Latest news with #SesameStreet
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Que Pasa USA?' Our Republicans in Congress forgot the value of PBS in Miami
Grouch party Millions of children, many the sons and daughters of immigrants, began learning English via all the wonderful Sesame Street characters. Then at night their parents, abuelos and 'los americanitos' laughed together at the bilingual craziness in 'Que Pasa, USA.' And who can forget listening to 'Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!' Thank you PBS and thank you NPR. Meanwhile, our three Republican Grouches — U.S. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez — have deemed these classic American family programs on PBS and NPR as 'wasteful' far left propaganda worthy of President Trump's massive cuts. Did the Cookie Monster eat their sense of democracy and decency? While children continue to learn to share, be kind and use their brains thanks to the Muppets, our three Republican cartoonish characters display selfishness, not-so-smart voting and are totally no fun. No worries. Big Bird and friends are getting ready to cancel their show in November 2026. Luis A. Hernandez, Coconut Grove Emotional theater Miami Herald reporter Howard Cohen's June 27 story, 'Miami's Olympia theater holds a lifetime of memories for this reporter,' made a point about the importance of not only the physicality of a building such as the 1920s theater and the historical significance it so rightfully conveys, but also the emotional connection such places represent. Places matter on many levels; they are personal. Cohen certainly experienced a lasting connection with the theater and it wasn't all about the physical space. The Olympia opened on Flagler Street as a silent movie theater in 1926. In the 1970s, its name changed in honor of Maurice Gusman, who donated the property to Miami in 1975. Today, patrons are confused as to the theater's name (is it the Olympia Theater or the Gusman Center or the Olympia-Gusman?) As Cohen so eloquently observed, there is no confusion as to the memories formed at the theater. He asks, 'do our memories go along with that deal' to give away the theater? The Olympia theater means so much more than a 100-year old building on Flagler Street with ornate architecture and timeless charm. Preserving history matter, not just in the tangible, but in the intangible. Memories, without a place to anchor them, fade away, relegated only to a Proustian moment. These old places, like the Olympia, are like portals that access the past. The preservation of space, place and authenticity of the 1920s silent movie palace must be guarded and protected. One must also strive to preserve the collective memories that reside within. This task is priceless. Karelia Martinez Carbonell, preservation advocate, Coral Gables Changed tunes Marianne Murciano's July 20 op-ed, 'We were once those immigrants in Miami,' expressed many of my own sentiments. Why do Cubans in Miami who fled the Castro regime's oppression and communism and were given the right to become U.S. citizens now support the Trump administration's policy to not give refugees — those fleeing dictatorships or violent countries — the same opportunities? Many of those in the Everglades detention center and other interment camps are not criminals, just hard working people who need a chance to survive. In my Midwestern hometown, during the Cuban crisis, I never heard any family or friends objecting to Cubans getting the same opportunity. Lainey Nacron, Miami Lethal rail Thank you to the Miami Herald and WLRN for finally reporting what the state and rail companies refused to admit: the Brightline death toll is 182. That's not a mistake. That's a cover-up. And it's not just Brightline. When you add fatalities from Tri-Rail and FEC freight, the death toll along Florida's east coast rail corridors exceeds that number. And still, the trains keep coming — faster and more frequent. I walk or bike across these tracks almost daily. I don't trust the gates, the lights, or the bells. I trust my eyes. And even that's not always enough. Florida's rail corridors are a tragedy waiting to happen — again. We now have three rail systems — Brightline, FEC freight and Tri-Rail, which runs on separate tracks — running through modern neighborhoods. There is no elevation, no fencing, no overpasses and often no warnings, thanks to 'quiet zones.' It's an engineering and public safety failure of staggering proportions. This didn't have to happen. Florida voters once approved a safe, elevated high-speed rail system, but former Gov. Jeb Bush killed it. Instead, we got fast trains on old tracks running through busy towns. The result is America's deadliest rail corridor, funded in part by taxpayers. This is what happens when political vanity and corporate convenience take precedence over public safety. Kerry Lutz, Palm Beach Gardens Cutting charities The July 21 front page story, 'With charity cuts looming, Miami-Dade to pay $250,000 a year to this new foundation run by a top Miami official,' raises serious questions about the county's funding priorities. As a disabled resident who relies on Special Transportation Services (STS), I was disheartened to see the county scrap RFP EVN0001136 — a competitive process that could have modernized and improved paratransit and microtransit for thousands of riders — while quietly steering a guaranteed revenue stream to an unproven nonprofit with limited public transparency and ties to a rodeo. The A3 Foundation has no apparent track record and its president is a full-time aide to the City of Miami's manager, now earning $80,000 from this charity. