It is the intent of KCPT to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all aspects, terms, conditions, and privileges of employment to all employees or applicants, without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, religion, pregnancy status, Vietnam-era veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.
Moreover, KCPT provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with known disabilities or handicaps to enable such individuals to : (1) apply for employment with KCPT; (2) to perform the essential functions of their jobs; and (3) to enjoy the other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Requests for accommodation should be made to Human Resources.
If your organization would like to be notified of future job vacancies at KCPT, please contact our human resources office at:
KCPT
125 East 31st Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-756-3580 x4298
humanresources@kcpt.org
The tallies are in for the 2012 KCPT PBS Kids GO! Writers Contest! This year there were a total of 45 stories entered.
The contest, presented locally by KCPT with national funding support from Studentpublishing.com, encourages children in grades K-3 in the Kansas City region and in communities across the country to celebrate the power of language and creativity by creating and submitting original stories and illustrations. KCPT was one of sixty-three public television stations across the country that participated in this year’s contest.
All first place winners from KCPT’s contest will be entered into the national PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, where they will compete against area winners from across the county.
Second Place Winners
Kindergarten – The Butterfly at the Farm by EmmaLyn Burnett
1st Grade – The 3 Pigs Return by Maureen Tuohey
2nd Grade – The Pet Shop by Jillian Staver
3rd Grade – Farmer Boys by Daniel Sliker
Third Place Winners
Kindergarten – The Owl by Autumn Ferrante
1st Grade – If I Was by Gracelynn Xia
2nd Grade – The Soap Story of Natalie Soap by Natalie Thompson
3rd Grade – The Storm by Tanner McDaniel
Honorable Mention
Kindergartern – Pluto Got Sad by Aubrey Pritchett
1st Grade – Boomer and the Cave Mystery – Elizabeth Place
2nd Grade – The Alien by Akerth Jain
3rd Grade – The Mean Mirror by Makayla McClenahan
The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is produced annually by PBS KIDS and managed and created by WNED-TV Buffalo/Toronto, and is a part of PBS KIDS Raising Readers, a national initiative that uses the power of public media to build the reading skills of children ages two to eight. More information on PBS KIDS Raising Readers and the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest can be found at pbskids.org/read.
THIS WEEK: Friday, May 11th 2012 @ 7:30 pm (Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
KC CORPORATE ICON TO BE SOLD TO CHINA?: After spending millions to lure AMC from downtown to Kansas is AMC about to be sold to China? A front page story in the Kansas City Star this week reveals that the nation’s second largest theater chain which has been headquartered in Kansas City since 1920 could soon be purchased by a Chinese conglomerate. What does all this mean for Kansas City? UPDATE TRANSIT: We won’t know until summer what a Jackson County commuter rail plan might look like. And no one has proposed a ballot issue to fund a rail system, much less set a date for an election. Yet according to a front page story in the Star this week, Jackson County government officials are spending half a million dollars on TV ads and an awareness campaign to promote rail transit in the county. How does this square with KC’s plan for a streetcar line? Is there room for both? Are either of them feasible?
UMKC NAME CHANGE: UMKC is considering changing its name to the University of Kansas City. Officials say the name change would help it emerge from the sizable shadow of the Missouri campus in Columbia. The school has used its current name since it joined the four-campus University of Missouri system nearly 50 years ago.
ROMNEY IN KC: Mitt Romney was in town Thursday. The presumptive Republican nominee for President did not appear though in public – his visit was totally private. No public rallies and big speeches – why?
SHOT SPOTTER TECHNOLOGY COMES TO KC: It’s a high-tech anti-crime system that uses sensors to spot gunshots and let’s police know almost exactly where those bullets were fired. Kansas City officials have been talking about the system for years, but they’ve finally got the money to install the equipment. So how is this supposed to work and will it really reduce violent crime in Kansas City?
TOUGH PR CALL FOR GOLDEN OX: As Bottomline Communications reports this week, sometimes public relations decisions can be complicated. You make the call on this one. You are the PR person for the Golden Ox, one of Kansas City’s landmark restaurants and a downtown fixture since 1949. Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, says it wants to come in and substitute your world-famous steaks for theirs and film customers’ reactions. On the one hand, your restaurant will be featured in ads across the country. It will certainly increase your restaurant’s exposure. On the other hand, you know that only those customers who rave about the Walmart steaks will be included in the commercials. What would you do? WATCH THE AD
LONG LINES AT DMV: Why should it take 8 hours to wait in line this week to renew your license plates or register your vehicles in Johnson County?
