http://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center Ball State University Ball State PBS News RSS en-us Tue, 07 Apr 2026 02:14:06 -0400 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2026/03/leo-furlong-wins-third-straight-ball-state-pbs-regional-spelling-bee https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2026/03/leo-furlong-wins-third-straight-ball-state-pbs-regional-spelling-bee For a third straight year, Leo Furlong, a seventh grader at Burris Laboratory Middle School, is the champion of the Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:59:32 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2025/07/ball-state-public-media-honored-with-national-awards-for-local-journalism-and-programming https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2025/07/ball-state-public-media-honored-with-national-awards-for-local-journalism-and-programming Ball State Public Media has earned three national awards from the Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) in recognition of its work in local journalism and community programming. Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:27:42 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2025/03/leo-furlong-claims-second-straight-regional-spelling-bee-sponsored-by-ball-state-pbs https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2025/03/leo-furlong-claims-second-straight-regional-spelling-bee-sponsored-by-ball-state-pbs For a second straight year, Leo Furlong is the champion of the Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:50:17 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2024/11/big-changes-for-indiana-public-radio https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2024/11/big-changes-for-indiana-public-radio On Oct. 28, IPR officially expanded its news and music coverage, debuting its new station—89.5 The Note—and answering the call from its listeners for more of what they know and love. Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:47:49 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2024/09/ball-state-public-media-receives-grant-from-indiana-arts-commission https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2024/09/ball-state-public-media-receives-grant-from-indiana-arts-commission Ball State Public Media (Ball State PBS and Indiana Public Radio) has been awarded a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) for arts and culture programming through the Arts Project Support grant program. Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:02:31 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2024/06/be-my-neighbor-day-returns-june-22-to-downtown-muncie https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2024/06/be-my-neighbor-day-returns-june-22-to-downtown-muncie Ball State PBS will once again host “Be My Neighbor Day,” which will be held from 1-4 p.m. ET Saturday, June 22, at Canan Commons in Downtown Muncie. Mon, 17 Jun 2024 13:06:14 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2024/03/muncie-burris-fifth-grader-leo-furlong-wins-ball-state-pbs-regional-spelling-bee https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2024/03/muncie-burris-fifth-grader-leo-furlong-wins-ball-state-pbs-regional-spelling-bee Leo Furlong, a fifth grader at Burris Laboratory School in Muncie, is the champion of the 2024 Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee. Mr. Furlong’s winning word was “jalapeño.” The spicy competition, involving nearly 40 spellers from several local school systems, lasted 12 rounds. Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:48:06 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/11/ball-state-university-student-media-earns-several-prestigious-awards-in-journalism https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/11/ball-state-university-student-media-earns-several-prestigious-awards-in-journalism Ball State University’s student media organizations recently were recognized with several prestigious national journalism awards, as announced at the Fall National College Media Convention in Atlanta. Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:15:53 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/11/collaboration-between-ball-state-western-kentucky-student-public-media-results-in-pacemaker-award https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/11/collaboration-between-ball-state-western-kentucky-student-public-media-results-in-pacemaker-award In a groundbreaking project for collegiate journalism, Ball Bearings Magazine, the Ball State Daily News, and the Western Kentucky College Heights Herald, in collaboration with Ball State PBS and Western Kentucky PBS, were named joint winners of the Associated Collegiate Press’ Innovation Pacemaker Award for the cross-platform multimedia project, “Fleeing to Flyover Country.” Wed, 08 Nov 2023 16:12:03 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/10/ball-state-pbs-to-air-new-documentary-exploring-economic-impact-of-welcoming-refugees https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/10/ball-state-pbs-to-air-new-documentary-exploring-economic-impact-of-welcoming-refugees A new documentary, “Fleeing to Flyover Country,” produced in collaboration with Ball State PBS, Western Kentucky PBS, The Ball State Daily News, The Western Kentucky Herald, and Ball State’s Department of Media, premieres at 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 12. It will air on Ball State PBS. Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:28:31 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/09/the-ball-state-daily-news-and-ball-state-public-media-unveil-innovative-news-sharing-venture https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/09/the-ball-state-daily-news-and-ball-state-public-media-unveil-innovative-news-sharing-venture The Ball State Daily News newspaper and Indiana Public Radio (IPR), the NPR® Member station of Ball State Public Media, today are launching an innovative news-sharing venture that will strengthen the way news is delivered and consumed in the region. Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:10:24 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/09/ball-state-pbs-to-host-second-annual-happy-little-fest https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/09/ball-state-pbs-to-host-second-annual-happy-little-fest The second annual Happy Little Fest is set for 1–4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1, at University Green, located between Bracken Library and the Architecture Building, 1120 N. McKinley Ave., on the campus of Ball State University. Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:14:00 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/09/ball-state-pbs-wins-national-public-media-award-for-its-inaugural-happy-little-fest https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/09/ball-state-pbs-wins-national-public-media-award-for-its-inaugural-happy-little-fest “Happy Little Fest”/Ball State PBS was named the winner of the “Special Events” award within the Marketing and Communications category at this year’s National Educational Telecommunications Association’s (NETA) 55th Public Media Awards. Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:46:55 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/08/happy-little-fest-a-finalist-for-neta-public-media-awards https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/08/happy-little-fest-a-finalist-for-neta-public-media-awards “Happy Little Fest,” a celebration of the 80th birthday of iconic painter and instructor Bob Ross hosted by Ball State PBS and Bob Ross, Inc., has been named a finalist for the National Educational Telecommunications Association’s (NETA) 55th annual Public Media Awards. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 21:11:40 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/08/new-ball-state-pbs-documentary-features-anderson https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/08/new-ball-state-pbs-documentary-features-anderson “Now Entering…Anderson” premieres live at 8 p.m. on Ball State PBS. It can also be seen online at ballstatepbs.org, and on the PBS App or Ball State Public Media App. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 19:47:43 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/07/phil-hoffman-elected-to-board-of-governors-of-national-academy-of-television-arts-and-sciences https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/07/phil-hoffman-elected-to-board-of-governors-of-national-academy-of-television-arts-and-sciences Dr. Phil Hoffman, assistant dean of Media and general manager of Ball State Public Media, has been elected to the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), Central Great Lakes Chapter. Governors are voted in by their peers in each chapter of NATAS. Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:57:04 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/07/ball-state-public-media-receives-grant-awards-from-arts-commission-and-public-broadcasting-stations https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/07/ball-state-public-media-receives-grant-awards-from-arts-commission-and-public-broadcasting-stations Ball State Public Media (Ball State PBS and Indiana Public Radio), has been awarded grants from The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS) to support its new arts and culture content initiative. Mon, 10 Jul 2023 16:52:02 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/06/be-my-neighbor-day-returns-june-10-to-downtown-muncie https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/06/be-my-neighbor-day-returns-june-10-to-downtown-muncie Join Daniel Tiger for an afternoon of fun 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Canan Commons. The free event will also include more than 20 booths offering activities for all ages, such as sunflower planting, rock painting, and puppet making. Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:31:00 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/03/craig-ulrey-of-heritage-hall-christian-school-wins-ball-state-pbs-regional-spelling-bee https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2023/03/craig-ulrey-of-heritage-hall-christian-school-wins-ball-state-pbs-regional-spelling-bee Craig Ulrey, a seventh grader from Heritage Hall Christian School in Muncie, is the champion of the 2023 Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee. Fri, 17 Mar 2023 20:36:36 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/11/vision-maker-media-elects-phil-hoffman-to-board https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/11/vision-maker-media-elects-phil-hoffman-to-board Dr. Phil Hoffman, assistant dean of Media and general manager for Ball State Public Media at Ball State University, has been elected to serve a three-year term on the board of Vision Maker Media. The nonprofit organization is a premier source for quality American Indian and Alaska Native educational videos. Wed, 09 Nov 2022 18:17:38 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/10/ball-state-pbs-hosting-happy-little-fest-in-honor-of-iconic-painter-bob-ross https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/10/ball-state-pbs-hosting-happy-little-fest-in-honor-of-iconic-painter-bob-ross Ball State PBS—which brought Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting to the world for many years—will be celebrating the 80th birthday of the beloved painter and instructor—and the station is also celebrating its 50th year on the air—with the "Happy Little Fest" on Oct. 29. Thu, 13 Oct 2022 12:56:44 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/05/ready-to-learn-podcast-accelerator https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/05/ready-to-learn-podcast-accelerator Ball State PBS is one of five public broadcast media stations across the United States chosen to participate in the Ready to Learn Podcast Accelerator—a podcast training program on the development of new educational on-demand audio programming for children and their caregivers. Wed, 11 May 2022 14:33:04 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/02/ball-state-pbs-looking-for-cicero-stories-for-new-television-project https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/02/ball-state-pbs-looking-for-cicero-stories-for-new-television-project Ball State PBS is looking for stories about Cicero, Indiana. Ball State PBS, the Muncie PBS station located on the Ball State University campus, will feature Cicero in its ongoing series celebrating small towns in its viewing area. Thu, 17 Feb 2022 21:08:47 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2021/10/ball-state-pbs-looking-for-eaton-stories https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2021/10/ball-state-pbs-looking-for-eaton-stories Ball State PBS (formerly WIPB-TV) is looking for stories about Eaton, Indiana. Ball State PBS, the PBS station located on the Ball State University campus, will feature Eaton in its ongoing series celebrating small towns in its viewing area. Mon, 11 Oct 2021 19:57:01 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2021/10/ball-state-pbs-selected-to-receive-ready-to-learn-grant https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2021/10/ball-state-pbs-selected-to-receive-ready-to-learn-grant Ball State PBS has been awarded a $260,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS to extend the reach and impact of PBS KIDS early learning resources to local communities. Thu, 07 Oct 2021 13:37:21 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2021/04/ball-state-student-blake-chapman-receives-2021-al-rent-honorary-ball-state-pbs https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2021/04/ball-state-student-blake-chapman-receives-2021-al-rent-honorary-ball-state-pbs Ball State University student Blake Chapman is the 2021 recipient of the Al Rent Honorary Ball State PBS/IPR Public Media Student Award. Thu, 22 Apr 2021 13:35:36 +0000 https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2021/04/production-day-for-ball-state-pbs-now-entering https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2021/04/production-day-for-ball-state-pbs-now-entering Personnel from Ball State PBS will be in New Castle, Ind., on April 24 to conduct on-camera interviews for its upcoming program, “Now Entering…New Castle.” Tue, 20 Apr 2021 15:03:12 +0000