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade proposes to cut nearly $40 million in nonprofit grants and eliminate the very staff who help administer them. County leaders should explain how this happened and why public funds intended for community good are being funneled to a townhouse-based nonprofit with no clear oversight, while critical services for vulnerable populations are being slashed. Theo Karantsalis, Miami Springs Cutting services The Miami Herald's warning of the downside of proposed property tax cuts is much too neutral, especially for Miami-Dade County. Reducing or eliminating them altogether would be devastating and would do literally nothing to make Miami-Dade more affordable. Property taxes are a tiny fraction of any homeowner's cost burden (the tax collector offers payment plans). The number of homestead exemptions continues to grow and our low property taxes are a major draw for those considering moving here. Property taxes pay for county services people expect and have long had, including trash collection, prompt and professional police and fire response, public libraries and a school system which prepares students, not only for college, but also for well-paying jobs in the crafts and trades. I have lived in central Miami-Dade since 1970. Rather than celebrations of our laughably low property taxes, I hear constant complaints about 'high taxes.' Without an income tax and with a very low sales tax (with many exemptions and tax-holidays), how else can we pay for the services we need and want? Nancy Wear, South Miami Return a favorite The July 16 online story by Connie Ogle, 'This Latin American restaurant in an iconic Miami space is now closed for good,' was well written and informative. With Chica restaurant (formerly Soyka) closing, Mark Soyka should buy it back and reopen his former restaurant. If he did, it would be deluged with former and new diners and be booked solid, with reservations required weeks in advance. Peter R. Evans, Miami Does not compute If Miami-Dade County public schools are A-rated, why do we have to divert public funds through vouchers to send our students to private schools? Seems like a waste of taxpayers' money. Soon our schools will no longer be A-rated, which seems to be the goal of our politicians. Stewart Merkin, Miami
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
NPR editor-in-chief Edith Chapin resigning amid attacks from Trump administration
This week, NPR's editor-in-chief and acting chief content officer, Edith Chapin, announced she is stepping down — a decision she says was entirely her own. But the timing couldn't feel more symbolic. Her resignation comes just days after Congress voted to eliminate all $500 million in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. And while NPR itself doesn't rely heavily on federal dollars, the same can't be said for its member stations — especially in rural areas where these grants keep the lights on. This isn't just a media story. It's a story about who gets to stay informed — and who gets left behind. Let's start with Chapin. During her time at NPR, she didn't just hold a title — she elevated the newsroom. She led the charge to hire senior editors specifically tasked with ensuring fairness, accuracy, and balance across NPR's reporting. In a time when media bias has become a political football, Chapin doubled down on journalistic standards. She once said, "We need to hear from all kinds of people — and that is our job. And we need to be as clear and transparent as we possibly can, and our audiences can decide how useful we are for them." Her departure is a loss for public journalism at a moment when it is already under siege. Now, let's talk about that funding cut. It's a move that's small-minded and shortsighted. Here's why: First, rural communities will be hit the hardest. Small stations don't have the same access to donors or corporate sponsors as big-city outlets. Without federal funding, they risk shutting down entirely — cutting off essential access to local news, weather alerts, and educational programming. Second, public media is a lifeline, not a luxury. Nearly three in four Americans rely on public radio for public safety updates. It's also the home of beloved shows like "Sesame Street" and "Daniel Tiger," especially for families who can't afford streaming platforms. Third, not everyone has Wi-Fi. Lawmakers arguing that public media is 'obsolete' forget that rural broadband is still unreliable in many parts of the country. Radio is still a reliable source of information that many Americans are using. This funding cut also defies the original purpose of public broadcasting, which was meant to provide unbiased, educational content for all Americans. Stripping it away because of perceived political slights? That's retaliation — not policy. So yes, Edith Chapin may have chosen to leave. But we all lose something when a principled journalist walks away in the shadow of a system that's being dismantled. And what's at stake isn't just news — it's access, it's education, and it's equity. Lindsey Granger is a News Nation contributor and co-host of The Hill's commentary show 'Rising.' This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
"Sesame Street's" Response To Trump's PBS Cuts Is Going Viral
We've talk about this before, but Congress has passed a bill that will cut $1.1 billion in federal funding for PBS and NPR. Trump loved it, saying, "THIS IS BIG!!!" That had people wondering about Sesame Street's fate. In case you didn't know, PBS and Sesame Street have had a very, very long relationship dating back to the show's premiere in 1969. While new episodes now premiere first on Netflix, PBS continues to broadcast them, essentially providing free access to millions of families. Sesame Street moved to Netflix earlier this year after Trump announced the cuts, which some people are saying "saves" it. Sooo, after Trump's official budget cuts passed, Sesame Street posted on X. "For more than 50 years, Sesame Workshop has been proud to partner with PBS to bring learning and joy to children across America. Generations of children have benefitted from the public investment that has enabled PBS to do such important work, and the need remains. PBS, we're so proud to be your neighbor." People in the replies are sad: "Bye. Curling up in a ball crying this is too pure." Other people are angry: "HOW THE HELL CAN YOU BE MAD AT SESAME STREET seriously loved these guys they need all the help they can get." And this person compared supporting Sesame Street to being a form of "the resistance:" "Who ever thought that reposting @sesamestreet would be a political act of resistance?" Then you have a bunch of people sharing personal stories about how the show impacted them: "Sesame Street educated children all over the world, including me, with public funds." "I learned how to speak English and read because of Sesame Street," another person shared. This person described their own personal experience: "I grew up really poor. We obviously couldn't afford cable. But Mr Rogers, reading rainbow, square one, and some interesting nature documentaries provided some great entertainment to a lonely kid." And this person simply said: "I learned my ABCs by 18 months from these guys. Defunding PBS is a crime against children."
