North Carolina Now; Episode from 1999-06-03

It's Thursday, June 3rd, tonight presenting a new world of viewing options right at your fingertips. In North Carolina, now. Hello, and welcome to this Thursday edition of North Carolina. I'm Barclay Todd in from a Rita matray. Gone are the days when television viewers had only four or five channels to watch. Cable and satellite have already multiplied channel options for viewers, and that number is bound to increase even more when television stations convert from an analog signal to a digital one. While the current system allows a given station to broadcast only one channel, the digital age will provide enough flexibility for several channels of programming to air from one station at the same time. Producer Paula Edelsen has more on this aspect of DTV known as multi-casting. High definition television provides a picture of such clarity and detail that viewers will feel almost as if they are part of the action.

The flawless and enhanced picture quality high definition brings is one of the most desirable aspects of digital television, but it's not the only one. In truth, broadcasters will have several choices when it comes to the spectrum space or bandwidth they will be given to transmit digital television. They can use almost the entire spectrum to show one high definition channel, or they can divide the spectrum space to show at least four channels of standard definition television. This option is called multi-casting. Each channel provided by multi-casting would offer a better picture than what you see now on your analog set, but not the impeccable detail of high definition television. So what's the appeal of multi-casting to consumers? Well, there would be a lot more to choose from. So if I said to you, how would you like it if Channel 2, all of a sudden became Channel 2A, Channel 2B, Channel 2C, Channel 2D? You might think, I don't need all those channels. Most consumers only watch a very small percentage of all those channels.

But then if I say, what if I'm one of those channels that's playing your favorite program that usually airs during the day, but now you can watch it at night because they've time shifted it, and you can watch all those daytime programs at night? Well, my friends who love soap opera say, oh, I like that idea. And some broadcasters really like the opportunity multi-casting will give them to expand their programming in a responsible manner. UNC TV director and general manager Tom Howe plans to use a combination multi-casting and high definition broadcasting to enhance the network's mission of bringing enlightening and entertaining programming to North Carolina's. Our proposal would be to use this technology to provide one high definition television service, one channel service from 8 p.m. to midnight, and then the other 20 hours of the day offer multi-casting. 20 hours of four channel service adds up to a lot of programs on one station. There are some commercial broadcasters who believe too much programming could actually diminish the quality of programs on their air. That's one reason that WRAL and Raleigh is choosing to walk away from multi-casting, opting instead to go with the high definition signal.

If we had four channels, would we be doing? I love Lucy's more soap operas at night, home shopping networks. There's just programming would be a real big problem. You know, it's going to take quality programming to move HDTV to start with. And so we're talking about regressing in my opinion if we go back to four channels. That may be true for commercial television, but public television as green notes is a different story. I think the best application is for public broadcasting, because you could do four channels, educational channels during the day, and then the primetime entertainment full HD at night, so it's the best application probably for multi-casting. UNCTV plans to use four channels during its multi-casting hours. The Just For Kids channel would show only children's programs such as Sesame Street. The Distance Learning Channel would be devoted to educational and telecourse programming. Another channel would provide all North Carolina programs such as North Carolina now or legislative coverage. And UNCTV Prime would bring viewers PBS programming during the day. The extra channels Tom Howe says will benefit North Carolinians of all ages.

We have been challenged now for decades of having far more programming than the delivery capacity and far greater need for our services. We have a need for a full-time children's channel. We have a need for a full-time distance learning channel. We have a need for a full-time North Carolina channel. We have a need to deliver people traditional public television programming during the daytime, the same kind of programs that are available to adults at night. Martin Lancaster, president of the North Carolina Community College System, agrees that there's an educational need for multi-casting in the state. By splitting the spectrum of television broadcasting, you're going to be able to simultaneously offer multiple courses and multiple programming. So you can offer the kinds of programming that will appeal to children and at the very same time offer courses that will appeal to those who are trying to upgrade their job skills. Lancaster is specifically referring to students in the community college system who have relied on UNCTV's distance learning broadcast to take courses for credit through television.

