News Summary:
WCNY will host its inaugural “Mission: Honor Our Heroes” event on April 7, 2026, recognizing Michael Haynie, founder and executive director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and incoming Syracuse University chancellor; Rear Admiral John Paddock, co-founder of Honor Flight Syracuse; and Colonel Bill Smullen, former CEO of Clear Path for Veterans, for their service. Previously, on March 24, 2026, WCNY announced the return of its locally produced culinary and party show, “Spatchcock Funk,” for its third season, which premiered nationwide on April 7 across more than 50 U.S. markets. Earlier, on January 20, 2026, WCNY rebranded its monthly public affairs series “CONNECT: NY” as “The Capitol Pressroom,” airing on WCNY-TV and other stations across New York. This followed a November 6, 2025, guest opinion piece co-authored by WCNY President and CEO Mitch Gelman, which discussed public media's evolving role and purpose in communities following federal funding eliminations. In August 2025, the Central New York Community Foundation provided WCNY with a nearly $500,000 loan to help maintain a job training program for adults interested in television and film industry careers.
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