Dear friends:

We are experiencing uncertain times. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all of us in ways we never thought imaginable. News about the coronavirus pandemic is evolving hourly and our journalists are working around the clock to bring you accurate, timely information.

Now that Virginia schools have closed, teachers are scrambling to convert their face-to-face lesson plans into content and activities that will allow students to learn online from home. WHRO Public Media is here to help! In addition to a digital learning website where our 21 owner school divisions can access a library of online courses, WHRO Education’s premier library of digital content, eMediaVA, is proving to be more helpful than ever for teachers across the Commonwealth. It is a one-stop collection of high-quality instructional resources that are aligned to Virginia’s SOL (Standards of Learning). Join us for an informational webinar. Click here to RSVP

We also have special programming relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hard Questions/Real Answers will air Wednesday, March 18 at 2 p.m. on WHRV 89.5FM. MPR News Host Kerri Miller invites audiences across the nation to call in and ask medical and public health professionals their hard questions. Kerri is joined by guests from the Mayo Clinic to talk about the science of treating COVID-19 — the challenges medical professionals are facing, what they know about the spread, and what the plans are to stop it. Stream live online

Confronting Coronavirus: A PBS NewsHour Special will air Thursday, March 19 at 8 p.m. on WHRO TV15. With a focus on public and personal health, as well as economic impact, this program will feature a virtual town hall with curated questions from people across America. Catch up on previous episodes

We also understand you may want a break from the news. Given how many of you of are homebound coupled with the cancelation of all sporting events, PBS and Ken Burns have uploaded Ken’s BASEBALL series to pbs.org and all pbs streaming devices so everyone has access to the film during this difficult time. We have also provided a list of eight must watch binge-worthy shows available through WHRO Passport. Of course, you can also stream many of your favorite shows on our WHRO mobile app or online. And, if you don’t want to watch but just listen, WHRO Public Media Music offers selections from classical, adult alternative, jazz and even the 1920’s-- all available online or from any smart device.

We were just informed Antiques Roadshow has postponed all of their 2020 Production Tour events. We are hopeful they will be rescheduling the Colonial Williamsburg stop very soon.

Because up-to-the-minute information is so essential, we’ve cancelled our Spring member drive. But this means we still need to fundraise to stay funded and able to provide you with timely information. We’re relying on support from members like you to see us through, and to give us feedback and suggestions as to how we can improve our service.

The health and safety of our staff remain our priority. While we are enabling employees to work from home and curtailing normal business activities rest assured, WHRO Public Media will remain here for you as a trusted source for news, information and entertainment. Follow us at whro.org and on social media for continuous updates.

Be well and healthy,

Bert

Bert Schmidt
President and Chief Executive Officer
WHRO Public Media