Distance learning is currently broadcast on UNCTV during late night and early morning hours. By making the service available during more convenient times, multi-casting will make it possible for more people in the community college system to benefit from this service. We have more than 12,000 people now who take our tele courses even at inconvenient times. We believe offering multiple courses at more convenient times to the working student will greatly increase the number of people who will want to take tele courses. And UNCTV director of learning ventures, Jay Holloway stresses, that multi-casting will help public television expand its viewer base for distance learning beyond the community college system. Although the community colleges are the predominant users of our tele courses for college credit right now, we are very hopeful that our 16 constituent institutions in the UNC system will take advantage of this resource. And so we can have a two-year block on this distance learning channel and a four-year block. So whether you're looking for an associate degree or a four-year degree or courses, whether it's for credit or not for credit, we're hopeful that our constituent institutions will take advantage of this wonderful resource.

Although multi-casting can serve many positive educational purposes, there's no denying the fact that the digital age will make television an even more prevalent part of contemporary society. The potential of digital television is going to make television even more pervasive than our society than it is today. Our point of view, though, is that if that amount of time is going to be spent from the television set, some of it should be spent as an enriching experience and educational experience and information experience. And that's why public television is so important. FCC requirements specify that all stations begin digitally broadcasting by the year 2003. It's estimated by the year 2006, a majority of Americans will be able to access digital television and the option that it brings by owning either a digital television set or a converter box. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at the federal mandate that's driving this revolutionary change in television.

Coming up later, a theater group that's bringing the stage alive for children. But now let's head over to Mitchell Lewis at the North Carolina now news desk for an update of today's statewide headlines. Hi, Mitch. Hello, Barclay. Good evening, everyone. Topping the news, the State House has given final approval to next year's budget plan, the $13.5 billion spending package passed after nearly 12 hours of floor debate. Much of the budget money is being allocated to one of Governor Hunt's top priorities, education. House Speaker Jim Black says he's pleased with the results of the plan. Well, of course, getting our teachers pay the national average, we were able to do that. We had an infusion of money into the community college system, which is a major segment of our education system. And we did some things for for state employees salary increases. And we did it without raising taxes. And we did it without having to go into the rainy day fund with a shortfall that we were expecting to have to deal with earlier in the year than I thought we did a pretty good job. And obviously both sides of the aisle thought we did a good job.

The budget plan now goes to the Senate for its approval. Black believes the budget will not face a great deal of opposition there. Because House and Senate members have been working together along the way to formulate the spending plan. Governor Hunt today laid out his vision for the Department of Transportation. Speaking before the DOT board this afternoon, Hunt said the agency needs to remain committed to reforming the department in the aftermath of the recent resignation of former DOT Secretary Norris Tolson. Hunt also said the DOT must work hard on improving mass transit and preserving the environment and praised members of the department and the board for their work. This is a new start, new day. Got a team of leaders around this table that are absolutely terrific. And I want you to give it every minute, every bit of energy you can. I want you to work with our people out there and let them help us do it. And let's just show the people North Carolina what we can do. Hunt's address to the board comes one week after the resignation of Norris Tolson, who is running for governor.

A state board of ethics panel has cleared Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Janice Faulkner of any wrongdoing in connection with charitable contributions raised by employees on her behalf. The investigation was prompted by complaints earlier this year that high-ranking DMV officials pressured employees to make donations to Faulkner's church and to other charities. As a follow-up, the ethics panel plans to present its findings to the State Bureau of Investigation to determine if any DMV officials engaged in criminal actions. A State House Committee wants to make it tougher for areas to incorporate as municipalities. A bill approved by the House Ways and Means Committee would require towns to provide services such as police protection and garbage collection before they could incorporate. The proposal would also require towns to raise at least a third of their revenues from local taxes, mostly through property tax. Also under the bill, population in new towns would have to be at least 250 people per square mile. Administrators at UNC Chapel Hill are considering a tuition increase to help address a $9.8 million shortfall.

Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance, Jim Ramsey says UNC students now pick up about 12% of the total cost of their education. He says studies show students at other public universities are asked to pay nearly 20% of the bill. Last week, UNC Chapel Hill administrators suggested across the board cuts would be needed to meet a shortfall. And now for a look at tomorrow's weather, highs across the state will range from the upper 70s to mid 80s. Most of the state can expect sunny skies with a few clouds along the coast. In business news, fielding competition from Southwest Airlines and MetroJet, Midway Airlines is looking at ways to attract more customers. Midway is considering cutting costs by acquiring more economical jets. The company is also looking at increasing its number of non-stop destinations. If Midway is able to purchase more planes, it could offer up to 150 departures to 37 non-stop destinations from RDU International Airport. And now for a look at what happened on Wall Street today.

