The LuLac Edition #5,086, March 29th, 2024

  

CASEY DELIVERS MAJOR WINS FOR PENNSYLVANIANS IN SECOND HALF OF 2024 GOVERNMENT SPENDING BILLS

IN SECOND WAVE OF FY24 GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILLS, PA SENIOR SENATOR ADVANCES CHILD CARE FUNDING, SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BORDER PATROL, AND INITIATIVES TO UPLIFT WORKERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES 

ADDITIONALLY, CASEY SECURES $30 MILLION FOR 60 PENNSYLVANIA COMMUNITY PROJECTS

BILL HEADS TO PRESIDENT’S DESK TO BECOME LAW

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)
 

U.S. Senator Bob Casey  announced that several provisions he advocated for have advanced through the Senate as part of the second wave of government funding bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. These include funding for law enforcement and border patrol, investments in child care programs and higher education, and initiatives supporting small businesses and Pennsylvania workers. Additionally, Senator Casey fought to secure funding directly for 60 community projects in Pennsylvania, totaling $29,959,000.

 “I’m fighting to ensure that when Pennsylvanians send their tax dollars to Washington, Congress invests it right back into their communities,” said Senator Casey. “Through this bill, I’ve worked to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians—from supporting our first responders and stopping the flow of fentanyl into our communities, to revitalizing communities and uplifting small businesses, to investing in the high quality child care and public education that working families deserve.”

The spending package, passed 74-24, includes six of the 12 funding appropriations bills needed to pass to fully fund the government and continue critical programs. The legislation includes numerous priorities important to Pennsylvania in the following categories: defense and national security, public safety and securing the border, education and child care, health care, and supporting workers and small businesses, and more. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Friday. Now that it has cleared the Senate, it heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

 Direct Community Project Funding across Pennsylvania

 Senator Casey secured $30 million for 60 projects across Pennsylvania. The projects include job training initiatives, education programs for K-12 and college students, flood mitigation measures, small business support, and health facility improvements in the Commonwealth. A full list of the 60 projects can be found HERE.

 Examples of projects  include:

 Investing in Flood Prevention in Harrisburg: Senator Casey secured $750,000 for Harrisburg’s Redevelopment Authority to complete the preliminary engineering and design for its Paxton Creek Dechannelization Project, which will reduce the repetitive and damaging flooding of Paxton Creek.

Supporting Community Schools in Erie: Senator Casey secured $350,000 to fund four community schools in Erie. Continued investment in these community schools will ensure that the more than 2,000 students served receive robust academic, medical, and emotional supports critical to overcoming systemic barriers to success.

Upgrading Medical Equipment and Technology at an LGBTQ Health Center in Philadelphia: Senator Casey secured $400,000 to upgrade critical basic medical equipment and technology infrastructure at the Mazzoni Center, which provides comprehensive health care for Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community. The upgrades include bolstering security systems, upgrading vitals machines, replacing outdated technology, and purchasing a generator which will ensure critical medications do not spoil during power outages.

Investing in a New Emergency Services Facility in Schuylkill County: Senator Casey secured $2 million to help Schuylkill County construct and operate a new facility which will provide expanded training for volunteer fire companies, emergency management services, and law enforcement officials.

Supporting Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery in Johnstown: Senator Casey worked in partnership with Senator Fetterman to secure $115,000 to support the Cambria County Drug Coalition’s efforts to administer medication and harm reduction supplies, as well as connect people suffering from substance abuse disorder to health services. This unit would help a lower income community address the overdose crisis and supporting community revitalization. Senator Casey secured this project in partnership with Senator Fetterman.

Supporting Tree of Life’s Antisemitism Awareness Efforts: As Tree of Life expands its mission to fight antisemitism across Pennsylvania and the Nation, Senator Casey secured $1,000,000 to give the organization the resources to develop and implement K-12 curriculum to help educators and students to identify and challenge antisemitism and identity-based hate. With in-person and virtual instruction of the curriculum, thousands of students will be provided the tools to disrupt hate.

Defense and National Security

Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Defense Industrial Base: The bill provides billions in funding for programs supported by the Pennsylvania defense industrial base, including procurement of Paladin howitzers, Chinook helicopters, and special operations utility vehicles, manufacturing improvements supporting heavy forge capacity and combat helmet production, and research and development on flight control technology, rare earth elements, and glass semiconductors.

