Since 1967, WSBE has been committed to the principle of lifelong learning. Thatcommitment is at the core of everything we do. We educate, inform, enrich, andinspire our viewers of all ages to WSBE more.

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICEREPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

In 2014, WSBE provided these key local services

As both guides and explorers on the journey of lifelong learning, we keep an ear to the ground for issues that affect our community, and produce informative programs with a local perspective. Two key 2014 WSBE productions:

• No Hero in Heroin • Our Town

Key political affairs collaboration for community education:

• Job One: Leadership

LOCALCONTENT

LOCALSERVICE

LOCALIMPACT

Exploring possibilities, cheering achievement, inspiring understanding

In addition to the new and exciting projects in 2014, WSBE also features continuing content - snapshots of local life that are the bedrock of our value to the community. We celebrate the good deeds of local children in Our Great Kids, shine the Rhode Island Spotlight on small organizations achieving big results, spark lively debate and commentary about local politics on A Lively Experiment, and providing expert advice on tax planning and preparation since 1978. WSBE reflects the issues and topics our community says matters.

WSBE is an integral part of Rhode Island’s cultural tapestry

Delivering information and viewpoints with a local focus, WSBE gives voice to groups and stories that may not otherwise be heard.

In 2014, WSBE celebrated the fifth anniversary of Rhode Island Stories. From profiling a public health nurse’s lifetime of service, to finding art ‘hidden’ in public places, to poking behind the scenes embers of WaterFire’s art and pageantry, WSBE discovers and shares stories that matter to our community because they come from our community.

“I was mesmerized by the film... It is special for me to be captured for an hour by anything but a book... As always, you are the best.”

- Jim HanleyViewer

24|7|365: Evolution of Emergency Medicine

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2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

IN THE COMMUNITY

On Thursday, April 3, 2014, Rhode Island PBS took a hard look at what Rhode Island health officials were calling an epidemic: the skyrocketing number of deaths by heroin overdose. No Hero in Heroin presented a spectrum of perspectives on the story. Health officials, addiction counselors, recovering addicts, and family members put the intimate, human faces on the startling statistics. When No Hero in Heroin aired, there had been 69 overdose deaths since January 1, more than twice the number from the previous year. As of May 14, 2014, our follow-up review found there had been 22 more

deaths, for an alarming total of 91 overdose deaths in Rhode Island since the beginning of the year. An additional 500 overdoses had been counteracted by the use of Narcan by emergency responders.  Putting a Face on the StatisticsAddiction too often begins with prescription drugs taken to soothe legitimate injury or pain. Opioids - most notably Oxycodone - are popular pain killers and are safe and effective on a short-term basis. Even fentanyl – the deadly ingredient dealers were cutting into the heroin – is a synthetic opioid used to relieve chronic pain, often after surgery and in end-stage cancer patients. When prescribed, fentanyl can be delivered through injection, a skin patch, lozenges, or even in lollipops. But pain sufferers who take these painkillers for an extended period can become addicted. Some soon opt for the lower cost and wider availability of illicit drugs like heroin. These addicts are our neighbors, work colleagues, family members, or friends.  Produced by WSBE Rhode Island PBS and hosted by Margie O’Brien, No Hero in Heroin included filmed segments and in-studio discussions. Panelists were Dr. Michael Fine, director of the RI Department of Health; Fred Trepassi, director of Phoenix House; Michelle McKenzie, director of the Prevent Overdose and Naxolone Intervention at The Miriam Hospital; Steve Reid and Abbie Stenberg, former addicts; Jim Gillen, director of Anchor Recovery; Dr. Peter Friedmann, Lifespan Alcohol & Addiction Studies; Craig Stenning, Department of Behavioral Healthcare at the RI Department of Health; and Elise Reynolds, who lost two sons to overdoses.

