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Can you believe it's already the holiday season? Where does the time go?

It's been a year of achievements for your local public media station. This year, WHRO Public Media won 20 Telly Awards, four Virginia Association of Broadcasters Awards, four Emmy Awards, four Public Media Journalist Association Awards, and four Public Media Awards − including one for Excellence in Education, the industry's top award! WHRO was also named once again as a Top Workplace in Hampton Roads by Inside Business!

WHRO is very proud of the expansion of WHRO News, and I am proud to announce that our newsroom now has a staff of 10 professionals. We have continued to ramp up local news coverage in the region with the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism (VCIJ) at WHRO. If you didn't already know, VCIJ at WHRO reporters Brandi Kellam and Louis Hansen recently wrote an investigative series called "Erasing the Black Spot" that has received national coverage from both ProPublica and Apple News. The "Erasing the Black Spot" series displays how Virginia universities have disrupted black neighborhoods historically and in the present day. These are the types of stories that prove why local journalism is both important and impactful.

The station has also received positive feedback on the launch of a new TV channel − FNX, or − First Nations Experience. FNX is the first and only Native American and Indigenous TV channel in southeastern Virginia. First Nations Experience is truly the voice of Native American and indigenous communities, and WHRO is proud to locally broadcast FNX in southeastern Virginia on Cox 106, you can also stream live online.

As we head into the holidays, get ready to swing into the season with Jae Sinnett's Zero to 60 Quartet with special guest Randy Brecker for A Swingin' Christmas. From "Sleigh Ride" to "Silent Night," these tunes will be given a jazzy twist that's sure to get you in the spirit. Join us for this one-night special, airing Friday, December 1, at 8:30 p.m. on WHRO TV 15.

'Tis the season to support what you love! I hope you will join us and consider including WHRO in your holiday gift-giving this year. Our holiday television and radio membership drives are also taking place in late November and December. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

And from our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

Bert Schmidt
President & Chief Executive Officer
WHRO Public Media