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Press Release

August 21, 2020

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6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia Brings Philadelphia and Tri-State Superintendents Together for a Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Back-to-School Plans

‘Building It Better Together Town Hall: Back to School’ Will Air on 6abc, Sunday, Aug. 23 (9:30-10:30 a.m. EDT)

Viewers Can Live Stream Town Hall on 6abc.com, 6abc News App and 6abc Connected Television Apps

6abc, Philadelphia’s leading news source, presents a one-hour virtual town hall, “Building It Better Together Town Hall: Back to School” on Sunday, Aug. 23 (9:30-10:30 a.m. EDT), to air on 6abc and streamed live simultaneously on 6abc.com, 6abc news app and 6abc connected television apps. The town hall will be hosted by 6abc Action News anchor Tamala Edwards and reporter Jaclyn Lee.

As families and school districts across Philadelphia and the tri-state region grapple with back-to-school challenges, 6abc has kept viewers informed of school opening plans as they have developed and been released by the Philadelphia School District superintendent, as well as informing the community how the district plans to address food and internet concerns during virtual learning.

The town hall brings superintendents together, before the Sept. 2 start date, from Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware to discuss a range of challenges that include back-to-school plans, the economic impact on school district employees and vendors, address families’ concerns and provide information about aid and resources to assist underrepresented communities with the many challenges faced with distance learning. Viewers can submit questions to 6abc.com and the Action News Facebook Page.

Panelists will include the following:

  • William Hite,D., superintendent, Philadelphia Public School District
  • Nancy Hacker, Ed.D., superintendent, School District of Springfield Township (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania)
  • Jeffrey Menzer, D., superintendent,Colonial School District (Delaware)
  • Joseph Meloche D., superintendent, Cherry Hill Public Schools
  • Scott Gordon, CEO,Mastery Charter Schools

There are numerous topics to cover. Edwards and Lee will work to address concerns they are hearing from the community. They will seek answers and guidance from the panel pertaining to childcare assistance, the equity and fairness of “pandemic pods,” teachers’ union demands, school transportation concerns, safety   protocols when children return, plus details on the best way to track  symptoms among students and teachers, along with many other concerns.

“Building It Better Together Town Hall: Back to School” will air  Sunday, Aug. 23 (9:30-10:30 a.m. EDT), on 6abc/WPVI-TV. Viewers can also stream live the hour-long conversation on 6abc.com, 6abc news app and 6abc connected television apps.

About 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
For over half a century, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia has been broadcasting to viewers in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, an area covering southeastern Pennsylvania, northern and central Delaware and southern New Jersey. As the No. 1 station in Philadelphia for almost 45 years, 6abc Action News delivers local news information, traffic, and weather to more than 3-million homes. Action News captures over half of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*.  In the past year, Action News has won 2,633 out of 2,662 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.9%. #

*Based on April 2020 Nielsen survey.

#Based on May 2019 – April 2020 Nielsen data.

Twitter:https://twitter.com/6abc
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/6abcactionnews/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/6abcActionNews/

Media Contact:
Elita Fielder Adjei
(424) 247-3517
elita.adjei@disney.com

Press Release

June 16, 2020

Media relations
Mike Monsell
6abc WPVI-TV
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6ABC Action News Celebrates 50 Years! One-Hour Special Takes Viewers Down Memory Lane, Thursday, June 18 at 8 P.M. EDT

Philadelphia’s leading news source turns 50! Action News, 6abc’s local news franchise, has been the most-trusted and highest-rated newscast since the mid-1970s. This THURSDAY, JUNE 18 at 8:00 p.m., 6abc will take a look back at the past five decades and discover the DNA of this iconic Philadelphia institution.

In the late ‘60s, WPVI was a non-factor in the booming local TV news business. Needing a strong boost, WPVI debuted Action News in April 1970 as a fast-paced, more regionalized news program with an increased use of video. Instantly a hit and competitive in the ratings, 6abc Action News soon became Philadelphia’s overwhelming favorite TV news brand and most-watched newscast, leading to four straight decades of TV ratings dominance.

