From the President

As we continue to navigate our lives and the world around us during this COVID-19 crisis, WXXI will do everything possible to keep our community well-informed with the latest official information. WXXI and NPR are bringing you reliable news about the Coronavirus – facts and advice from the nation’s top healthcare professionals, as well as information about schools, workplaces, and public gatherings and events in our community. As Governor Cuomo has closed all non-essential businesses in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, we are all trying to adapt to this new normal. Our offices on State Street are far more quiet with the majority of staff working from home – much like yourselves, we are doing what we can to help flatten the curve.

We are, however, considered an essential business -- providing in-depth news coverage, educational resources, as well as radio and television programming. And so, a small core of radio hosts, journalists, engineers and facilities staff have been reporting to the office to ensure that we continue to keep our community informed by providing extensive coverage on this outbreak. I am so proud of WXXI News and CITY Newspaper for their outstanding coverage on this constantly changing situation we are in. 

WXXI-TV continues to broadcast a weekday “Learn At Home” schedule to support families, educators, and students. WXXI’s Education team and our television department have worked diligently to pull this schedule together. Our education team has also curated companion resources online, plus has assembled activity packets for Rochester City School District’s PreK students that will be distributed at the City's designated food distribution sites later this week. You can learn more about the schedule of broadcast programs and all of the resources at WXXI.org/education

Classical 91.5 and WRUR continue to provide a respite through music while our television programs continue to provide an entertaining diversion as we find ourselves homebound. In fact, The Little Theatre is transforming into the Virtual Little for an online screening of Bacurau (click here to learn more about the screening) – as we look for ways to connect to the community at home. We have heard a great number of members over the past week, thanking us for bringing them everything from essential news to PBS Kids to an endless source of programming on WXXI Passport. And because of your membership support, we will continue to do so. Together we will get through this.

Listen to this message from WXXI President Norm Silverstein, who shares how WXXI's various services are helping the community during the COVID-19 crisis. You can hear the message here.