Beyond the BoxOff camera during the one-hour broadcast of  No Hero in Heroin on April 3, addiction counselors staffed a phone bank in the Rhode Island PBS studios to answer viewers’ questions about intervention, offer treatment referrals, and provide other addiction recovery information. Several phone calls were received that night, and agencies reported additional phone calls in the days following the broadcast. Subsequent broadcasts (the special aired 10 more times before April 22) included referral phone numbers posted at the end of program.

Rhode Island PBS also uploaded No Hero in Heroin to YouTube for greater public access.

Post-script: By the end of 2014, the overdose pace had slowed. The year ended with 232 accidental overdose deaths (comparable to 2013 levels) and 1,653 Narcan injections reported by the RI Department of Health.

“My best friend was one of these 72. Good to see it being addressed.”

- Amanda Collins YouTube comment

No Hero in Heroin: Overdoses in Rhode Island

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

IN THE COMMUNITY

Our Town is a new Rhode Island PBS community project based on the successful series pioneered at WPSU a decade ago. Rhode Island PBS launched the project to encourage residents of Rhode Island’s 31 towns to become storytellers and filmmakers, to share the charm and character of Rhode Island’s towns and villages.

With the slogan “Your voice, your vision,” the goals of Our Town at Rhode Island PBS are to tell interesting but perhaps unknown stories about Rhode Island’s towns; to build community among residents and businesses in the particular town; and to connect Rhode Island PBS to the community in a meaningful way.

The first town was Glocester, located in western Rhode Island. From meetings with town officials, business owners, and residents of Glocester and neighboring towns emerged a core group of storytellers who selected the topics and arranged filming. Rhode Island PBS provided technical (and moral) support throughout.

The resulting one-hour documentary premiered in early December in a live presentation at the studio. Glocester residents and friends involved in the production came into the studio to share their project experiences.

Stories in Our Town: Glocester included:• The family-owned Mulberry Vineyards. In “From Grape to Glass,” David and

Melissa Wright demonstrate how wine grapes are grown, harvested, pressed, and bottled in their weekend-hobby-turned-business in Chepachet.

• The Purple Cat, a family-owned restaurant and local gathering place for decades. • Chepachet of yesteryear, as seen through the eyes of town historian Edna Kent,

including how fires ravaged a good portion of Chepachet and how the townsfolk rebounded. • The Bates family of West Glocester, whose land includes a farm and has been in the family for nine generations. • Tavern on Main, the historic (and haunted) restaurant where wait staff and patrons describe their “spirited” encounters with

flying objects and bizarre behavior.• Ponagansett High School STEM program

Beyond the BoxThe Foster-Glocester Regional School District plans to use the STEM segment to illustrate the STEM program to other officials.Enthusiastic support for Our Town: Glocester poured in during the premiere, and continues even weeks later, with current and former residents contacting the station to talk about the film and request a DVD copy.

“Since this ‘Our Town’ project first aired I have been receiving a lot of compliments, praise and appreciation… I tell them that is a combination of the excellent work and cooperation from you… your great staff and the community of the town of Glocester.”

- Thomas Sanzi Our Town participant

Our Town: Connecting to Community

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

IN THE COMMUNITY

From Farmer Jack’s tractor to rebellious fruits, to talking carrots and magic portals, the message about nutritious eating and healthy living came through loud and clear - and creatively - in the winning stories in the Rhode Island PBS Kids Club Writers Contest. The purpose of the PBS contest is to promote reading and imaginative writing among children in Kindergarten through third grade.

More than 70 young authors in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts submitted stories with a healthy living theme to the Rhode Island PBS inaugural contest. Winners were recognized during a ceremony at Rhode Island PBS studios in April.

