Alyson Amendola, WQLN's Vice President of Advancement. Erie kids bring African folk tales State Street with dance and song Amendola said the auction is their largest fundraiser of the year and has been in the works for months Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WQLN, PBS honor Erie's young storytellers for their works
Erie's next generation of storytellers was celebrated for expressing their passion for writing Thursday night. WQLN and PBS hosted their annual Kids Writers Contest awards reception to highlight 18 authors ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. Photos being accepted for 2026 City of Erie Calendar Photo Contest The commemoration showcased stories from the participants that they worked on for months, and their achievements. 'That's where they are able to put together with all of those building blocks for them to be good readers, being able to spell, reading comprehension. It allows them to get the basic skills so they can become successful at life,' said Kathy Walters, director of educational services for WQLN. Plantscape Greenhouses reopens with new owner offering all gardening needs 'It feels awesome to win, I'm so grateful for my teachers because they helped me,' said Briaunna Doughty, contest winner. The contest has been promoting reading literacy for over twenty-five years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erie Dem mayoral candidates Schember, Devlin, Woeger to face off in TV debate
The Democratic candidates for Erie Mayor — incumbent Joe Schember and challengers Daria Devlin and Sheila Woeger — have agreed to take part in a televised debate next week. The closed debate will take place on April 16 at 1 p.m. at the WQLN studios, 8425 Peach St. Cindy Spizarny, WQLN's president and CEO, said the debate, a WQLN collaboration with Erie News Now, will be closed to the public. It will be broadcast on WQLN, WICU and WSEE at a later date. The debate moderators will be Lisa Adams and Mike Ruzzi from Erie News Now. Schember, who was first elected in 2017, is seeking a third four-year term. Devlin is a current Erie School board member and the director of social impact for Hamot Health Foundation. Woeger is a retired substitute teacher. The three are seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor in the May 20 municipal primary. The Democratic nominee will be a huge favorite in the Nov. 4 municipal election because of the city's more than 2-1 Democratic voter registration edge. Republican Matthew S. Thomas is also in the race, and local public transit advocate Julie Minich has announced she plans to run for mayor as an independent in November. No Republican has been elected mayor of Erie since Charles Williamson in 1961. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Democrats vying for Erie mayor to face off in televised debate