Enabling PFAS Remediation: The legislation includes an increase of over $67 million to support the continued cleanup of dangerous PFAS chemicals around military bases, including in Montgomery County.

Supporting Law Enforcement through the National Guard Counterdrug Program: The legislation includes a $100 million increase in funding for the National Guard Counterdrug program, which includes the Pennsylvania Counterdrug Joint Task Force and the Northeast Counterdrug Training Center based out of Fort Indiantown Gap. Funding will strengthen National Guard analysis, aerial and ground reconnaissance, transportation, and training support to law enforcement.

Creating the Next Generation of Aerospace Leaders: The bill provides $33 million increase in funding for the Civil Air Patrol, which trains future aerospace professionals and leaders across Pennsylvania through its cadet and STEM education programs. Civil Air Patrol also performs emergency services for state and local agencies.

Public Safety and Securing the Border

Stopping the Flow of Fentanyl into the U.S.: The bill includes more than $400 million for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to improve the detection and seizure of fentanyl and other drugs at ports of entry along the border, with non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment and additional CBP personnel. This funding will also expand CBP’s outbound operations on the southwest border, which will help stop the flow of currency, firearms, and other contraband resulting from the sale of fentanyl. Senator Casey has introduced legislation and consistently advocated for additional funding for CBP officers and technology to detect and interdict fentanyl and other illicit goods that are being trafficked through the U.S. border.

Supporting First Responders: The legislation provides FEMA with $324 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants which provide funding for fire departments and emergency medical service organizations to obtain critical equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources. It also provides $324 million for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants, which are intended to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help them increase or maintain their staffs of front-line firefighters.

Drug Trafficking and Addressing Addiction: The bill includes $469.6 million for the Office of National Drug Control Policy to coordinate a whole-of government response to the fentanyl and substance use disorder crises, stop drug trafficking, and address addiction. This funding includes nearly $300 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA)—a program that Senator Casey has strongly supported in Pennsylvania and across the Nation.

Securing Our Elections. The legislation provides $55 million for election security grants for states and U.S. territories to protect the integrity of our elections.

Economy, Jobs, Small Businesses, and Workers

Helping Small Businesses Thrive: The legislation includes over one billion dollars for the Small Business Administration to assist small businesses in their efforts to grow. Additionally, Senator Casey helped secure $30 million for the APEX Accelerators program, which helps small and underserved businesses navigate government contracting.

Supporting Community Revitalization: The bill includes more than $320 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund program, which provides tailored resources and specialized financial programs to support investment in distressed communities. Funding from this program provides direct support to Community Development Financial Institutions that work in communities to create jobs and improve neighborhoods, including many critical institutions in Pennsylvania.

Assisting Pennsylvanians Heat Their Homes: The bill includes $4 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), an increase of $25 million over the fiscal year 2023 enacted level. This funding will ensure low-income families across the Commonwealth keep their homes warm.

Education and Child Care

Supporting Children and Working Families: The bill increases funding for early learning programs by $1 billion, including a $725 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and a $275 million increase for Head Start. Senator Casey’s pushed for increased federal funding for programs that make child care and quality early learning programs more affordable and accessible for families has led to a cumulative $4.4 billion increased investment in children over the past three fiscal years.

Promoting Inclusion and High-Quality Education for Students with Disabilities: The bill provides support for students with disabilities throughout their education with a $20 million increase to IDEA Special Education State grants and direction to the Department of Education to extend Educational Technology, Media, and Materials programming to improve accessibility in higher education.

Protecting Access to Higher Education: The bill provides a maximum Pell Grant award of $7,395 for the 2024-2025 school year, preserving the $900 increase in the maximum award over the last two fiscal years, and sustaining Congress’ recent work to push the program to keep pace with inflation and better support low-income students. This year, Pell Grants are expected to help more than seven million students access higher education and further their careers. The bill also protects funding for Federal Work Study, the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, and the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS), preserving additional aid opportunities for students most in need.

Health Care and Human Services

Supporting Communities Affected by the Darlington Train Derailment: The bill includes language that Senator Casey fought to secure that encourages the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue working with the communities affected by the derailment in East Palestine in order to develop a long-term follow-up study of the health impacts.

Bolstering the National Institutes of Health: The bill includes an increase of $300 million, for a total of $48.6 billion, for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which will further support the Pennsylvania researchers using NIH grants to save lives and improve patient care.