Kindergarten Oliver Shull of Newport, RI, for his story “Farmer Jack.” First GradeIris Bibea Leveillee of Providence, RI, for her story “Soccer is Fun and Healthy” Sage Beauregard of Cumberland, RI, for his story “The Food Problem” Nola Traynor of Providence, RI, for her story “Stay Healthy” George Groves of Providence, RI, for his story “Be Healthy” Second GradeAsher Pereira of Providence, RI, for his story “Healthy Power!” Grace Mazer of Providence, RI, for her story “Being Healthy” Morgan Fontaine of Pawtucket, RI, for her story “Cat and Sam’s Healthy Eating” Jacob Almo of Providence, RI, for his story “Katey and the Carrot”Third Grade Raye Osayimwese Sisson of Providence, RI, for her story “Healthy Living”Meghan Hastings of Rehoboth, MA, for her story “Carly’s Healthy Tips” Trevor Kessler of Providence, RI, for his story “The Wizard and the Dog” Sommadina Amaechina of North Providence, RI, for her story “The Fruit Portal”

The first place winning stories (one from each grade) went on to compete with entries from across the country in the national PBS contest in June. Locally, the first place winners from each grade returned to Rhode Island PBS studios to read their stories for the camera. All local winning entries were scanned and posted to the Rhode Island PBS Kids Club Web site.

Several organizations from across the state collaborated with Rhode Island PBS to promote the contest, as well as guide the children through the writing process and ensure that entries qualified: Cranston Public Library, Henry Barnard School in Providence, The Lincoln School in Providence, East Smithfield Public Library, Joy Feldman & The Picture of Children’s Health, Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport, RI Department of Health, and Salve Regina University in Newport.

This experience has been really important for Asher - he’s obsessed with doing well in sports, and I’m just so pleased that part of his early sense memory will also be a creative and intellectual achievement, so he knows what it feels like to work hard on something academic and reap those rewards - honestly, this has been priceless as a formative life experience...even if HE doesn’t know it yet!

- Paige ReynoldsParent

Encouraging Readers, Inspiring Writers

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

IN THE COMMUNITY

One in seven new mothers will experience postpartum depression within a year of giving birth. Raise the Curtain: Moving Through Darkness is a documentary film that seeks to demystify this most common complication of childbirth. Raise the Curtain sheds light in a moving and creative way on a problem that afflicts a staggering number of women who suffer in silence with this misunderstood disorder.

Rhode Island PBS collaborated with the filmmaker and Families First Rhode Island to bring the film to the community to spark conversations and bring attention to important issues such as mental health and wellness.

Produced by Rhode Island filmmaker Soren Sorensen, Raise the Curtain: Moving Through Darkness features compelling stories of Rhode Island families who have experienced postpartum depression firsthand. The film juxtaposes these heartfelt dialogues with original choreography by Colleen Cavanaugh and performed by Part of the Oath. The expressive ballet movements elegantly depict a woman’s struggle and triumph over the disorder, with a goal of raising awareness and decreasing the stigma related to this mood disorder.

“The fact that Families First RI can offer mentorship and support to these mothers and so many more, at no cost, is astonishing,” said Mr. Sorensen. “This project is a unique collaboration that continues to challenge and educate me. I hope it does the same for audiences,” Sorensen said.

Beyond the BoxWorking in collaboration with Mr. Sorensen and Families First Rhode Island and the Moms for Moms peer mentoring program, Rhode Island PBS hosted an off-camera referral help line phone bank staffed by trained volunteers, board members, and staff. New mothers and their loved ones who had questions called during the film for referral and support. Women interested in becoming volunteer mentors were also invited to call.

“We are grateful for Rhode Island PBS to not only share this film with their community but to also allow us to be a part of the evening by providing us an opportunity to be available to the viewers with a live call in component.”

- Jamie Puleo Families First RI

Raising the Curtain on Postpartum Depression

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

IN THE COMMUNITY

Job One: Leadership was an initiative by the Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership at Bryant University, The Providence Journal and Rhode Island PBS. The program was designed to focus on the central issue facing the state - public leadership. Job One: Leadership was organized to assist voters as they considered which candidates have the potential to provide visionary, critical, and effective leadership for the next four years.

“Voters need to focus like a laser on the ability of office seekers to be effective and visionary leaders,” said Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership Founder Gary Sasse. “Rhode Island’s major challenge is not financial or economic, though those are important, but rather the lack of

effective leadership at the state level that has the political will to connect the dots. On the city and town level, public officials are seen as more effective – but there is still much work to be done to restore faith and confidence.”

