Tag: Chuck Roberts

Energy Express, WVPB bringing youth program into homes this summer

WVU Extension Service and West Virginia Public Broadcasting have partnered to bring youth programming into the homes of West Virginia families.

WVU Extension Service’s Energy Express, a six-week, summer reading program hosted by Joel Brown, have begun broadcasting across West Virginia this summer. The 30-minute episodes will air Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m. and feature engaging activities in literacy, STEM, art, cooking, nature, nutrition and more.

“We’re grateful for this opportunity to partner with West Virginia Public Broadcasting. It will allow us to complement the virtual and at-home programming we already have available for children enrolled in Energy Express, while expanding our reach to other children and families across the state,” Andrea Price, director, WVU Extension Service Energy Express, said. “Viewers will learn about animals and insects; how to grow your own food; how to make quick, delicious recipes; build machines; follow along with celebrity readers; and much more. Our faculty, staff and partners have worked hard to develop this engaging, creative programming for families across the state.”

WVPB Executive Director Chuck Roberts said adding Energy Express to WVPB’s lineup is a continuation of public broadcasting’s efforts to bring at-home learning to children across the Mountain State.

“We see the toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken on our educational system,” Roberts said. “We found that many children don’t have access to internet, computers or tablets. One county may provide equipment. Another county may not have the resources. Education is our priority and being able to take high-quality, locally produced educational programming into children’s homes is a pleasure and helps us fulfill our mission.

“Plus, the show is great!” Roberts added. “Energy Express is full of engaging programming, fun experiments and much-needed guidance for kids about healthy eating choices.”

WVPB is available on many cable systems throughout the Mountain State as well as over the air. To view Energy Express segments online, visit energyexpress.wvu.edu.

During a typical summer, WVU Extension Service’s Energy Express reading program pairs children with caring AmeriCorps members and other volunteers who work with them in person to improve reading and comprehension using books, journals, art, STEM, games and other activities. Earlier this year, Energy Express program adapted this traditional “in-person” format to a virtual and at-home format to address public health concerns. Through the partnership with WVPB, Energy Express on-air programming will provide greater access to literacy and other learning activities for children and families statewide.

For more information about Energy Express, visit energyexpress.wvu.edu.

Andrea Billups Will Lead WVPB's News Team

Andrea Billups has joined the West Virginia Public Broadcasting team as news director, effective today.  

 

Billups, a native of Hurricane, W.Va., is a veteran national reporter, author, media consultant and educator. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Marshall University, where she was a 2018 inductee into the Marshall University Journalism Hall of Fame. She earned her master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Florida. 

 

Executive Director Chuck Roberts said the search to fill the critical role began in March 2020.

“The process was made possible by a thoughtful committee of seven West Virginia Public Broadcasting staffers from across a variety of departments, including the News Department,” Roberts said. “I am grateful for the unique perspective brought by everyone on the hiring committee. With her selection, Andrea brings  her experience, skills, journalistic integrity and leadership to our team. I’m also really pleased we could bring her back to her Mountain State roots.”

 

Billups’ work has been published in Time, US News, Reader’s Digest, Money, the Washington Post, The Washington Times and many other publications. She is a former staff correspondent for PEOPLE magazine and is a current contributor to the magazine and its digital counterpart, PEOPLE.com. Billups also taught journalism at five universities including Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, the University of South Florida, the University of Florida and most recently, Western Kentucky University, where she served for two years as a professional-in-residence.

 

“I am thrilled to join West Virginia Public Broadcasting as news director,” Billups said. “While I have had a long national media career, it’s my desire to help my home state by using what I’ve learned to raise the bar on its news coverage. Now more than ever, we need a strong and thoughtful media presence. Our tenacious storytelling team seeks to lead the conversation about our challenges and shine a bright light on West Virginia’s unique and oft-unsung strengths.”

The news director position is housed at WVPB’s Charleston headquarters. Billups will oversee the direction of WVPB’s statewide news programming and lead its team of reporters and news producers. She also will serve on the organization’s Leadership Team.

WVPB Wins Three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s news team has earned three awards in the Radio Television Digital News Association’s 2020 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.

WVPB’s News Team won regional awards in the Region 8, Small Market Radio Division, competing with news agencies from throughout Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. WVPB won the following categories:

Executive Director Chuck Roberts said the WVPB news team is committed to excellence in journalism.
“The work we do to bring people the important stories of Appalachia — from strikes in the energy industry, to folkways stories and to stories about the struggles of working mothers — deserves recognition,” Roberts said. “Although we don’t do what we do to win awards, we are honored to have earned three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.

“I am proud of the work that Brittany, Caitlin, and the Inside Appalachia team did to bring these award-winning stories to the world,” Roberts said.

Regional winners proceed to the national round of the competition.

RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in journalism with these awards since 1971. Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession of electronic journalism.

'Education Station' Is A Learn-At-Home Resource From The State Department Of Education And WVPB

The West Virginia Department of Education has entered into a partnership with West Virginia Public Broadcasting to deliver student engagement content for West Virginia students amid the COVID-19 school closures. This partnership will provide students with access to a twice-weekly program called “Education Station,” helping them to keep their skills sharp; keeping them connected to the learning process; and supplementing other resources from their schools and counties.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning March 31, West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s statewide television network will deliver a 30-minute program from 9 to 9:30 a.m.