KCPT’s Nick Haines will be moderating the WHITE HOUSE Urban Economic Summit in Kansas City Tuesday. May 8, 2012 @ 9am at the Kauffman Foundation.
Under the auspices of the White House Business Council, the White House has launched a multi-city series of Urban Economic Forums in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The all-day summit features national and regional leaders including Kansas City Mayors Sly James and Joe Reardon.
THIS WEEK: Friday, May 4th 2012 @ 7:30 pm (Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
MAYOR JAMES @ 1 YEAR: Kansas City Mayor Sly James marks his first full year in office this week as the top elected leader in Kansas City, MO. We issue a report card.
DON’T SAY GAY: A Missouri Republican lawmaker makes it public that he is gay this week after getting angry with his party over a bill in Jefferson City that would restrict all discussion of sexual orientation in public schools. It has been dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill. According to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Republican Zach Wyatt, who raises cattle in northern Missouri, is now the only openly gay Republican currently serving in a state legislature in the United States.
BROWNBACK POLL NUMBERS: A new Survey USA poll in Kansas gives Governor Sam Brownback lower approval ratings than President Barack Obama. How can that be when the state is overwhelmingly Republican?
YODER CALLS FOR PAY CUT: Kansas 3rd District Republican Congressman Kevin Yoder thinks Congress ought to cut its pay by five percent. Not only that, he wants lawmakers to eliminate their automatic cost-of-living increases as well.
LEGOLAND OPENS BUT NEW POLICY CAUSES STIR: The Legoland Discovery Center officially opens its doors this past weekend at Crown Center. But one of its policies is raising eyebrows. The attraction is not admitting adults unless they are accompanied by a child.
RAISING LOWEST IN NATION TOBACCO TAX: Anti-smoking advocates are expected to turn in petition signatures this weekend for a November ballot initiative asking voters to raise Missouri’s tax on a pack of cigarettes to 90 cents from the current 17 cents. That’s the lowest in the nation. It’s failed twice on the statewide ballot previously. Why do backers believe the 2012 election would be different?
PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger talked about public television’s history, mission and its future yesterday at Union Station as part of The Kansas City Chamber’s Insight Kansas City speaker series.
Kerger, who has been at the helm of PBS since 2006, told the Chamber that they actually have a lot in common with PBS in their shared missions for opportunity, serving communities and the exchange of ideas.
“Although the means of connecting with our audience has changed over the years, we remain focused on using media to fulfill our public service mission to help everyone, of every age, from every walk of life reach their full potential,” said Kerger. “Across every platform we’re providing new resources for children to learn and give all American access to the dramas, documentaries, history, news and public affairs and arts programming that expand horizons and open up new vistas.”
PBS President and CEO presented at Union Station on May 2, 2012 as part of the KC Chamber's Insight Kansas City speaker series.
Kerger applauded public television stations across the country for continuing to serve this original, educational mission and talked more specifically about KCPT’s focus on local coverage.
“Right here in Kansas City, KCPT has evolved over the years, growing their reach and impact to serve more Kansas Citians,” said Kerger. “KCPT is positioning itself as a trusted and constructive center stage for the region.”
The future of public television Kerger said will be dependent on innovation in three main areas: connection, content and community engagement.
Beyond the traditional broadcast, PBS and member stations have more opportunity to connect with viewers than ever before through social media, the web and mobile content.
And as Kerger points out, PBS is excelling in these pursuits. This year PBS received nine Webby Award nominations, including nominations for pbs.org, pbskids.org and the PBS iPad App. In addition, PBS has created six web-only series.
“We’ve done a lot of analysis of looking at who is actually watching us online and over 60% of the people watching videos at pbs.org are between the ages of 18 and 49,” said Kerger. “Now in Public Broadcasting we’ve talked for years about how we can create content that connects with a younger audience. I’ve always believed, and I’ve been in this business now for a while, that our content is compelling, it’s just that we don’t always fit people’s busy lives.”