“There is no doubt that Rhode Island has some public servants whose priority is the public good, but that is not enough,” said Howard G. Sutton, publisher, president and CEO of The Providence Journal. “We must elect leaders who are guided by a moral compass, not by personal gain or partisan interests. We must elect leaders who have a vision, who can articulate that vision, and who can compel citizens to help achieve that vision. That’s the goal of this partnership.”

“Rhode Island PBS is pleased to be part of this important project. We take seriously our mission to be a valuable community resource, to present relevant and timely information to the public,” said David W. Piccerelli, president WSBE Rhode Island PBS. “During this election cycle especially, it’s essential that voters have the information they need to properly evaluate the candidates’ qualifications, and choose the leaders who will provide the right direction for our state.”

Throughout the election cycle Job One: Leadership focused on the characteristics and abilities of effective leaders or potential leaders. A baseline poll conducted in March 2014 that measured the public opinion on state and local elected officials. It asked 438 registered voters to rate their leaders (82% said state leaders are poor or fair, 54% said local leaders were fair or poor).

Beyond the BoxLeadership questions posed to candidates for governor were videotaped and made available for voter consideration on the air, online, and in written form.

A Job One: Leadership “Voters’ Guide for Effective Leadership” was available as a tool for voters to measure the leadership skills of candidates across the central issues of problem solving, communication, responsiveness, fiscal management, conflict management, accessibility, ability to lead, and integrity.

A month before the general elections, Job One: Leadership convened a public discussion about what it means to be an effective leader.

Job One: Leadership

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

IN THE COMMUNITY

In the summer of 2014, Rhode Island PBS and newportFILM announced a new collaboration to present local documentary films both at the year-round film festival and on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

The first film, Endless Abilities, chronicles the cross country road trip adventure of Rhode Islanders Zachary Bastian, paralyzed nine years ago, and three of his best friends, Tripp Clemens, Will Humphrey, Harvey Burrell, as they search for adaptive sports for individuals with physical disabilities.

Endless Abilities was shown by newportFILM on June 26 at the Casino Theater in Newport, and marked the start of the newportFILM Homegrown project, an initiative to solicit and show works by local

filmmakers. Endless Abilities aired on Rhode Island PBS on August 7 as part of the ongoing local documentary series, Rhode Island Stories.

“We are truly thrilled to launch this project with Rhode Island PBS,” said Andrea van Beuren, founder and artistic director of newportFILM. “There is such an incredible abundance of homegrown talent in Rhode Island, and this project is a great way to bring attention to these films on both the big screen and the little screen.”

This collaboration is a creative extension of the station’s own plan to bring more local programming to the Rhode Island PBS audience. Showcasing the quality work of local filmmakers is what viewers demand, and it is what Rhode Island PBS does best as part of Rhode Island Stories. The collaboration benefits the filmmakers, too, as they share their stories with a much broader television audience.

Beyond the BoxThe June 26 screening represented the film’s official US festival premiere. After the 90-minute newportFILM screening, there was a question and answer session with filmmakers Tripp Clemens, Harvey Burrell, Will Humphrey, and Zach Bastian.

Rhode Island PBS and newportFILM plan additional screening and broadcast pairings in 2015.

“There is such an incredible abundance of homegrown talent in Rhode Island, and this project is a great way to bring attention to these films on both the big screen and the little screen.”

- Andrea van Beuren newportFILM

Endless Abilities: Collaboration with newportFILM

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

IN THE COMMUNITY

Rhode Island PBS and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) at Brown University collaborated to present a unique tripart event that brought the vibrant Latin-inspired music culture of Miami to Providence. The event included broadcast of a documentary film on Rhode Island PBS, as well as a screening of the film at a local neighborhood movie house, followed by a live musical performance of a band featured in the film.

