2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

At Public Broadcasting , we want to create a more informed, enriched, connected Atlanta community. We seek to exchange knowledge that can provide perspective so we can all rise together.

We can truly understand each other by recognizing and celebrating our commonalities and differences.

Together, our perspectives are more complete.

Together, we inspire change. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT IN THE COMMUNITY

Public Broadcasting Atlanta uses authentic storytelling, and the power of our TV, radio, and digital platforms, to raise awareness of the news and culture that shape our city. In 2017, PBA fo- cused its community engagement on the most pressing issues of the day and ensured the community could connect with us per- LOCAL sonally. From immigration and education to congressional elec- tions, our focus was to provide a local perspective on national is- VALUE sues. Our events always had an interactive component where the public could ask their questions live or online, and we part- nered with organizations around the metro area including the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, , the Southwest Arts Center, and the Fernbank Science Center.

From station-wide initiatives, like our celebration of the 20th an- 2017 Key niversary of the 1996 Olympics, in depth coverage of the 2016 election, coverage of the 2017 6th District Special election, and Services Closer Look’s special call-in episode after 2016 shooting of Dal- las police officers, PBA provides content and a two-way conver- sation that helps the community understand the key issues and stories that are impacting them daily. PBA also is a resource for the public to reflect, remember and celebrate key historical mo- ments that shaped their city.

In 2017 we increased our Community Engagement, inviting audi- ence members to join the conversation at seven different com- munity events. We partnered with Atlanta Public Schools as they LOCAL invited over 1000 students to their “Back-to-School-Bash”, and introduced Buddy the Dinosaur to another 500 fans (and their IMPACT parents) at Fernbank Science Center’s “Dinosaur Birthday Par- ty”. We did this while continuing our partnerships with local or- ganizations like Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta Community Food- bank, with both partnerships entering their seventh year. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT STORIES OF IMPACT

WABE kicked off coverage of the Geor- gia 6th Congressional district special election by partnering with the Roswell Cultural Arts Center as 250 local resi- dents joined in a discussion about the future of their district. Denis O’Hayer and a panel of experts from both sides of the political spectrum along with a po- litical science professor from State University, discussed the changing demographics of the area, the election as a response to the new Presidential administration, and the different issues in a dis- trict that stretched from downtown to far exurbs. Hundreds of questions were submitted between our web portal, in-person written questions, and questions asked from the live audience. In the end, everyone who attended had a new perspective on what this election could mean for them.

GEORGIA’S 6TH DISTRICT With the initial election resulting in a runoff, the large field was trimmed down to two, and PBA continued it’s coverage as the only public media outlet to receive a debate. Republican Karen Handel and Democrat Jon Ossoff came togeth- er, with trusted long-time political reporter Denis O’Hayer once again moderating. The debate was carried live on WABE, the PBA websites, and on Facebook. It was re-aired on PBA 30 and C-SPAN as well as having excerpts played on thousands of outlets. Questions were also taking from the public ahead of the debate, with our editorial team selecting the most popular and insightful inquiries, and more than 800 comments were left on social media as the debate progressed, allowing our audience to be apart of the debate not only as viewers, but as participants. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT STORIES OF IMPACT

Voices calling for racial equality echoed as Lisa Hagen reported from Stone Mountain, as the “Rock Stone Mountain” “pro- white” rally was counter-protested by local activists. From Black Lives Matter rallies to the Wom- en’s March, WABE reporters monitored the wave of social ac- tivism happening throughout our area, each time giving in-depth coverage to a complex subject.

NATIONAL NEWS WITH A LOCAL VIEW In the wake of police involved shootings throughout the nation, and the killings of 5 officers in Dal- las, Closer Look aired a special pro- gram allowing the community a chance to respond. Audience mem- bers called in and spoke of their concerns and support for law en- forcement officers. As a result of that special program, a series be- gan with Police Chiefs from around the metro area being invited to join the show and connect with the pub- lic in an attempt to foster communi- cation and trust. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT STORIES OF IMPACT

The 1996 Olympics will forever be re- membered as the moment that Atlanta stepped onto the international stage as the “world class city that you have nev- er heard of.” During the 20th anniver- sary of those influential games PBA created a cross-platform initiative, with radio, television, and the web, highlight- ing the ways Atlanta was forever changed. Former Mayor Andrew Young appeared in TV spots for PBA 30, reminiscing on his life-long love of the Olympics, and support on the long shot bid. City Lights partnered with local online publication PBA REMEMBERS THE ‘96 OLYMPICS Arts ATL and told of the Cultural Olym- piad and the ways Atlanta’s arts com- munity responded to the international attention, and audience members were given a chance to share their memories through television interstitials, radio call -ins, and social media comments. WABE news took a look at the way the games changed the city both positively and negatively. Stories on the financial impact as well as the change in the cit- ies landscape were an important re- minder of how far Atlanta had come, and how far we still have to go. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT STORIES OF IMPACT

The 2016 Election was unlike any most Americans have seen in their lifetime. Coverage of the races was overwhelm- ing, and it seemed to be constant. The WABE news team provided in depth, complex coverage to objectively inform voters. Coverage started early in the races, with reporting on the prima- ries and where Georgia looked to be heading. WABE focused not only on the big national stories, but on local races 2016 ELECTION COVERAGE

like the Opportunity School District con- stitutional amendment proposed by the State Legislature. We also made sure to keep our audienc- es well informed not just on the issues, but also on the logistics of voting. Poll hours and locations were regularly up- dated on our website to be sure that af- ter learning about the issues, our audi- ence had a way to make their voice heard. Just days before the election Denis O’Hayer hosted “Georgia in Full Swing” with 100 guests joining a live taping of the show and Q&A at the PBA studios. In the end, Georgia saw record voter turnout, and WABE continues to follow the effects of the 2016 election and its implications for the metro area. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT STORIES OF IMPACT

