By KTWU LAUNCHES SHOW TO CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY‘I’VE GOT ISSUES”
For viewers who want to feel more connected to their community, KTWU presents “I’VE GOT ISSUES”.
“I’VE GOT ISSUES” is a new series for television. The pilot program for the series premieres on Thursday, July 23rd, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. on KTWU-TV, Channel 11.1 in High Definition.
The program is intended to be a wide-ranging community affairs show that explores a variety of topics. The “community” of which we speak encompasses that portion of eastern Kansas and western Missouri that KTWU serves by way of broadcasting and cable outlets.
Some features coming up this week in the premiere episode include retirement planning with Randy Clayton of Clayton Financial Services who tells us whether fluctuations in the stock market mean we need to make changes in our personal retirement strategy.
Recent issues on carbon dioxide and public health, in particular as related to the coal plant issues in western Kansas, are examined with Rod Bremby, Director of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Find the top 10 disease fighting foods with Celeste Ehrenberg, ACSM HFS, Well Coach.
Learn the rewards of supporting rural communities with Marci Penner and WenDee LaPlant of the Kansas Sampler Foundation and discover “Flyover People”, featuring the writings of Cheryl Unruh.
For viewers, an interactive website has been created, accessible at ktwu.org by clicking on the I’VE GOT ISSUES link. With the addition of this internet component, KTWU extends the community concept to include all those across the state and around the globe who wish to connect and participate. Viewers are encouraged to collaborate with the station as it continues in community-building efforts.
Eugene Williams, Co-Host of KTWU’s I’VE GOT ISSUES
Eugene Williams is the CEO and General Manager of KTWU TV (PBS) in Topeka, Kansas.
Prior to coming to KTWU TV in August 1998, Eugene was the Station Manager for WYCC-TV/Channel 20 in Chicago, Illinois. Eugene has an extensive broadcast and film background, which includes work with CBS, CNN, CONUS, NBC, The National Science Foundation and a host of local stations, state associations and independent production companies. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Eugene has a Broadcast & Film Communications degree from the University of Alabama, three certificates in electronics from Southwest State Technical College and an MBA from the University of Mobile.
Eugene is a member of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Board of Directors. He also serves on the Small Station Fund Committee and the Digital Distribution Fund Committee for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Eugene is a graduate of NAB’s prestigious year-long Broadcast Leadership Training Program and is also a graduate of the National Association of Broadcasters Management Development Seminar for Television Executives.
Closer to home, Eugene takes a leadership role in the Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB). He also serves as chairman of the KPBC Digital Television Committee. Locally, he is a member of the Downtown Topeka Rotary Club and is a previous board member of the Downtown Topeka Rotary Foundation.
Valerie VanDerSluis, Co-Host of the local KTWU program, I’VE GOT ISSUES
Valerie’s broadcast experience has included positions with affiliates of both the ABC and CBS television networks. Currently, she serves as Director of Programming for our own local public television station, KTWU.
Valerie’s tenure at KTWU has been filled with many accomplishments, most recently launching and developing the digital channels now provided by KTWU including MHz Worldview, the local channel “Enhance” and the traditional channel 11 which airs programs from the PBS television network.
Through Valerie’s efforts, KTWU has increased its visibility on a nationwide basis through the distribution of a number of programs. Independent productions such as “Through Martha’s Eyes”, “Dakota’s Pride”, “Forgiving Dr. Mengele” along with KTWU local productions “Beyond Theology” and “What Would Jesus Do” have placed the KTWU name nationwide on programming seen by over one million viewers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas, Valerie VanDerSluis is an alum of Leadership Greater Topeka 2008 and the PBS Leadership Development Program 2009. She is dedicated to utilizing her broadcast and leadership skills to create and find content that can make a difference within her community and the entire KTWU viewing area.
About KTWU-TV
KTWU has been broadcasting local public television in eastern Kansas and portions of Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma since 1965. Viewers are served with Channel 11 offering three distinct broadcast options. KTWU is also broadcast on K30AL-LD translator channel in southeast Kansas. The station license is held by Washburn University with studios located on the Washburn campus in Topeka, Kansas. More information and programming details can be found at the station website at ktwu.org.
KTWU-TV (PBS) Provides programs and services that enrich the lives of those we reach. 1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, KS 66621, 785-670-1111, website: ktwu.org