“Education Station” will be developed and provided by educators from the classrooms as well as  West Virginia Department of Education staff members, and will address the critical need for student engagement, regardless of internet connectivity or operational devices at the student’s home.

“I am very impressed with these segments because they will assist us in engaging with our students and families during the school closure,” said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools W. Clayton Burch. “The partnership is an important component of our broader student outreach and support as it provides an extension for us to be more creative and flexible in meeting the needs of our children. I am grateful for West Virginia Public Broadcasting, and their enthusiasm for helping us meet this need.”

“We are excited to collaborate with the West Virginia Department of Education in providing an educational resource in this time of need,” said West Virginia Public Broadcasting Executive Director Chuck Roberts. “Our mission is to educate, inspire, and inform using our statewide television, radio, and digital network and we are so pleased to work with the WVDE in providing this essential at-home learning service.  The hope is that we can help keep teachers and students connected and engaged during this unprecedented time.”

WVPB is available on many cable systems throughout the Mountain State as well as over the air. To view Education Station segments visit WVPB Education.

The WVDE has compiled additional resources for educators and families on the WVDE website. These resources include both technology-driven and screen-free options for grades pre-k through 12. Visit wvde.us/covid19/resources or details and guidance.

In addition to the resources available through the WVDE, West Virginia Public Broadcasting has dedicated a page to the COVID-19 pandemic with information, including additional educational resources. Visit wvpublic.org for more information.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and more, call the state’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or visit Coronavirus.wv.gov.

For more information about the production of “Education Station,” contact Christy Day at the West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications at 304-558-2699 or Christy.Day@k12.wv.us.

Be sure to follow WVDE on Facebook and Twitter and WVPB on Facebook and Twitter.

Guidelines for video submission:

Guidelines for Education Station video submissions by educators.

WVPB Will Continue To Provide Essential Services During Governor's Stay-At-Home Directive

CHARLESTON, W.VA. — West Virginia Public Broadcasting will continue to provide essential news and entertainment across WVPB’s statewide television, radio and digital network throughout the duration of the stay-at-home directive from Governor Justice.

Programming will continue to be provided by a mix of remote and in-studio employees, said Executive Director Chuck Roberts in a message to employees Monday. He said all nonessential employees will be asked to stay at home and abide by the governor’s order. Employees in charge of keeping the radio, television and digital programming on the air, satellite feeds working, and towers repaired and transmitting, will be asked to report to work while following social distancing protocols. Much of the news team, along with many people from other departments, will be working remotely.
 

“We have an important job to do and we take it very seriously,” Roberts said. “When you watch a press conference from the Capitol, you’re more than likely watching it on a feed provided by WVPB. Throughout this situation, many West Virginians are getting their news right from the source on our website and Facebook pages or on The West Virginia Channel. We are happy to provide that important service at a time like this. It will continue.

“The health and safety of our employees and their loved ones is critical, and we’re all responsible for slowing the roll of COVID-19. So, we’ve worked out a creative system to still fulfill our obligation to our  loyal audience members,” Roberts said.

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About WVPB
West Virginia Public Broadcasting engages more than 2 million people every year utilizing its radio and television towers, as well as its news site, wvpublic.org.

WVPB is an indispensable resource for education, news and public affairs, emergency services and economic development for West Virginia. Headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, the agency has locations and/or reporters in Morgantown, Wheeling, Shepherdstown and Beckley.

The entire WVPB team, from production to news, and education to programming, aspires to inform, educate, protect, and inspire our listeners and viewers of the Mountain State’s public broadcasting organization.

Our news and feature content may be used by other news outlets with permission and full credit to the author and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Contact Lalena Price for more information. lprice@wvpublic.org.

EBA Names Chuck Roberts Executive Director of WVPB

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Educational Broadcasting Authority has appointed Chuck Roberts executive director of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

EBA Chairman Bill File made the announcement during the authority’s quarterly meeting today. Board members voted unanimously in support of the search committee’s recommendation.

“We had a great pool of candidates, hired an outside firm to work with us during the selection process and formed a search committee to give us its best recommendation,” File said. “We look forward to working with you for a very long period of time.”

Roberts has served as interim director since April when Scott Finn took a job with Vermont Public Radio. Roberts said he’s both honored and pleased to take the position.

“I’m grateful for the faith put in me by the Educational Broadcasting Authority and for the opportunity to lead the dedicated people of West Virginia Public Broadcasting,” Roberts said. “We are in the midst of many critical initiatives right now and the WVPB team is focused on several important community engagement projects. It’s a great time to be here and, again, I’m thankful to continue the great work we’re doing to grow the WVPB brand.”

WVPB has two other boards that support its mission, the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, Inc., and the Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

“Working with the EBA is an honor as is working with the committed members of our supporting foundations. We could not do what we do without their guidance and support,” Roberts said.

Roberts has worked his way up through the ranks of West Virginia Public Broadcasting from his start with the organization in 2000 as a video production associate. He became video production manager in Charleston in 2004 and was named director of video production nine years later. In 2016, Roberts was selected to serve as chief operating officer of the organization.

He earned a B.S. in Mass Communications from West Virginia State University and is currently pursuing an MBA from Marshall University.

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