“This program will be a great trip down memory lane for any fan of Action News,” says John Morris, vice president of Multiplatform Programming at 6abc. “Everyone here has loved producing this special, and we think our loyal viewers will have a great time looking back with us as they watch the program.”

Bernie Prazenica, president and general manager of 6abc, added, “We are so excited to celebrate the golden anniversary of Action News with our viewers. It’s our viewers who have made Action News No. 1, and this special is a salute for their many years of support.”

The special will feature familiar faces, past and present, including Larry Kane, Dave Roberts, Lisa Thomas-Laury and more. 6abc has also published a coffee table book commemorating its 50th celebration. Released last fall, it is available for purchase on 6abc.com.

About 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia 
For over half a century, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia has been broadcasting to viewers in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, an area covering southeastern Pennsylvania, northern and central Delaware and southern New Jersey. As the No. 1 station in Philadelphia for almost 45 years, 6abc Action News delivers local news, information, traffic and weather to more than 3 million homes. Action News captures over half of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*. In the past year, Action News has won 2,633 out of 2,662 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.9%.†  

*Based on April 2020 Nielsen survey 

†Based on May 2019 – April 2020 Nielsen data 

Twitter:https://twitter.com/6abc 
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/6abcactionnews/ 
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/6abcActionNews/

Media Contact
Mike Monsell
mike.monsell@abc.com

Press Release

June 4, 2020

Media relations
Mike Monsell
6abc WPVI-TV
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6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia to Stream Virtual Town Hall on Combating Racial Injustice and Dealing With Racial Trauma

‘Race, Rage and Healing: Where Do We Go From Here?’ Virtual Town Hall to Stream Sunday, June 7 (12:30 – 1:30 p.m. EDT), at 6abc.com

In the wake of continued national civil unrest due to the George Floyd homicide at the hands of law enforcement, 6abc anchor Sharrie Williams will moderate a town hall, “Race, Rage and Healing: Where Do We Go From Here?,” with prominent community leaders from Philadelphia, SUNDAY, JUNE 7 (12:30-1:30 pm EDT), on 6abc. This hour-long conversation will also be streamed live simultaneously on 6abc.com, 6abc news app, and 6abc connected television apps.

Anchor Gray Hall will field questions from the community with topics including actionable next steps  for combating racial injustice, pushing for policy changes in law enforcement, addressing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the health and economics in communities of color as well as discussing racial trauma.

Panelists will include (but not be limited to) the following:

  • Chad Dion Lassiter – executive director, PA Human Relations Commission; and national speaker on race relations and Black Male Violence Prevention 
  • Dr. Erica Wilkins – psychologist and Drexel associate professor researching the residual effects of slavery and sociocultural factors in African Americans in the treatment of post-traumatic stress and grief counseling
  • Rev. Dr.  Alyn E. Waller – pastor of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, the largest African American Church in Pennsylvania.
  • Andrea Custis – president & CEO of the National Urban League Philadelphia 
  • George Burrell – attorney, former politician and local leader in business, civic and political affairs in Philadelphia for 30 years
  • Retired Detective Crystal Williams-Coleman – Philadelphia Police Department – president of the Guardian Civic League – social justice organization for African American police officers 
  • Lauren Footman – director of Outreach and Equity for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

Viewers can submit questions to 6abc.com and the Action News Facebook Page.

About 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
For over half a century, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia has been broadcasting to viewers in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, an area covering southeastern Pennsylvania, northern and central Delaware and southern New Jersey. As the No. 1 station in Philadelphia for almost 45 years, 6abc Action News delivers local news, information, traffic and weather to more than 3 million homes. Action News captures over half of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*. In the past year, Action News has won 2,633 out of 2,662 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.9%.†

*Based on April 2020 Nielsen survey

†Based on May 2019 – April 2020 Nielsen data

Twitter:https://twitter.com/6abc
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/6abcactionnews/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/6abcActionNews/

Contact:
Mike Monsell
mike.monsell@abc.com