In January of 2016, as the contentious presidential election began to ramp up, NPR created “A Nation Engaged” an initi- ative aimed at “sparking conversations that matter.” As the inauguration drew near member stations were encouraged to participate by holding their own “Nation Engaged” events, and WABE’s Closer Look took up the mantle, hosting an eye- opening conversation with members of the community from many sides of the po- litical spectrum. In keeping with the theme, the Carter Presidential Library was our partner for the evening’s event, NPR PARTNERSHIP: NATION ENGAGED

After the success of the first set of “Nation Engaged” events, NPR once again reached out to member stations, to host another set of events around the 100-day mark of the administration. They also reached out directly to WABE, as they ap- preciated our choice of a Presidential Li- brary as venue so much that they bor- rowed it for the other featured events: KCLU at the Reagan Library, Iowa Public Radio at the Hoover Library, and KCUR at the Truman Library. 225 audience mem- bers joined former Congressmen Buddy Darden and Lynn Westmoreland, Emory Political Science Professor Andra Gillespe, and NPR’s Debbie Elliot. Just 100 days into the new Presidential administration the conversation was lively and the questions complex as we discussed just what the new administration could do, in a discussion titled “Power and the Presidency”. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT STORIES OF IMPACT

WABE’s reporting focuses on important stories and their impact on the Metro area. In November, Stephannie Stokes traveled to Rabun county to see first hand the effects of wildfires in the foot- hills of the Appalachians. Wildfires are a regularity in other parts of the country, but metro Atlanta rarely feels their im- pact. Stokes spoke to first responders, local residents, and clergy creating makeshift shelters, informing the audience about a story that was impacting their day, and giving them a view into the experiences of people in the western states, and for her efforts she was given a Georgia Award. NATIONAL STORIES, LOCAL IMPACT

From 2000 to 2010 the metro Atlanta’s foreign born population rose nearly 70%. Elly Yu reported on the stories of many immi- grants, including Jamie Hernandez, a local teen who had crossed the border illegally as a teen, only to be given a deportation order as he worked through his senior year in high school in Dekalb County. Elly continued her efforts in January, moderating a panel of experts from all sides only 10 days after the first Ex- ecutive Order on Immigration was handed down. 75 people joined the event as a live audience for the tap- ing. This diverse group engaged, asked questions of the panelists, and many told personal stories from first hand experiences with immi- gration. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT STORIES OF IMPACT

WABE reporter Martha Dalton’s award winning series “What works in Education” spotlighted the stories of impact that ef- fected Georgia’s students. From the Governor’s “School Takeover Plan” to the Mitchell County School district in Camilla, Martha and the WABE newsroom left no stone un- turned as they searched for the best in education policy throughout the state. Partnering with the Southwest Arts Center, we targeted audiences living in southwest Atlanta, an area that has a high concentration of Title 1 schools.

EDUCATION: POLICY AND PLAY Education reporting is important, but complex policy isn't the only way PBA engages local students. PBA’s broad- cast license is held by the Atlanta Board of Education (W-A-B-E) and since our inception PBA has been involved with schools in our area. From special pro- jects with local high school students learning the basics of broadcast media, to PBS characters attending the annual Atlanta Public School’s “Back to School Bash” with over 1000 students, PBA knows about educational policy, and en- gaging kids with PBS Kids educational tools. 2017 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT STORIES OF IMPACT

PBA is focused on storytelling that im- pacts our city, and one of the most im- portant ways to do that is by giving Met- ro Atlantan’s a voice, especially those who may not always be heard. 2017 saw the 150th anniversary of the He- brew Benevolent Congregation, better known to Atlantan’s as “.” PBA’s special four-part feature, looking at the impact the Temple has had on life in Atlanta for the last 150 years, was timely, given the Temple’s support of the Civil Rights movement, in our current cli- mate.

CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY Science is everywhere in Atlanta, even in our own backyard at Zoo Atlanta. In the spring of 2016 news broke that one of the Zoo’s famous Western Lowland Gorillas was pregnant, and PBA connected with the Zoo to follow Kudzoo the gorilla through her pregnancy. Starting in May, in Kud- zoo’s 4th month or pregnancy, a PBA crew regularly visited with Zoo Atlanta primate keepers as they tracked her progress. They were there step by step all the way up to baby Mija’s birth on September 16. Nearly 30,000 people tuned in to the premiere episode. Great cities are known by their museums, theaters, sym- phonies and parks. But the greatest impact on a city’s cultural life radiates invisibly through the air. For Atlanta, that cultural force is Public Broadcasting At- lanta.

As we continue in this complex climate for news and information, Public Broadcasting Atlanta will continue to be a resource as the only independent media outlet focused on the metro area. In 2017 PBA, through it’s television programming, radio programming, online and social media presence, community engagement events and education in- itiatives will give our audience a chance to hear stories from people like them, and to tell their stories. We’ll talk with Vietnam War veterans, millennials, and children, and everyone in between. We’ll talk about healthcare, education, civ- ics, the job market, and a host of other issues affecting the everyday lives of our audience; and when we do, we’ll welcome them to be a part of the discus- sion with us.