WHRO Public Media

Stay informed on what's happening in YOUR community. WHRO Journalism serves our diverse Hampton Roads community with nuanced, experimental storytelling that demands accountability. We produce unique, relevant coverage that gives our audience deep context about the place they live and work, so they can make informed decisions and live full lives. Visit our website to subscribe to our daily newsletter and stay informed on all your local news today -- and every day 🗞️✨

🎼 Meet Ted Bednarski — a proud member of the Vincent J. Thomas Legacy Society and a lifelong champion of classical music. 🎶 Throughout his life, Ted has turned to classical music for inspiration, enrichment, joy, and comfort. His deep appreciation for classical music led him to include WHRO in his will — a meaningful way to ensure that the music he loves will continue to uplift others for generations to come. Thank you, Ted, for your enduring support and for making WHRO part of your legacy. 💙 For more information about how you can leave a legacy at WHRO and become the newest member of the Vincent J. Thomas Legacy Society, visit whro.org/plannedgiving or contact Kate Pringle, Director of Major and Planned Giving, at 757.889.9370. #NationalMakeAWillMonth #WHRO #LegacyGiving #PlannedGiving #SupportPublicMedia

OUR PLEDGE DRIVE IS HAPPENING NOW 💫 We're giving away a pair of tickets for the Downton Abbey movie screenings in September! Become a member during our Pledge Drive TODAY for your chance to win. 👉 If you enjoy the programming on WHRO TV, from documentaries to PBS NewsHour, from Masterpiece dramas to music programming and more, we need your support. We can’t do it without you. 🌟 Act now to help keep your favorite PBS programs on air—support what you love and donate today! Now though June 9th. 💛 To support what you love now, visit whro.org/donate We're giving away a pair of tickets for the Downton Abbey movie screening! Become a member during our Pledge Drive TODAY for your chance to win!

📝 TODAY STARTING AT NOON! Miss Austen, based on Gill Hornby's acclaimed novel, takes a real-life literary mystery—Cassandra Austen burning her sister Jane's letters—and reimagines it as a fascinating, heartbreaking story of love, sacrifice, and loss. Catch the first four episodes of the series on WHRO TV15, and stream more episodes on WHRO Passport when you become a member TODAY during our Pledge Drive! whro.org/donate

💎 TONIGHT AT 8PM! Recorded live at New York's Madison Square Garden in August 2008, this concert features career-spanning hits from Neil's phenomenal four-night sold-out run at the fabled concert hall. Songs include "Beautiful Noise," "Cherry, Cherry," "Thank the Lord for the Night Time," "I Am...I Said," "Solitary Man," "Kentucky Woman," "Forever in Blue Jeans," "America," and, of course, "Sweet Caroline." Tune in to WHRO TV15 or stream on WHRO Passport when you become a member during our Pledge Drive! Limited tickets available for the Neil Diamond Musical at Chrysler Hall, Norfolk, September 2–7 -- a $300+ donation gets you a pair of tickets! whro.org/donate

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday to our last batch of artists who performed at 2024's PLAY YOUR HEART OUT event! Stay tuned as we announce who will be on this year's lineup 👀 They will be performing SUNDAY 8/17 at 2pm at Chrysler Museum WHRO Public Media’s Emerging Leaders Board loves bringing new and exciting events that connect the Hampton Roads community to public media content. They are once again bringing this exciting music showcase to Norfolk.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL 🎉 Paul Shugrue has been a Virginia radio personality his entire career, working his way up from his "humble" beginnings at the Virginia Tech student station, WUVT in Blacksburg, through Charlottesville, Richmond and finally Hampton Roads. His show "Out of the Box" has been on air for 20 years now, showcasing the best indie music across all genres. He also hosts "Shot of the Blues" on WHRV, and is the programming director of Time Machine radio, WFOS 88.7 ✨

☀️ HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD THIS SUMMER 🗣️ The WHRO News team will be on a Library Listening Session tour this August throughout Tidewater VA, and we want to hear your thoughts 🫵 AUG 12TH ➡️ 10AM-12PM: Isle of Wight County Library, 255 James St, Smithfield ➡️ 2-4PM: Morgan Memorial Library, 443 W. Washington St, Suffolk AUG 26th ➡️ 10AM-12PM: Hampton Main Library, 4207 Victoria Blvd ➡️ 2-4PM: Aug. 26, Poquoson Public Library, 500 City Hall Ave WHRO is inviting the public to come tell us what you’re thinking about this year’s elections! 🤔 What issues are you worried about? 🤔 What questions do you have for candidates? 🤔 What confuses you about Virginia elections? Come camera-ready, because we’d love to record your thoughts to possibly be broadcasted online or on air if you’re comfortable 🎥

A Message from WHRO President & CEO Bert Schmidt Federal Cuts Threaten Local Services—But Our Mission Remains Strong Congress has approved cuts to public media funding—and while the headlines may focus elsewhere, the deepest impact will be local. WHRO Public Media is the only station in the nation owned by a collaboration of 21 local public school divisions. We were founded to bring educational content into homes and classrooms, and that mission still drives everything we do—from local news and community outreach to emergency alerts to free learning tools for students and families. With the loss of this federal support, our ability to provide critical local services is now at risk, including: Emergency alert systems that reach rural areas like the Eastern Shore WHRO KIDS and 30+ free online high school courses In-person literacy and STEM outreach in local schools Local music, cultural programs, and storytelling Student competitions like the Great Computer Challenge and the Writer’s Contest These aren’t national programs—these are the lifelines WHRO provides across Eastern Virginia. Here’s How You Can Be a Champion: Become a member: Your support directly funds local education and community services. whro.org/champion Share our story: Help your neighbors understand what’s at stake Be a champion: Advocate for the power and impact of local public media WHRO is more than a broadcaster—we’re your classroom, local newsroom, and neighbor. Together, we can meet this challenge and continue building a smarter, stronger, more connected Eastern Virginia.

🎊 Congratulations to Jae Sinnett for an amazing 35 YEARS at WHRO! He's an acclaimed jazz drummer, and hosts music shows such as "Sinnett in Session" and the "R&B Chronicles," along with the weekly cooking show web series, "Cooking with Jae." 🙌 Thanks for all your hard work over the years, Jae, and here's to many more!