Investing in Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: The bill includes $335 million for pandemic influenza preparedness activities, an increase of $7 million over the fiscal year 2023 enacted level.

Support People with Disabilities

Employment for People with Disabilities: The bill includes $4.2 billion to provide training and education, supported employment, and assistive technology to support the employment of people with disabilities. 

Protection of Older Adults: The bill provides more than $21 million for the long-term care ombudsman program designed to resolve health, safety, and welfare programs for older adults and people with disabilities who live in long-term care settings.

Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The bill provides over $150 million to train people to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to protect their rights, and to create community-based projects to address their needs.

Addressing the Needs of People with Autism: The agreement appropriates over $56 million for training to professionals to provide services to people on the autism spectrum and to support their families.

Infant-Toddler-Family Programs: The bill includes $540 million for states to provide early intervention programming for infants and toddlers with disabilities and to support their families.

Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities: The bill provides $420 million for local school districts to operate education and developmental programs for children between 3 and 5 who have disabilities.

 

RFK JUNIOR PICKS RUNNING MATE

As predicted Bobby Kennedy Junior has picked Nicole Shanahan, a lawyer and philanthropist who bankrolled a Super Bowl ad for Kennedy.

This announcement is really going to shake up the political establishment,” Kennedy said in a video he posted on social media last week.

Kennedy’s campaign has spooked Democrats, who are fighting third-party options that could draw support from President Joe Biden and help Republican former President Donald Trump. As they head into a 2020 rematch, Biden and Trump are broadly unpopular with the U.S. public and will compete for the votes of people who aren’t enthusiastic about either of them.

So Kennedy has decided to pick a fan of his who has given him tons of money. This is a vanity candidacy that can only help Donald Trump. But RFK

Junior doesn’t care…..if he loses I predict she becomes his next wife.

Just saying! 

Bobby Kennedy Junior proclaimed yesterday that his Veep pick was going to inspire Americans to be physically fit. Kennedy touted her ability as a world class surfer. Well, we cannot resist tagging her with the name “Surfer Girl” through the duration of the campaign.

 

BIDEN ATTACKS RATTLED INCOHERENT TRUMP

Under the “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander” category, President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign went after former President Donald Trump very aggressively after Trump’s press conference following a hearing in the Stormy Daniels hush money case — and a social media post comparing himself to Jesus Christ.

Biden-Harris 2024 Spokesperson James Singer released the following statement on Trump’s press conference this afternoon:

“Donald Trump is weak and desperate – both as a man and a candidate for President.

He spent the weekend golfing, the morning comparing himself to Jesus, and the afternoon lying about having money he definitely doesn’t have.

His campaign can’t raise money, he is uninterested in campaigning outside his country club, and every time he opens his mouth, he pushes moderate and suburban voters away with his dangerous agenda.

America deserves better than a feeble, confused, and tired Donald Trump.”

And as the “Laugh In” character Elizabeth Ann played by Lily Tomlin used to say, “AND THAT’S THE TRUTH!” 

 

 KINGSTON’S JACK & JIM

Your blog editor with Jack in 2016 and a photo of the late Mayor and District Justice (Photo: LuLac archives)

Former Kingston Councilman Jack Schumacher and Magistrate Jim Haggerty died on the same day last week. Both men served Kinston well. Schumacher, first elected to Council as a Democrat became a mainstay on Council after changing to the GOP. He was an early supporter of State Rep Aaron Kaufer and the Trump Presidency. I met Jack when he was on the campaign trail in the 90s and although we disagreed on national issues we remained cordial.

Jim Haggerty and I became acquainted when he was helping to change Luzerne County government as Chair of the County Charter committee. He served four terms as Kingston Mayor where he did great things to benefit the town and bring it up to speed as a great place to live but also thrive.

Two men, born generations apart made their indelible mark on Kingston, Pennsylvania with one goal: to prove that good government comes from good people.

They both will be missed.

 

WHERE CARTWRIGHT STANDS ON SOCIAL SECURITY

The Republicans in Washington again are talking about tweaking Social Security. The GOP House has wanted to reconstruct it for a long time and even former President Trump has said nothing is off the table then walked it back when he got blowback.

Matt Cartwright has been a champion of Social Security for the longest time. Keep in mind that any opponent of Cartwright in the general will SAY they will support Social Security to the max but once they get to Washington will fall in line with the reactionary right and screw the middle class. As a reminder here’s where Cartwright stands on protecting social security.

