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painting

Bob Ross Paintings Sell For Over $600,000 To Help Fund Public Television Stations 

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Three paintings done by famous public television artist and personality Bob Ross have been sold this week for over $600,000 at auction. These paintings are the first of a collection of 30 works done by Ross that are being sold to benefit and fund public television stations that have recently been impacted by cuts in federal funding. 

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The live auction took place at Bonhams in Los Angeles. Auctioneer Aaron Bastian evoked a positive spirit while discussing the cause and legacy that Ross left after passing away in 1995. 

“For a good cause – and you get the painting, Bob would remind you that this is your world, and you can do anything you want.”

“Winter’s Peace,” which Ross painted in a 1993 episode of his public television show “The Joy of Painting,” sold for $318,000 to a bidder on the phone. 

Another painting done during a 1993 episode called “Home in the Valley,” went for $229,100. A third, “Cliffside,” sold for $114,800.

The final prices included a charge given to the auction house which is added to the final bid known as the buyer’s premium. Bids for all three paintings went past what was estimated pre-auction. All the paintings were estimated to auction for around $50,000. 

For the rest of the paintings that will be auctioned, it’s scheduled that three more of them will be bid on at Bonhams in Marlborough, Massachusetts on January 27th with others in New York and London. 

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Profits from all of the auctions of Ross’ paintings are pledged to go to stations that use content from the distributor American Public Television. 

Bob Ross was a major figure in public television during the 1980s and ‘90s. He was known for his warm and inviting personality and calm demeanor as he taught the nation how to paint wondrous landscapes themselves. 

These auctions will help stations that are in need of licensing fees to continue to show classic shows including Ross’, as well as “America’s Test Kitchen,” “Julia Child’s French Chef Classics,” and “This Old House.” 

Stations located in smaller and more rural areas throughout America are finding it particularly difficult to gain funding. Public television programs have been a staple in American culture and education for decades, so it’s important to keep them alive. 

Joan Kowalsi, president of Bob Ross Inc., spoke on the importance of these stations and programs. 

“The stations have been the getaway for generations of viewers to discover not just Bob’s gentle teaching, but the transformative power of the arts.”

The Trump Administration has led Congress in eliminating $1.1 billion in funding allocated to public broadcasting, which has now left only 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations.

npr

Trump Administration Is Getting Closer To Cutting Federal Funding For NPR and PBS 

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Earlier this month, President Donald Trump sent a package of spending cuts to Capitol Hill that the House of Representatives recently voted to pass that would cut federal funding for NPR and PBS.

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weather

US To Experience Another Summer Of Extreme Heat As Trump Administration Cuts Key Agencies 

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This summer is already set to be one of the hottest on record in the United States. With worsening weather conditions and a multitude of extreme climate events, the US is preparing the best they can for the coming months. 

While preparation measures are in place, there is major concern over the lingering impacts of the Trump Administration cutting funding for key agencies that assist the nation for these conditions. Funding and staff for federal science, forecasting resources, and disaster response agencies have been cut drastically throughout the US, which could leave many citizens vulnerable. 

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According to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the extreme heat this summer will be “widespread.” Many parts of America have already begun to feel the impact in these beginning weeks of summer. 

The NOAA reported that throughout the spring this year there was a lack of precipitation. That combined with high temperatures and dry conditions could lead to increased levels of drought and wildfires this summer. 

Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” has made major cuts to the National Weather Service, specifically in Texas where the Houston office for the service has been left understaffed and without any permanent leadership, according to reports from the Guardian. 

Despite the fact that the US, and the world, has been continuously left susceptible to threatening weather conditions, federal science agencies like NOAA have been forced to operate at a reduced capacity and without proper funding. 

These cuts have led to hundreds of meteorologists leaving the National Weather Service. Now, Americans are turning to their local and state officials for guidance when it comes to handling heat and extreme weather. Non-profits and universities have also become a reliable source of information when it comes to handling our changing climate. 

From Rice University in Houston, climate scientist Sylvia Dee and her colleagues have described the major heat we’ve experienced as a “slow violence” against humanity. Climate change as a whole is a major threat to our health. Air pollution combined with extreme weather creates an environment that will become unsustainable for a healthy life. 

