Yuengling in Pottsville pledges $100,000 to hospitality workers and first responders fighting COVID-19
From a press release: This week, D.G. Yuengling & Son in Pottsville announced a commitment of $100,000 to provide Americans relief during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Through initial donations, Yuengling will support the Gary Sinise Foundation and its Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service campaign to assist individuals on the front lines of fighting the coronavirus. […]
Scranton comedian Samantha Ruddy releases debut comedy album while working on ‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’
For seven years, Samantha Ruddy’s career in stand-up comedy has built up to this moment. After her big break on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and landing a job on “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” she released her debut comedy album one month ago… the same day a national emergency was declared in the […]
Online screening of ‘Vinyl Nation’ documentary benefits indie record stores like Gallery of Sound in Wilkes-Barre and Dickson City
“Vinyl Nation,” a documentary about the resurgence of vinyl records, the diversification of vinyl fans, and what this means for America today, was scheduled to premiere in theaters and with some special record store screenings on the weekend of Record Store Day, but that all changed because of the coronavirus pandemic. To help record stores […]
Lackawanna County offers resource guide for creative community struggling during coronavirus pandemic
From a press release: The arts and culture sector is especially vulnerable to issues posed by the current COVID-19 crisis by the nature of the work they do. Many artists are self-employed, and small businesses and nonprofits rely on a customer base. Additionally, arts and culture organizations provide programs for the public who are now […]
Sylvester Stallone endorses documentary on Scranton Rocky impersonator now trending on Amazon Prime
“The Pretender,” a documentary that follows the quirky story of a daydreamer from Scranton who became a Rocky Balboa impersonator and tour guide in Philadelphia, has been available to stream on Amazon Prime since last October, but a recent endorsement from Sylvester Stallone himself has caused the movie to trend and find a wider audience […]
Alcohol sales spike as America drinks through coronavirus crisis, adding more health issues
In the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, it has become easier to buy alcohol than toilet paper or eggs. Across the U.S., governors are terming alcohol sales an essential business and loosening restrictions to permit home delivery and carryout cocktails, throwing an economic lifeline to one group of small businesses. Are alcohol sales actually essential? […]
WVIA launches ‘Look for the Helpers,’ seeks stories of caring people during coronavirus pandemic
From a press release: Mister Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Inspired by the legendary television personality Fred Rogers, VIA Public Media has announced the launch […]
After 50 years, The Aquarian Weekly suspends print publication due to coronavirus pandemic
From a press release: For the first time in its existence, The Aquarian – the tri-state area’s 50-year-old alt-weekly newspaper based in Little Falls, New Jersey – has temporarily suspended its print edition, moving to an exclusively online format as it finds itself in uncharted waters, swimming against the tide of the coronavirus pandemic. The […]
Centralia’s Graffiti Highway is closed and covered with dirt to drive away visitors during coronavirus pandemic
In the past month, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued a stay-at-home order and closed non-essential businesses due to the coronavirus, so many people are looking for ways to spend their time. Centralia fire chief and EMA director Tom Hynoski told The Daily Item that large groups have been visiting the Graffiti Highway, a stretch of […]
WVIA partners with Pennsylvania Department of Education for Learning at Home programming
From a press release: With Pennsylvania’s schools closed indefinitely, many families will struggle to find a path for continuing their child’s education. WVIA and Pennsylvania Public Television have announced a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to expand its recently launched Learn at Home initiative to provide instructional programming through the seven PBS member […]
