Summer 2026
Welcome to summer! We had a very busy spring, and I’d like to thank everyone who came out to our many events, enjoyed our programs, volunteered with us, and supported us financially. I’m always amazed at the generosity of our members!
As we end this fiscal year, we’ve just completed budget season and reviewed our budget in light of the loss of federal funding. Thank you to everyone who increased monthly giving or made extra donations during this time. My commitment has been to avoid cutting key programs or staff, so we’ve tightened spending elsewhere.
Unfortunately, this summer's issue of Dimensions magazine will be the last. We made the difficult choice to stop publication so those funds can directly support the programs, news, events, and services you rely on. We will still communicate through our website, social media, member mailings, and email. If you haven’t signed up for our email newsletters, visit pages.whro.org/newsletter to choose your favorites.
As we adjust to these changes, we are not slowing down at all for the summer. We are headed into the second year of our partnership with Virginia Humanities, and we’re excited to welcome a new group of grant winners who focus on humanities-centered storytelling across the region. You’ll be seeing more about that in the coming months.
We also have a robust events calendar this summer, packed with exciting screenings, concerts, storytelling events, and programs related to America’s 250th anniversary. All of these programs and events remain available thanks to your continued support, and I hope you will join us. Check out whro.org/events to avoid missing out.
I’m excited to share that WHRO has already won many awards in local news, community events, and education this year. WHRO earned 12 awards from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters, was named a Top Employer for Interns by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, won an Excellence in Journalism award from the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, and has been nominated for three Salute to Excellence Awards from the National Association of Black Journalists—just to name a few. See more at whro.org/awards
Thank you again for the many ways you support us. You are what makes our work possible.
Have a great summer!
Bert Schmidt
President & Chief Executive Officer
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As we adjust to the financial changes brought about by the loss of federal funding, we are not slowing down at all for the summer.
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Welcome to 2026! Though last year had its challenges, with the cut in federal funding for public media, we still had a great year in so many ways.
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I’m excited to share some highlights of things coming up as we finish out the rest of the year.
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The recent executive order targets national entities, but its ramifications extend to local stations like ours, putting more than just programming at risk. It jeopardizes access to essential educational tools that families across he Tidewater region rely on every day.