For generations, Social Security has been a sacred promise to workers who have earned their retirement through decades of hard work. I know how much our seniors and their families rely on this program, which is why I am committed to protecting – and fortifying - Social Security.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have been proud to support efforts to strengthen this critical program. I cosponsored the Social Security 2100 Act which would provide a benefit bump to current and new beneficiaries to make up for inadequate, long-overdue Cost-of-Living-Adjustments that haven’t been updated since 1972.

This important legislation will also protect low-income workers by setting the new minimum benefit at 25 percent above the poverty line and would tie it to increases in wage levels nationwide to ensure the minimum benefit does not fall behind.

Social Security 2100 also adds a caregiver credit so that people – disproportionately women – who take time out of the workforce to care for children or other loved ones aren’t penalized when the time comes to retire. 

Our seniors work their entire lives to be able to retire with dignity and without fear of poverty, and it is critical that Congress ensure that our seniors are supported.

 

GOVERNOR SHAPIRO, SECRETARY REDDING CELEBRATE MDVA’S FIRST DAIRY PROCESSING FACILITY IN PENNSYLVANIA, EXPANDING THE COMMONWEALTH’S DAIRY INDUSTRY AND CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

THE MDVA HAS PURCHASED THE HP HOOD MILK MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN PHILADELPHIA AND WILL RETAIN 178 EXISTING JOBS WHILE INCREASING ANNUAL MILK PRODUCTION AT THE PLANT THANKS IN PART TO THE SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION’S INVESTMENT.

GOVERNOR SHAPIRO KNOWS THAT PA’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS IS DEPENDENT ON OUR FARMLANDS – AND HIS 2024-25 BUDGET WOULD INVEST $10.3 MILLION IN AG INNOVATION TO CREATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND HELP ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES.

Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives)

Governor Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA) has purchased the HP Hood milk manufacturing plant in the City of Philadelphia – an  expansion project that will retain 178 existing jobs, including 137 union jobs. MDVA Milk, producers of Maola Local Dairies products, will invest additional monies into the plant to transform the production capacity from 10 million to 25 million gallons annually over a two-year period.

As part of the effort to attract MDVA to Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro directly engaged MDVA CEO Jay Bryant, and the Commonwealth prepared an aggressive incentive package totaling $10 million in grants and loans.

Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania is successfully competing with other states and countries to attract and retain business like MDVA. Since January 2023, Governor Shapiro has announced more than $1.2 billion in new private sector investment in Pennsylvania as a direct result of his Administration’s work.

“This is an exciting day for Pennsylvania ag – not just for the 720 Pennsylvania dairy farmers who are members of your co-op, but for all 5,000 dairy farmers in our Commonwealth who have been waiting for more processing capacity to come online,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “The Commonwealth’s economic success is dependent on our rural communities and our farmlands – and that’s why our new Economic Development Strategy and my budget put agriculture and our dairy industry front and center. By focusing on agriculture as a key pillar of opportunity and by investing more in economic development, we will continue Pennsylvania’s legacy as a national leader in agriculture innovation, attract new businesses to our Commonwealth, and support our farmers.”

Governor Shapiro recently launched the Commonwealth’s first Economic Development Strategy in nearly two decades, building on the Shapiro Administration’s work to make Pennsylvania a national leader in innovation and economic development and to create economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.

Agriculture supports over 600,000 jobs and contributes $132 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy. The dairy industry generates $11.2 billion in economic impact and includes 52,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. Agriculture is one of five key industry sectors in the Governor’s Economic Development Strategy, and today’s announcement is another example of how the Shapiro Administration is ensuring that agriculture is front and center in the conversation on how to create economic opportunity in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania’s dairy industry is not only a keystone to our heritage, but also a key to our future,” said Agriculture Secretary Redding. “This investment and partnership with MDVA is a testament to the growth and potential for this industry, which starts on our nearly 5,000 dairy farms, runs through our innovative and dedicated processors, and nourishes consumers around the world.”

MDVA received a $10 million funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for its expansion that includes a $7.25 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan, $2.5 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding, and a $300,000 workforce development grant to train workers.

“Pennsylvania is a great place to do business, and we are doubling down on our efforts to attract more companies like MDVA to the Commonwealth,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “We will continue to make bold investments in strong national and international companies, sending a clear signal to the world that Pennsylvania is open for business.”