“There’s just so many things that center around heat stress. Extreme heat can hijack our brain’s ability to think clearly. Those executive functions like decision-making and inhibition and sequencing tasks, they all become harder,” Adrienne Heinz, a clinical research psychologist at Stanford University, said to reporters. 

“It becomes like walking through mud. It affects your ability to learn if you’re a student or your ability to perform if you’re an employee. It doesn’t leave anything untouched, really.”

The NOAA reports that excessive heat levels are the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US. According to a 2024 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, heat-related deaths in the US have increased by 117% since 1999. 

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Dee has stated that Texas is a prime example of what the US should look at to see the devastating impacts of climate change. 

“I feel like Houston is ground zero for climate change. I think there’s some level of frustration amongst us because, you know, we have been living through these conditions for many years,” she said. 

“We’re going to have more people in harm’s way. The exposure of Houstonians to weather and climate disasters will only increase. We’re very overwhelmed and trying desperately to sound the alarm.”

Heinz emphasized these points regarding the current, and worsening, impacts that our climate conditions have on human health. 

“These prolonged heat waves affect sleep, the cornerstone of our mental health. Our ability to weather adversity and emotionally regulate is compromised when we’re not getting good sleep.”

With staffing and funding cuts, it’s unclear how much federal bodies will be able to prepare and respond to extreme weather such as heat emergencies. 

An anonymous climate scientist from the Department of Energy said: 

“It’s pretty scary. Summers are only getting hotter, and wildfire seasons have been getting longer and more intense for years. These disruptions to federal science infrastructure and emergency response capacity come at the worst possible time.”

As a means of combatting the removal of necessary protections and funding from the Trump administration, many heat-prone cities and states, such as Arizona, California, and Nevada, have written and passed legislation, regulations, and ordinances to create a baseline for combatting extreme heat, and climate change in general. 

Mandy Ikert, the head of climate resilience with C40, an international group of cities working together on climate issues, said “with the health, safety, and economic impacts of extreme weather increasing, mayors know that inaction is not an option.” 

“Cities are taking a broad range of approaches to help their residents stay safe during the heat season, including investing in cooling centers, increased communication to residents, and new policies to make buildings and the people inside them safer.”

government

President Joe Biden Signs $1.7 Trillion Bill Leading Into 2023

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President Joe Biden signed a $1.7 trillion spending bill this week that will keep the federal government in full operation, and allocate necessary funding to various sectors.

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Pay Rent Reminder

Billions In Renters Aid Still Available For Struggling Americans 

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Six months ago Congress allocated more than $45 billion to the renters’ crisis which was triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of that money is still available today, in fact, only about a fifth of it has been used so far. 

According to data from the US Department of Treasury, $10 billion of the funding reached households by the end of last month, meaning there’s still around $35 billion in aid unspent and ready to be used. 

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Around 12 million adults are currently behind on their rent payments, according to a recent report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. One analysis over the summer found that the average American renter owed about $3,700, and in some areas rental debts were topping $10,000 per household. 

“There’s certainly remaining need in most states and cities. However, efforts to disburse the money have been challenged by a lack of awareness and cumbersome applications. Still, renters should not give up on getting the help.” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Just applying for renters aid can help you stay in your home longer. In at least five states individuals who apply for assistance are entitled to some level of protection from being pushed out of their homes. 

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For renters who don’t know how to apply, The National Low Income Housing Coalition has a state-by-state list of more than 500 organizations that are currently giving out federal money. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has a new online tool to help renters easily apply for the aid. 

To be eligible for the aid at least one member of your household has to qualify for unemployment benefits or attest in writing that they’ve lost income or incurred significant expenses due to the pandemic. 

There also needs to be a demonstrated risk of homelessness, which may include a past-due rent or utility notice. 

Additionally, your income level for 2020 can’t exceed 80% of your area’s median income, although some state’s have prioritized applicants who fall at 50% or lower, as well as those who have been unemployed for more than 90 days. 

You could potentially receive up to 18 months of assistance. If you’ve already been approved for rental funds but continue to be behind, you can reapply. If you are at risk of being evicted you can find low-cost or free legal help with an eviction in your state at Lawhelp.org.