Currently, the American Association of Retired Purses is opposing a new state law proposed by Senator David Hoyle that will require drivers over 60 to have their driver's life is renewed more often than in general population.

Joe Mangum is the North Carolina coordinator for AARP's 55 Alive Program. He joins us now to talk with us more about this bill and his organization's opposition to it. Mr. Mangum, thank you and welcome to the program. First of all, let's tell our viewers a little bit about what Senator Hoyle's bill proposes. Well, the bill proposes that starting out, I think, 18 to 59 that a person will get 10 years renewal on the driver's license. First of all, I personally objected that because over 10 years span, health changes, eyes changed. Nothing stays the same. And there's a lot of discriminatory because of the senior citizens. After they reach a certain age, they're going to start singling them out. Let's go down to certain age brackets and what the bill actually proposes for those age brackets to give our viewers a clear understanding about what we're talking about. Well, starting from age 18 to 59, the bill proposes that in his past Senate that a person can go in and renew the driver's license for 10 years and never have to come back in. And then from age 60 until age, I forget what it was, 75, I believe, that you would only get a five year renewal.

And at age 75 and older, they would bring you in every three years. What is your and particularly AARP's opposition particularly to this bill? Well, it's not conducive to really the highway safety. I don't know if it's general to the working employees of the state or what because anytime you give somebody 10 years on the driver's license without checking them and there's no refresher courses anywhere in the state. And the state does not offer any kind of refresher courses. And people today can miss so many signs. They can miss three out of 12 signs and still qualify for driver's license each time. And the objection that we have, it once you turn 60 years old, you have to come in every five years. Now, if they're going to give everyone else 10 years, why are they single, the same your citizen now that age 60 to come in every five years and when you 75 every three years. And I dare to say some of the 75 year old drivers are a whole lot better than some of the people who's proposing this bill and backing this bill.

I already mentioned that Senator Hoyleswell has passed the Senate and is now in the House Finance Committee. What do you think your real chances are of even getting the bill, getting the bill changed or actually defeating it? I really don't know. The state legislative committee of AARP is the people who really work on this aspect of it. And they talk to me whenever they need what we have, you know, what we need to cover. And what the situation is is in committee. And I understand that. But if it has a chance, I hope that I don't have the opportunity to go down and speak up about this because seniors need somebody to speak up for them. And the state legislative committee and the Capitol City Task Force and AARP is standing up to fight for seniors because it's not right to bring seniors in for no reason whatsoever to test them much more frequently than anyone else. Because they already have the general statues that they envy. They can test all drivers at six months intervals for the rest of their life.

And there's no reason to change any kind of statues because we have enough laws now if they were just enforced what we have. As you probably know, there is the perception out there that senior drivers are higher risk drivers. Is this perception the reality? In some cases, yes. And the reality of that is because through the years North Carolina has quick given any kind of refresher courses. They have quick given, they passed the law several years ago that if you hadn't had any accidents, all thing you have to do is pass a vision and scientist. But what happens is people get away from the laws. When new laws pass, people are not aware of it. And people singular are just concerned about themselves at the time. Am I going to qualify? And you will find that a lot of people instead of interested in how their safety they have their own vested interests, which is true because North Carolina has no transportation that we can depend to get us from home to the market. You mentioned refresher courses that I want to leave without you talking to us about the 55 alive program. Tell us about how it works.

Well, I think in my opinion, it's one of the best programs that was specially designed for seniors. Because seniors, our reaction turns down where it slows down, our hearing is not as good as it used to be. And our vision is not as good as it used to be. And this is a refresher course and has been proven in 35 states has passed the law that they give a 10% discount or more in these other states that a person completes this, they get a 10% reduction on the insurance. But I mean focus here in North Carolina is highway safety. Insurance is good, it's incentive for people to attend the course. But I focus on highway safety because keeping a senior mobile and independent is quite important. Because until North Carolina comes across with having public transportation so you can get from your home to the market or to the grocery store or to the beauty shop, is hard on senior citizens or even to the doctor. And this class is designed to address the needs of senior citizens such as division, such as preventing accidents, how to merge on highway.