Founded in 1930, MDVA is a farmer-owned dairy cooperative that consists of over 900 family-owned dairy farms. Currently, 80 percent of its member owners are located in Pennsylvania. MDVA collects and markets its member farms’ milk to outside processors or for use at its own processing plants.

“With 80% of our family-owned farms existing in Pennsylvania, it made sense that we would seek an opportunity to process our milk in the state as well,” said Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association CEO Jay Bryant. “The acquisition of our new ultra-pasteurized plant in Philadelphia represents more than just a business transaction – it is a testament to the power of partnership, including with leaders like Governor Shapiro and Secretary Redding, to advance the agriculture economy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

By supporting Pennsylvania agriculture on farmland, in forests, and within our communities across our state, Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget and new economic development strategy continue Pennsylvania’s national legacy as an agriculture leader. To maintain this legacy, the Governor’s budget proposes:

$10.3 million in agriculture innovation to help support and attract new agricultural businesses, including energy and conservation endeavors, and to continue to build the future of American agriculture right here in Pennsylvania.

$5.6 million to reform the Dairy Margin Coverage Protections that protect dairy farmers from harmful price fluctuations.

$5 million for a new state laboratory in western Pennsylvania that will provide much needed testing capacity, helping with rapid diagnosis and mitigation of future highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks across the state.

$655,000 to fund a groundbreaking new state program for agricultural seed certification and trade assistance that will grow Pennsylvania’s role as a national and international agricultural leader.

“I’m thrilled to see Governor Shapiro’s dedication to fostering economic growth in our state,” said Senator Jimmy Dillon. “The $10 million investment in MDVA’s expansion project not only retains 178 union jobs in our area but also propels Pennsylvania’s dairy industry forward. I’m proud to stand behind initiatives that prioritize the growth and vitality of our local industries.”

The Governor’s 2024-25 budget also proposes significant investments directly tied back to his economic development strategy and issues a strong call to action for partners across all sectors to join in with their support. His budget proposes more than $600 million in total new and expanded economic development investments, including:

$500 million in PA Sites funding to bring more commercial and industrial sites online;

$25 million for the newly proposed Main Street Matters program to support small businesses and commercial corridors;

$20 million to support large scale innovation.

“I am grateful for the investment to Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, and for MDVA’s commitment to invest in the 170th District with their acquisition of the HP Hood milk manufacturing facility,” said Representative Martina White. “These resources not only support our hardworking dairy farmers across the Commonwealth, but also help secure the future of a facility that employs many of our friends and neighbors in northeast Philadelphia.”

You can read Pennsylvania’s first economic development strategy in 20 years here. For more information on how the Governor’s proposed budget will create opportunity for all Pennsylvanians and continue Pennsylvania’s national legacy as an agriculture leader, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov.

 

 MEDIA MATTERS

 

NBC NEWS’ CAPITULATION TO MEDIOCRITY AND LIES

NBC News recently hired Rhonda McDaniel who was chairwoman of the Republican National Committee. While there   who has repeatedly attacked the networks and its journalists, assailed the news media as “fake news” and promoted false claims around the 2020 vote.

In her role as RNC chief, McDaniel also fanned the flames of election denialism after the 2020 presidential contest.

 McDaniel was involved in a phone call in 2020 to pressure Michigan county officials not to certify the vote from the Detroit area, where Joe Biden had a commanding lead. McDaniel told the officials, regarding the certification: “Do not sign it. … We will get you attorneys.”

The Michigan Department of State’s office condemned her claims of supposed voter fraud in the wake of the election, stating they had “no merit.” The state’s “elections were conducted fairly, effectively and transparently and are an accurate reflection of the will of Michigan voters,” it said in a detailed fact check posted online.

In an interview with CNN’s Chris Wallace last year, McDaniel defended her claims of voting “irregularity” in the election.

They hired her as an on-air commentator ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Out of all the GOP people out there, conservatives like outgoing Senators who weren’t election deniers, or past Presidential candidates like Rick Santorum, why her?

“It couldn’t be a more important moment to have a voice like Ronna’s on the team,” Carrie Budoff Brown, senior vice president of politics at NBC News, said in a memo to staff. Yeah well Carrie baby, you’re way off base on that one.

To add insult to injury on NBC’s Meet the Press they slotted McDaniel as a guest. Former “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd delivered a stunning rebuke of NBC News on Sunday, blasting the network for hiring former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel as a paid political analyst.

