Nonprofit News

National Public Radio's CEO and representatives for several Eastern Pennsylvania public media organizations joined a forum in Bethlehem on Thursday hosted by Lehigh Valley Public Media. The officials said a looming clawback of federal funding could force meaningful cuts.

"A Community Conversation: Broadcast in the Balance" examines funding cuts under consideration in Congress to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The cuts would result in the defunding of more than $1 billion over two years to public media outlets across the country.

Easton City Council approved $1 million in grant applications for community organizations and city programs, though the potential for the CDBG program to disappear remains an ever-present threat.

The city of Allentown is set to get $1.9 million, while dozens of nonprofits — including food banks — and other groups will split $3.8 million from the trust's annual disbursement.

If Congress adopts a measure clawing back $1.1 billion allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Bethlehem community radio station WDIY would need to come up with $200,000 dollars in new funding. "It's money I don't have," the nonprofit's executive director said Tuesday.

The Keystone Media Awards recognize excellence in journalism and the news media. Lehigh Valley Public Media captured awards in digital news, radio broadcast and television production.

Alumni celebrated the PBS39 quiz show's 50-year run at the Iacocca Conference Center at Lehigh University on Friday. The celebration continued Saturday with a screening of a documentary at the Univest Public Media Center on the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem.

The Neighborhood Center and Andre Reed Foundation are partnering to kick off the season with an event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 344 N. 7th St.

Members of Adult Skills Quest, tutors, students, politicians and more came together at the Pomfret Club in Easton Thursday to celebrate the educational achievements of adults seeking continued education.

Speakers at the Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Allentown City Hall on Thursday emphasized the amount of work yet to be done in guaranteeing equality for all.

Lehigh University and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation are collaborating to create a more successful connection between rehabilitation applications and improvement for individuals with a range of injuries and conditions.

From Allentown to Easton, volunteers spent the day beautifying schools, reading to seniors and building beds for shelters. The American Red Cross and the Allentown Fire Department also participated by installing smoke detectors in homes across the city during the annual event.

A recent donation to the Lehigh Valley's County Animal Response Team, or LVCART, will provide the agency with life-saving equipment to aid pets within the first 72 hours after an emergency is declared.

New for this year, among the two different kinds of sheep, rabbits, miniature donkeys and ponies live at the Johnson Barn, there also will be 10 Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy goats on site for snuggling.

It will offer affordable spay and neuter surgeries, wellness visits, vaccines, TNR services and more, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday by appointment only.

PPL will hold a small appliance recycling event, scheduled for Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20, that will accept room air conditioners and dehumidifiers in working condition, according to a release.

New Bethany resident Hannah Becker, in a video shown at the event, thanked New Bethany and all its people for “allowing me the opportunity to begin again.”

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley received a $35,000 donation from The Giant Company.

Terry Schew said he lives in an encampment on nearby Norfolk Southern railroad property that’s facing a Dec. 15 eviction.

Easton's community has come out in force to offer support to the family and friends of firefighter Tyler Weidner, who died last week.

A retired Easton teacher is aiming to bring South Side Easton a new community library focused on helping the young and old throughout the neighborhood.

Allentown City Council last month gave Mayor Matt Tuerk 30 days to acquire a property for safe camping or temporary shelter for residents of an encampment due to close Sept. 29. Tuerk says he won't meet that deadline.