And I assure you that most citizens today do not know how to merge into a freeway. Well, Mr. Megham, thank you so much for coming to North Carolina and talking with us about the 55 alive program as well as ARP's opposition to Senator Hoyle's bill. And please come back and update us as we go along. Certainly will. For those of you who want to follow Senate bill 791, the driver's license renewal bill, it has passed the Senate and is currently in the House Finance Committee, where it needs to be approved before moving on to the full house for a vote. Just outside of Chapel Hill, lies an innovative performing company known as Jelly Educational Theater supported in part from a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council. This special acting company uses theater as a tool to teach children and their families.

This season for the first time, the company is using actors with disabilities as a way to break down some of the stereotypes and misconceptions about people who use wheelchairs. But this is Sarah Falk has more. The country is so special, Sean. Yes, she's new. And I actually... When actor T.K. puts on stage makeup for Jelly Educational Theater, he knows it's for a performance with a purpose. Jelly Educational Theater Company put on its first show in 1995. It is the only theater company in the triangle that produces and performs original plays and musicals just for children. Here's where they rehearse. All Jelly's shows are designed to entertain and educate children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Producing two shows a season, Jelly tackles major themes like fear, inclusion and competition and tries to teach values like good sportsmanship and respect for nature. With a master's degree in child psychology, writer, director, Sarah Frober researches each subject with teachers and fellow psychologists to be sure her show's message is on the right track toward helping kids confront the issues and challenges they're faced with while growing up.

When we first started, people were weary. They said that they were afraid children didn't want to go to theater and see heavy topics. The actual truth is that our treatment of the subject is not heavy. But the topics themselves are very, very complex and the children have responded beautifully. Tackling the issue of courage when making choices, Jelly's latest show is called Wheelchair Dancer. It's awesome because it looks, you see on people's faces, they're like, you say Wheelchair Dancer and they're like, what in the world is a Wheelchair Dancer? And that kind of contradictory and just to be free and to forget all about, to forget all about your limitations and start looking at what you can do. In this story, the lead character Amy, played by Julia Leggett, tries to overcome the stereotype that just because she's in a wheelchair, she can't dance.

Her first obstacle is her protective mother. Amy, let's face it, you can't use your legs. How can you dance if you can't use your legs? My wheelchair can be my leg. It moves beautifully. You might hurt yourself, you might fall out of the chair, hurt yourself. See what you got there. No bricks, no bricks. Actors Sean Hessey and Mike Atkins are basketball players in the show. In this scene, they show Amy what people in wheelchairs can do. And they encourage her to show up for a dance audition. There, she finds her next obstacle is the perceptions others have of her disability and its limitations. To be a dancer, you have to be able to move. But Amy tries to explain that dancing can happen in many ways.

She tells them there are many different ways to interpret the music and she finally convinces them she's right. Wheelchair dancers director Sheila Carrigan says the show's choreography was both challenging and inspirational. She had to draw on what she knew of the vertical and choppy movements used by walking actors and add the smooth horizontal movements used by a rolling chair on wheels. The actors hope kids who see the show walk or wheel away, understanding that people with disabilities are not that different from people without disabilities. They encounter many of the same obstacles and triumphs. It's like when you trip and fall down and there's nobody around, you get yourself back up and go. If I fall on my wheelchair, I hop back up in my chair and dust myself off and I go on. So we got letters, we got posters from children who sit in essence.

These people with disabilities are just like us. In the finale, the cast's message is simple. You can do it. You are a wonderful dancer, Amy, as wonderful as ever. Thanks, Bob. And thanks to all of you for getting a chance. The band is so very hard to follow your dreams and follow your heart. But no matter how hard it seems, you can't do it. So much it does weigh our issues. I can't do it! I can't do it! I can't do it! I can't do it! I can't do it! I can't do it! I can't do it! I can't do it!

Jelly Educational Theatre is currently working on a performance tackling the issues of disability, anger, management, and conflict resolution. The show is called, instead of hitting, it opens in October. For more information on the production, call them at 919-932-626107. Well, that does it for this edition of North Carolina Now. Please join us tomorrow night when we have more on wide television stations are having to make the switch to digital. Until then, have a good night. You