Todd, who serves as the network’s chief political analyst, delivered his scathing criticism after McDaniel made her debut on the network during an interview with current “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker.

“There’s a reason a lot of journalists at NBC News are uncomfortable with this,” Todd said, explaining that under McDaniel, the RNC engaged in “gaslighting” and “character assassination” when dealing with the news media.

It is unusual and widely considered unethical for a news organization to put an election denier on its payroll, never mind someone who for years has smeared the credibility of the organization and its journalists.

Welker disclosed at the top of her Sunday morning program that the interview was scheduled to take place prior to NBC News announcing McDaniel would be a paid contributor. Welker also said she was not involved in McDaniel’s hiring.

“I think our bosses owe you an apology for putting you in this situation,” Todd told Welker during the roundtable discussion that followed the interview.

A spokesperson for NBC News declined to comment on Todd’s remarks.

To be clear, NBC News, a traditional bastion of journalistic integrity took a major misstep in its long running reputation. 

 EDITOR’S NOTE: NBC News parted ways with Ronna McDaniel after a public revolt on air from NBC and MSNBC journalists. After just 4 days of work, the former GOP head was jettisoned from her role as a commentator on the storied news network. However, Politico reports that McDaniel expects to be fully paid out for her contract — two years at $300,000 annually — since she did not breach its terms, according to a person close to McDaniel. That means that her single, not-quite-20-minute interview Sunday could cost NBC more than $30,000 per minute, or $500 per second.

That might be just the beginning of the fallout following yesterday’s announcement from NBCUniversal News Group Chair Cesar Conde that the deal, first announced on Friday, would be canceled.  (Politico, LuLac ) 

 

WVIA FM BOLSTERS ITS NEWS DEPARTMENT WITH CREDIBLE JOURNALIST PRO 

HERE'S BORYS 

 



Borys Krawczeniuk

 

After 40 years as a newspaper reporter, I unreservedly and enthusiastically jumped back into radio on Feb. 12 by joining WVIA. Yes, friends, long, long ago, I actually jockeyed disks at and managed a radio station, King’s College’s WRKC.

After King’s, I aspired to broadcast journalism, even earned a master’s degree in that from Syracuse University, only to detour into newspapers thanks to an ex-girlfriend who later broke my heart.

Before I married the real woman of my dreams, Chris Norton employed me for a year as an overnight board operator at WARM. I needed the money, but what was Chris thinking?

I loved working for newspapers, but the last one eventually broke my heart, too.

 

WVIA has revived me, filling my heart with joy that I and fellow print alums Sarah Hofius Hall and Roger DuPuis hope never disappears.

News tips and story ideas are always appreciated at borys@wvia.org. I used the shorter email so you wouldn’t have to spell out my last name, but I’ll respect you more if you learn to spell it by heart. We should have a contest!

 

 

 

WALN TV 

 

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM 

 You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

 

 BOBBY V'S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

BEATLE EDD’S FAB FOUR HOUR ON ROCK 107

Tune in every week to the Home of Rock and Roll for a jam packed, unpredictable hour starting at 9am Sundays. Host Edd Raineri gives you facts and great music from the immortal Fab Four on ROCK 107.

 

1984

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General Rahimuddin Khan becomes the first man in Pakistan's history to rule over two of its provinces, after becoming interim Governor of Sindh…………….John J O'Connor named 8th archbishop of New York………KSD-AM in St Louis MO changes call letters to KUSA……Mobil oil tanker spills 200,000 gallons into Columbia River…Two-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain is indicted on charges of drug trafficking, embezzlement and racketeering; 25 year sentence later quashed…. Senate rejects amendment to permit spoken prayer in public schools…L owners passed the infamous anti-celebrating rule…… Part of Central Park in New York City is named "Strawberry Fields" honoring John Lennon…teachers at the McMartin preschool in Manhattan Beach, California are charged with Satanic ritual abuse of the children in the school. The charges are later dropped as completely unfounded….NFL Baltimore Colts move to Indianapolis…..USSR performs nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan…..US ends participation in multinational Lebanon peace force…….World's most valuable tip - New York police detective Robert Cunningham offers waitress Phyllis Penzo half of $1 lottery ticket, next day they win $6 million……The Macintosh computer hits the market and the number one song in LuLac and America this week was "Thriller by Michael Jackson.