Stay tuned to WLIW on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates on the storm in our viewing area. For more extensive coverage of the storm, visit MetroFocus and watch our broadcast special online.

We are very disappointed that PBS became a political target in the Presidential debate last night.  Governor Romney does not understand the value the American people place on public broadcasting and the outstanding return on investment the system delivers to our nation. We think it is important to set the record straight and let the facts speak for themselves.

The federal investment in public broadcasting equals about one one-hundredth of one percent of the federal budget. Elimination of funding would have virtually no impact on the nation’s debt. Yet the loss to the American public would be devastating.

A national survey by the bipartisan research firms of Hart Research and American Viewpoint in 2011 in found that over two-thirds of American voters (69%) oppose proposals to eliminate government funding of public broadcasting, with Americans across the political spectrum against such a cut.

As a stated supporter of education, Governor Romney should be a champion of public broadcasting, yet he is willing to wipe out services that reach the vast majority of Americans, including underserved audiences, such as children who cannot attend preschool and citizens living in rural areas.

For more than 40 years Big Bird has embodied the public broadcasting mission – harnessing the power of media for the good of every citizen, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. Our system serves as a universally accessible resource for education, history, science, arts and civil discourse.

Over the course of a year, 91% of all U.S. television households tune into their local PBS station. In fact, our service is watched by 81% of all children between the ages of 2-8.

Each day, the American public receives an enduring and daily return on investment that is heard, seen, read and experienced in public broadcasting broadcasts, apps, podcasts, and online – all for the cost of about $1.35 per person per year.

Earlier in 2012, a Harris Interactive poll confirmed that Americans consider PBS the most trusted public institution and the second most valuable use of public funds, behind only national defense, for the 9th consecutive year.

A key thing to remember is that public television and radio stations are locally owned and community focused and they are experts in working efficiently to make limited resources produce results. In fact, for every $1.00 of federal funding invested, they raise an additional $6.00 on their own – a highly effective public-private partnership.

Numerous studies — including one requested by Congress earlier this year — have stated categorically that while the federal investment in public broadcasting is relatively modest, the absence of this critical seed money would cripple the system and bring its services to an end.

There will be a special members-only viewing of the “Terracotta Warriors” exhibit at the Discovery Times Center on Thursday, August 16th at 7 p.m. The viewing will include a performance by a modern Chinese orchestra, a reception with Chinese-inspired hors d’oeuvres, and a Q&A session with exhibit curator Kristen Romey and Willow Chang of the China Institute.  A pair of tickets to this exclusive event is our thank you for your generous donation of $200. Donate and learn more here.

This year, WNET garnered 14 Emmy nominations – five for the News and Documentary Emmy Awards, presented on October 1, and nine for the Primetime Emmy Awards, presented on September 23. PBS collectively received 58 nominations, third behind HBO (81) and CBS (60). Congratulations and good luck to all of our nominees!

And the nominees are…

News and Documentary Emmy Nominations

Outstanding Nature Programming
Broken Tail: A Tiger’s Last Journey
My Life as a Turkey

Outstanding Individual Achievement In A Craft: Cinematography – Documentary And Long Form
Bears of the Last Frontier
Broken Tail: A Tiger’s Last Journey
My Life as a Turkey

Primetime Emmy Nominations

Outstanding Variety Special
Tony Bennett: Duets II (Great Performances) • PBS • A Production of RPM TV Productions, Inc.

Outstanding Special Class Programs
Herbie Hancock, Gustavo Dudamel And The LA Phil Celebrate Gershwin (Great Performances) • PBS • A production of THIRTEEN in association with WNET, BFMI, WDR in cooperation with ARTE, Los Angeles
Philharmonic Association and C Major

Outstanding Nonfiction Series
American Masters • PBS • A Production of B Plus Productions, LLC in association with Thirteen’s American Masters for WNET
Susan Lacy, Executive Producer for American Masters
Robert Weide, Producer
Erik Gordon, Executive Producer
Andrew Karsch, Executive Producer
Michael Peyser, Executive Producer
Brett Ratner, Executive Producer
Fisher Stevens, Executive Producer

Outstanding Directing For Nonfiction Programming
American Masters • Woody Allen: A Documentary • PBS • A Production of B Plus Productions, LLC in association with Thirteen’s American Masters for WNET
Robert B. Weide, Director

Outstanding Writing For Nonfiction Programming
American Masters • Johnny Carson: King Of Late Night • PBS • A Co-Production of Thirteen’s American Masters for WNET and Peter Jones Productions, Inc.
Peter Jones, Written by