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
This Northern California PBS station will lose half its budget to Trump cuts
KEET-TV transmitted its first lineup of fledgling programming from inside a garage before moving atop what locals call 'Humboldt Hill' in 1975. The hilltop station overlooking Eureka has, for decades, broadcast a mix of national and local programming. Its lean staff has produced documentaries chronicling suicide prevention and drug addiction across Humboldt County. It has carried classics like 'Mr. Rogers' and 'Sesame Street.' Now, the station is at risk of becoming a casualty of President Donald Trump's plans to claw back $9 billion in funds for public broadcasting and foreign aid. The cuts will hurt all public broadcasters, but for smaller stations the sudden loss of funding could be catastrophic. Northern California's rural public TV stations will lose the largest shares of their budgets in the region, putting them at the greatest risk of shuttering. Smaller stations nationwide are facing similar crises. 'We've been watching this in slow motion,' said Robert Stein, KEET's interim director of development. Nearly half of KEET's budget — about $700,000 — has historically come from federal funds, making it one of the state's most vulnerable stations under the recently passed Rescissions Act. In an open letter to the community Friday, KEET's Executive Director David Gordon told viewers the station would be forced to 'make painful cuts to both staff and programming in the days ahead.' California's rural TV stations are awaiting a Wednesday meeting with the PBS national office to learn more about what the broadcaster may be able to offer them. If nothing were to change regarding how PBS bills rural stations, most — if not all — would no longer be able to afford remaining affiliated stations, Stein said. 'The immediate impact on this is existential,' he said. 'Junk spending' On Friday, the House gave the Rescissions Act final approval, making what KEET and others in public broadcasting feared a reality. The Republican-led House passed the bill by a 216-213 vote along party lines. Trump has called tax dollars to local broadcasting wasteful spending. His May executive order directing federal agencies to cut off funding argued NPR and PBS both don't present 'fair, accurate or unbiased portrayal of current events' — something the broadcasters have adamantly refuted. 'We're cutting junk spending, foreign aid giveaways, woke public broadcasting, and other bloated programs that do nothing for the average American,' Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Redding, posted to X following the House vote. LaMalfa's district includes another at-risk PBS affiliate, KIXE. The station has historically received about 37% of its budget from the federal funds, said General Manager Rob Keenan. LaMalfa told the Chronicle on Monday he is sympathetic to rural stations such as KIXE, but said it isn't taxpayers' place to prop them up. 'We're looking at every place to try and save tax dollars and narrow that $2 trillion deficit down to something more responsible,' he said. Under the prior system, PBS stations would receive about half their annual funding in early October. The allocation is timed with when broadcasters are supposed to pay their bill to carry national PBS programming. KIXE joined the Public Broadcasting Service network in 1969. In 2020, it began broadcasting online. 'We are the system we have,' said Keenan, the KIXE manager. 'Especially in rural areas, especially in smaller markets, you don't have public media without an infusion of federal money.' There isn't the same concentration of wealthy donors in rural California as there is in the Bay Area, he said. 'Some of the bigger stations are going to fare it better, but not necessarily,' Keenan said. 'Story of a community' San Francisco's two NPR affiliate stations are already campaigning for donors to help make up the shortfall. For KQED, that's a staggering $8 million per year — about 8% of its $100 million budget for both TV and radio. For KALW, a smaller FM station, the funding cuts represent about $400,000, or about 7%, of its budget. 'I don't think we would stop streaming NPR,' Kass said. 'For us, like most stations, it will affect our ability to do local programming.' Before the cuts were finalized on the Hill, KQED — San Francisco's leading NPR affiliate — had already announced plans to cut 15% of its staff, or 45 positions. 'The defunding of public media poses grave financial challenges for NPR, PBS, and all local stations like KQED,' CEO Michael Isip said in a statement. 'This cut will be especially devastating for smaller stations and some will shut down in the coming months or years.' Because so much of the NPR system is linked, the cuts will likely mean fewer opportunities for stories originating in smaller cities across the country to make their way to California listeners.
Fast Company
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
Elmo sparks a national therapy session: A brief oral history
On Monday morning, January 29, 2024, Christina Vittas posted a nine-word tweet: 'Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?' Apparently, not so great. Vittas had been managing the social accounts for the beloved Sesame Street superstar since the end of 2020. She hadn't anticipated that Elmo's friendly question would tap into a deep vein of national angst: a looming presidential election, inflation, and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Christina Vittas: I thought, Strategically, when is the best time for Elmo to post this? Monday morning, right? People are getting back in. 'How are we doing?' is a question that a friend would ask. I posted on X at 10:46 a.m. The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is this Friday, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