In addition to making existing PBS content accessible at any time and on multiple platforms, Kerger sees opportunities to use new media to test out new shows and formats that aren’t suitable for broadcast, but further PBS’ mission to educate.
Although changing technology has presented a slew of challenges for broadcasters, Kerger sees many exciting opportunities for public broadcasting to provide all Americans with “content of consequence” among hundreds of other channels, whose programming consists on average of about 50% reality television shows.
“In the US, channels that were supposed to replace PBS by offering history drama and arts programming have increasingly turned to reality television,” said Kerger. “We’ve made deep investments in a couple of areas: arts, history, science and news.”
“[Homecoming] is a spectacular piece not only because it focuses on great art, but it is also a spectacular piece because it shows what a community can do when it dreams big,” said Kerger. “And that is the inspirational message that I am so proud that you’re going to bring from Kansas City to every home across this country.”
In addition to touting PBS’ commitment to the arts, Kerger said that PBS’ highest calling is its kids programming.
“No other media company creates this kind of quality kids programming that treats kids as kids and not as mini-consumers,” said Kerger. “We have received more Emmys for children’s programming than all other cable and television networks combined.”
Outlining PBS’ community engagement strategies, Kerger focused heavily its resources for teachers. In 2011, PBS and its member stations launched PBS LearningMedia, which helps teachers and homeschoolers bring technology into the classroom with thousands of free videos and interactive resources available online. In addition PBS is partnering with NASA, the National Archives and the Library of Congress to incorporate their educational resources and make them easily available to teachers.
Kerger concluded her presentation saying that not only does she believe public television will continue to serve its original mission well into the future, but it will also expand its services.
“Our work cannot be replaced or replicated by commercial outlet because we exist to serve the people and not to sell to them. Our bottom line is the number of lives we touch,” said Kerger. “Of all the stations out there we are the only ones charged with this honorable mission and we are the only ones who can put the people’s airwaves to the service of the people.”
An interview with Paula Kerger and KCPT’s President and CEO Kliff Kuehl will air on The Local Show on May 10 at 7:30pm.
KCPT President and CEO Kliff Kuehl has been recognized in KC Magazine as part of the first annual KC Magazine 100. “The 100” features Kansas Citians who according to KC Magazine Executive Editor Katie Van Luchene, “put Kansas City on the map and make our city a great place in which to live and work.”
“We’re in good company,” says Kuehl, “It’s a real honor to be a part of a list of Kansas Citians that includes so many of the people and organizations that KCPT partners with on a daily basis for community projects and stories on our weekly local productions.
“Just look at the cover,” continues Kuehl, “names like Jane Chu, George Guastello, Julian Zugazagoitia, Crosby Kemper, these are people who are doing great things for our city and we’re proud to be working with them on projects like Meet the Past, Raise the Roof, Putting Down Roots and the new national PBS Arts special Homecoming, featuring the Kauffman Center and the Kansas City Symphony.
“This recognition is a real testament to the incredible work that the KCPT team does each day to make sure that we are truly using the power of public media to tell the stories and highlight the issues that Kansas Citians want to know.”
“The 100” is featured in KC Magazine’s April issue on newsstands now and also available online at kcmag.com.
MediaShiftrecently published an article covering the cord-cutting trend and basics on how viewers are watching television using over the air broadcast and the internet.
If you already get your television signal off air, you know that KCPT offers three great channels: KCPT HD (19.1), KCPT2 (Standard Definition regional programming and best of PBS signature series, as well as eclectic independent programming) and KCPT Create® (Standard Definition 24 hour cooking, gardening, travel and arts channel). But did you also know that KCPT’s local programs like Kansas City Week in Review and Check, PLease! Kansas City and PBS full length programs are available to watch online any time?
Congratulations to Sean Holmes and Nick Haines who were honored by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for assisting in the creation of the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Intercept Project Report on the 2nd Chance and Reentry program.
The segment will air during The Local Showon April 12, 2012 at 7:30pm. You will also be able to watch online.
