New radio, TV shows that bring local attention to national issues coming to WPSU

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new radio program focusing on healthy living and an interactive show that brings local attention to a national issue are among the newest shows this month from WPSU, as the station also seeks to enhance its digital offerings.

“Health Minute” — a collaboration between WPSU and the Penn State College of Nursing — airs at 7:31 a.m. and 4:32 p.m. on Tuesdays on WPSU-FM. The weekly, one minute-radio and digital program features information and strategies for living a healthy life, and it draws on the knowledge of local educators and health professionals.

On WPSU-TV, “Conversations LIVE” will air at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, to discuss the adverse health effects of vaping and its possible connection to the opioid crisis. Experts will take viewers’ phone calls, emails and questions via social media. Viewers can call 1-800-543-8242 during the show, email connect@wpsu.org or tweet @WPSU using #WPSUConversations to ask a question. Viewers can also vote for February’s show topic at the “Conversations LIVE” website as part of the first “Viewers’ Choice” episode.

WPSU Penn State produces original, local content for WPSU-TV, WPSU-FM and online through its WPSU Digital Studios. Cheraine Stanford, director of content strategy, said the station wants to strengthen community through vibrant public media.

“WPSU has always been committed to creating high-quality, educational content,” she said. “We want to highlight the issues that are important to central Pennsylvanians and their communities and tell the unique stories of this region.”

WPSU already produces original web series and shorts through WPSU Digital Studios, which explore science, arts, culture and more. Past stories have included a look at the Howard Fire Company’s annual “Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival” in Bald Eagle Valley, stories of letters from a local World War I veteran and a look at fall foliage in central Pennsylvania.

Stanford said the new initiative allows WPSU to expand local content offerings and experiment with emerging social media platforms.

“We know that people are watching and listening to stories beyond television and radio, and we want to be sure that we’re sharing our content with people wherever they access media,” Stanford said.

WPSU-TV serves 24 counties in central Pennsylvania and reaches 515,000 households, and WPSU-FM is accessible to more than 450,000 listeners in 13 counties. WPSU Digital offerings are available on the WPSU Digital website and through the station’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Visit the WPSU website for all of the station’s productions. WPSU is an outreach service of Penn State.