Miami Boheme: An American Musical Journey made its New England debut on Rhode Island PBS on October 5. The hour-long film opens a window on the Latin-fusion bands and culture in Miami and the cutting-edge scene surrounding them. The film takes viewers to clubs where the beats of bands such as Spam Allstars, Locos Por Juana, Suénalo, PALO!, Elastic Bond, and Afrobeta get the room dancing.

One of the bands featured in the film, PALO!, took their unique blend of Afro-Cuban Funk from the screen onto the local dance floor in a live concert in a local performance venue, inviting Rhode Islanders to sample Miami’s vibrant Latin music and culture a number

of ways, sharing the story with the Rhode Island PBS television audience, movie fans, and fans of live performance.

Beyond the BoxFollowing the television debut of Miami Boheme: An American Musical Journey on October 5, the film was shown at a free public screening on October 8 at The Avon Cinema in Providence. The community screening event featured a panel discussion with filmmakers Joe Cardona and Ralf Gonzalez, and producer Steve Roitstein, as well as members of the Miami-based Afro-Cuban funk band PALO! The screening was then followed by a live performance by PALO! at a local performance club in Providence, The Spot Underground. Both the screening and the performance were free and open to the public.

“The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at Brown was thrilled to collaborate with Rhode Island PBS to bring Miami to Providence.”

- Richard Snyder CLACS

Art in Real Life: Miami Boheme

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

STORIES OF IMPACT

Visiting with Rhode Island Classroom

Rhode Island PBS is always happy to share with students of all ages our knowledge and resources. The content is tailored to be age appropriate to engage the students at their level of attention and comprehension, as well as to fulfill the purpose of the visit. Whether it’s helping a Cub Scout troop earn a communications merit badge, or introducing television production to home school students, the connections made and inspiration sparked are universally rewarding and felt by students and staff alike.

In 2013, Dr. Christopher Westgate, assistant professor for media and communications studies at Johnson & Wales University, brought his class of 40 students to the studios for a discussion about public media. The large group was divided into two smaller groups for a more personalized experience: while one group was in the lecture and question and answer discussion, the other group was touring the station. The interactions during the discussion and the tour were lively and engaging.

After the visit, Dr. Westgate and his students found the experience so rewarding, he planned to schedule a tour for his next class. In the autumn of 2014, Dr. Westgate and a new class of students returned to Rhode Island PBS. He wrote:

Rhode Island Classroom explores the programs, people, and policies that are helping Rhode Island children receive a better education. And, if there’s one thing Rhode Island PBS has learned in our 47 years of experience in education, it’s that effective learning is not confined to a traditional classroom.

In 2014, episodes of Rhode Island Classroom explored how yoga and mindful practices are teaching children life lessons of coping and resiliency; how the new GED exam is more difficult and more expensive to complete; how a college applicant can stand out; what students visiting Battleship Cove and the USS Massachusetts learn about D-Day and World War II on the 70th anniversary; how former NBA player and heroin addict Chris Herren influenced Chariho High School students against the dangers of drugs and bad decisions.

A Rhode Island Classroom Visits with Us

“Not only did [my students] develop an appreciation for the structure of your organization, my students now have a better understanding of the differences between public and commercial media.”

- Christopher J. Westgate, PhD Johnson & Wales University

“Thanks again for hosting us on our annual visit. My media & communication students learned a lot about the ways in which [Rhode Island] PBS, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting interact. Not only did they develop an appreciation for the structure of your organization, my students now have a better understanding of the differences between public and commercial media. On our way back to the university, students reiterated how informative they found your session to be. They enjoyed having their questions answered, and thought the tour was a good way to see how the parts of the station form a larger whole. There were more than a few aspiring program hosts who took ‘selfies on the set’ to share with the university community, their friends, and family.”

Christopher J. Westgate, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, Media & Communication StudiesDepartment of English, John Hazen White College of Arts & SciencesJohnson & Wales University, Providence, Rhode Island

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

STORIES OF IMPACT

URI Today: The Science of Storytelling

Rhode Island PBS and the University of Rhode Island collaborate to present URI Today, a television series that explores the fascinating and innovative scientific research work at our state university.