News Release – Johnson County (Kan.) Sheriff’s Office
Date – March 26, 2012
For more information contact Master Deputy Tom Erickson at 913-791-5802
Sheriff Welcomes 12 New Deputies, Promotes One and Recognizes Kansas City Public Television
Olathe, Kan. – Sheriff Frank Denning will be welcoming to the Sheriff’s Office 12 new deputies during a Badge Pinning Ceremony March 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony will be held at the Johnson County Administration Building room 200 which is located at 111 South Cherry Street in Olathe.
Deputies Ethan Aust, Rashad Casteneda, Matthew Grant Curry, Alan Heide, Philip Kirgan, Emily Morrow, Jared Ruby, Lisa Scott, Joshua Sitler, Adam Thompson, Dustin Wileman and Lacy Wiley will all receive their badges and be acknowledged into the Sheriff’s Office during this ceremony.
Sheriff Frank Denning will be recognizing Nick Haines and Sean Holmes with Kansas City Public Television (KCPT) for their assistance in the creation of the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Intercept Project Report on the 2nd Chance and Reentry program. According to Sheriff Frank Denning, “KCPT, Nick Haines and Sean Holmes are true partners and an invaluable asset to our community.”
Also during the ceremony, Shawn Fletcher will be formally promoted to the rank of Captain and a remembrance for Master Deputy Mark Copeland will be held. Master Deputy Copeland was a member of the Sheriff’s Office since 1995 and passed away at 42 years old after a courageous battle with cancer on February 9, 2012.
Master Deputy Tom Erickson
Public Information Officer
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
913-791-5802
The White House announced today that a Kansas City area woman, Alice Kitchen, will be honored as one of ten ‘Champions of Change’, for her work on health care. Alice is currently the President of KCPT’s Community Advisory Board.
We are excited to announce that PBS has chosen Kansas City’s own Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Conductor Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony, and Joyce DiDonato for their Summer Arts Series. This nationally distributed arts series will profile our award-winning symphony and DiDonato’s return to her hometown for a thrilling Kauffman Center debut. Our team has been working behind the scenes with PBS, national producers and the Kansas City Symphony since the summer to help make this happen. KCPT hosted a special dinner and tour of the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with PBS CEO Paula Kerger in October. I think that seeing the stunning, state of the art Kauffman Center in person helped in PBS’s decision to bring the Summer Arts series to Kansas City.
I think viewers will be amazed at what Kansas City has to offer. The fact that, in this economy, our city has such a thriving arts scene is a real testament to the community and the creative and entrepreneurial spirit here. This project brings a well-deserved national spotlight to Kansas City, the Symphony, and the new Kauffman Center. It is a privilege to help tell our community’s arts stories and keep Kansas City “top of mind” as an arts destination and as a city on the move.
KCPT has another national program on the horizon – a horizon with a not so typical tree, “Ferment.” Executive Producer, Randy Mason is working on a national documentary following the story of Roxy Paine and his craft. As noted by Randy, “It’s been almost a year since “Ferment” arrived to take root on the Nelson’s front lawn. Thanks to the Hall Family Foundation and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, our documentary about the sculptor, Roxy Paine, and the process of installing his 56 foot “dendroid” is almost complete.” You may remember watching a segment about the artist on The Local Show in June. If you missed it, you can watch it online at http://cove.kcpt.org (episode 6/16/11).
You may have noticed a little special attention being given to local arts organizations. KCPT has teamed up with Townsend Communications to feature six arts organizations on both The Local Show and KC Studio magazine. Featured organizations are: The Coterie Theatre, Kansas City Chorale, Quality Hill Playhouse, Kansas City Actors Theatre, Paul Messner’s Puppet Company, and The Charlotte Street Foundation. The Coterie Theatre, the first of our features, has reported great success with the coverage given to them. They were happy to report that, due to this special attention, they were able to break all box office records with their performance of Seussical. This mixed-media campaign was made possible with the support of the Richard J. Stern Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee and the John W. and Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust, Bank of America, Trustee.
In addition, we are working with major stations across the country to help build a regular national arts program that will curate content from stations across the USA, including our arts content. KCPT is committed to ongoing local arts coverage. We are grateful for the tremendous financial support to continue telling the stories of the people and organizations who make Kansas City a great arts and culture community. As you can see, we’re not just sharing these stories to fellow Kansas Citians, we’re sharing them with the world!