Outstanding Picture Editing For Nonfiction Programming
American Masters • Johnny Carson: King Of Late Night • PBS • A Co-Production of Thirteen’s American Masters for WNET and Peter Jones Productions, Inc.
Mark Catalena, Editor

Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special
Andrea Bocelli Live In Central Park (Great Performances) • PBS • A Production of Sugar s.r.l. and THIRTEEN for WNET
Robert Barnhart, Lighting Designer
Ted Wells, Lighting Director
Matt Firestone, Lighting Director
Harry Sangmeister, Lighting Director

Outstanding Music Direction
The Thomashefskys: Music And Memories Of A Life In The Yiddish Theater (Great Performances) • PBS • A production of the Thomashefsky Film Project LLC and Thirteen for WNET
Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director

Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
Memphis (Great Performances) • PBS • Broadway Worldwide, Inc.
Steven Cimino, Technical Director
Paul J. Cangialosi, Camera
John Pinto, Camera
Chuck Goslin, Camera
Barry Frischer, Camera
Jeff Latonero, Camera
Len Wechsler, Camera
Susan Noll, Video Control
J.M. Hurley, Video Control

Moments ago, it was announced that the ACA is upheld with the exception that the federal government’s power to terminate states’ Medicaid funds is narrowly read.

Watch live reactions to this morning’s health care ruling via PBS NewsHour below, and tune in tonight at 6 p.m. for full coverage.

Free desktop streaming application by Ustream

This month, our Community Stories campaign highlights Russian American, Yelena Makhnin. Here, Makhnin discusses emigrating from Russia to the U.S. and the value of public television in making the arts accessible to all New Yorkers.

Learn more about the campaign and view previous videos here.

Check out related stories on THIRTEEN’s local news and culture site, MetroFocus.

While you’re enjoying the fun, you can show us your support — Fairway Market Red Hook will donate 10% of all sales from noon to 2 p.m. to WNET. And don’t miss your chance to win a prize pack, including Lidia’s new book, Lidia’s Italy in America, a gift card from Fairway, and a THIRTEEN/WLIW21 tote bag! Enter online now or text “LIDIA” to 30644.

Lidia’s new series, based on the book of the same title, Lidia’s Italy in America, airs on Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. on THIRTEEN, Mondays at 8 p.m. on WLIW21 and Saturdays at 3 p.m. on NJTV.

Anchor Jim Paymar

Long Island Business Report presents an in-depth look at the current economic state of Long Island and reveals what needs to be done in order to improve working and living conditions for the future. Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer and Anchor Jim Paymar (Business Week, CNBC, WABC-TV, WCBS-TV, WNBC-TV) examines the status of Long Island’s infrastructure and rising costs of living, as well as the potential for revitalization in it’s downtown areas. The program analyzes the financial, educational, and social aspects that make up Long Island’s increasingly diverse community and addresses how advancements in these areas can help maintain the thriving towns and villages.

This half-hour special features interviews with Kevin Law, president of the Long Island Association, Lawrence Levy, award-winning journalist and Executive Dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University, and Nancy Rauch Douzinas, president of the Rauch Foundation.  These business leaders and industry experts provide insight into the existing economic issues in Long Island and assess what changes must be made to bring new businesses and job opportunities to Suffolk and Nassau counties.

Long Island Business Report premieres Tuesday, May 1 at 10:30 p.m. on WLIW 21.

This month, our Community Stories campaign highlights Chinese American, Wellington Z. Chen. Here, he discusses how he started studying architecture and the diversity of New York City.

Learn more about the campaign and view previous videos here.

This year, WNET and PBS producers are finalists for five Webby Awards – the most prestigious award in interactive media, honoring outstanding websites, interactive advertising, online film & video, and mobile & apps.

The nominees, announced today by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, were chosen from nearly 10,000 entries from over 60 countries and all 50 states.

Have a favorite web site or app that you think is deserving of a Webby? Place your vote with The Webby People’s Voice Awards!

WNET received nominations for:

PBS Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly: Best Websites – Religion & Spirituality Category

Women, War and Peace Documentary Shorts: Online Film & Video – Documentary Series Category

Beyond WNET, PBS also received nominations for:

pbskids.org: Best Youth web site; other nominees include Sesame Street, Muppets and National Geographic.

pbs.tv: Best Television web site; other nominees include Hulu and HBO Connect.

PBS for iPad: Best tablet (Entertainment category); other nominees include HBO GO and The Onion.

In addition to Webby nominations, the PBS Kids Video App and PBS Arts: Off Book were each designated as an Official Honoree of the Webby Awards.

Congratulations to all of our nominees for their outstanding work!