The popular series featured 30-minute episodes and covered diverse topics: “Baby Talk” examines longitudinal research with premature babies being conducted by two URI nursing professors; “Science of Survival” examines innovative work being done at URI in immunology and ecology; “Sharks” examines how University of Rhode Island faculty and alumni are conducting internationally recognized research and experiments to develop a better understanding of these misunderstood creatures.

Rhode Island PBS, the Rhode Island Blood Center, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank partnered to create a special summertime giving opportunity that enabled the three organizations to better serve our communities.

Promoting the Blood + Food Drive drive through the organizations’ networks and in the business park where both the Food Bank and Rhode Island PBS are located, the public was invited to donate blood and (or) a non-perishable food item. The event, held in August, sported the slogan, “These needs never take a vacation.” Held in the parking lot of the RICFB around the corner from Rhode Island PBS studios, the blood drive attracted 14 donors, more than typical for a summer blood drive. Food Bank staff offered tours of their facility as they accepted food items to help feed the 63,000 Rhode Islanders who visit various food pantries across the state each month. This event was planned to coincide with the Food Bank’s Summer Food Drive to collect 150,000 pounds of food by August 31.

Summertime Blood + Food Drive: Because These Needs Never Take a Vacation

As part of the national American Graduate initiative among public television stations, Rhode Island PBS produced three profiles of local educators who are making a difference in the lives of their students:

* Brother Lawrence Goyette, founder of the San Miguel School for inner-city boys, inspires his students to excel in school; * Dr. Gara Field, principal of Pleasantview Elementary School, transformed an underperforming school through technology in the classroom; and * Vanessa Weiner, founder of Resilient Kids, brings meditation and mindfulness into classrooms to help students cope and overcome stress and conflict.

Following the broadcast of American Graduate on September 27, these local stories of impact were shown individually throughout the Rhode Island PBS and Learn schedules in the autumn of 2014.

Stories of Champions: Impact of Local Educators

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

STORIES OF IMPACT2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

EVALUATING OUTCOMES, MEASURING IMPACT

More Than Just TV

With more and more local school districts cutting back on fine arts and music programs, and the expense of live entertainment being curtailed in many household budgets, WSBE remains an excellent, accessible source for exploring and experiencing cultural programming.

Enriching Viewers with Expert Advice

Since 1978, WSBE Rhode Island PBS has partnered with the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants produces a tax preparation program that airs during the height of tax filing season. The program outlines new tax codes, and features strategic and money-saving tips for taxpayers. The 2014 program was comprised of short, independent segments that also aired separately as interstitials between programs throughout the TV schedule.

We get calls two to three months in advance asking when the programs will air. These programs are highly valued by our viewers for the relevant, understandable, and timely information.

WSBE’s relationship with PBS differs from that between other area non-commercial stations and PBS. As a 25% Program Differentiation Participant (PDP), WSBE has a different schedule. We present popular how-to, drama, comedy, music, and documentary programs from other program distributors around the world, and still present great signature series that are the hallmark of PBS programming. PDP gives WSBE greater flexibility to air the kind of local, independent programs our viewers tell us are important to them.

The WSBE Difference Partners in Lifelong Learning

In 2014, WSBE worked with the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Salve Regina University, Brown University, Bryant University, Johnson & Wales University, the RI Society of CPAs, the Audubon Society of RI, RI Department of Health, RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Cranston Public Library, East Smithfield Public Library, Joy Feldman and The Picture of Children’s Health, Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport, AS220, State Ballet of Rhode Island, Sandra Feinstein Gamm Theatre, and newportFILM to bring educational opportunities that are fun and enriching for Rhode Island’s children and adults.

2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

STORIES OF IMPACT2014 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT

EVALUATING OUTCOMES, MEASURING IMPACT

SNAPSHOTS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA