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TODAY: HD Media welcomes public to special event

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 7:07 GMT by The Herald-Dispatch
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HD Media Welcomes the Public to a Special Community Event

The Herald-Dispatch’s front‑page story, published on the morning of October 6, 2025, announces a much‑anticipated public gathering hosted by HD Media, the local media company that has been serving the River Valley for over three decades. The article, “Today HD Media Welcomes Public to Special Event,” opens with a snapshot of the company’s mission—to keep the community informed, engaged, and connected—before turning to the details of the event itself: a free, open‑house and launch celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 12, at the Downtown Convention Center.

The Core of the Event

HD Media’s leadership has called the occasion “a celebration of local journalism and community partnership.” The event will feature:

• A Guided Tour of the New “Community Media Hub” – a state‑of‑the‑art facility built within HD Media’s historic newsroom building. The hub will house a public‑access studio, a digital newsroom, and a library of archival footage that will be made freely available to residents and students.
• Panel Discussions – moderated by local journalist Dan Hennessy, the panel will include HD Media’s editor-in-chief, Dr. Maria Gonzales; a representative from the City of River Falls’ Office of Public Communications; and a young resident who will speak about the role of media in civic engagement.
• Hands‑On Workshops – scheduled throughout the afternoon, ranging from basic audio‑editing techniques for high‑school students to an overview of fact‑checking tools for aspiring reporters.
• A Charity Drive – a pledge box for local nonprofits seeking support in the coming year, with a live fundraising segment during the keynote speech.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a closing reception featuring local food trucks, music from the River Valley Youth Orchestra, and a photo‑op with HD Media’s “Iconic Logo” that has been a staple of the region’s visual culture for 30 years.

Key Quotes and Insights

• Dr. Maria Gonzales, Editor‑in‑Chief, HD Media: “We’re not just a newsroom; we’re a platform for the community’s voice. Today, we open our doors not just to talk about local news, but to make it easier for our residents to produce it themselves.”
• Mayor Linda Patel (link in article to her official City Hall page): “HD Media’s initiative represents a powerful partnership. The new media hub will be a resource that keeps our city on the map and empowers citizens to participate in civic life.”
• Tina Morales, 17‑year‑old high‑school junior: “When I hear about how local news is made, I think it’s something only a few people get to do. Knowing I could learn to create my own stories here is so exciting.”

Background on HD Media

The Herald‑Dispatch article gives readers a concise history of HD Media. Founded in 1993, the company began as a small regional weekly paper before expanding into radio, television, and digital platforms. In 2015, the company established the HD Media Foundation, a nonprofit arm that supports journalism education and community outreach. The current venture—often referred to in the press release linked within the article—represents the culmination of a five‑year research and partnership effort with local universities, the State Library, and the Chamber of Commerce.

The linked press release on HD Media’s website, “HD Media Announces Launch of New Community Media Initiative,” delves into the strategic goals of the project:

1. Digital Literacy – Provide free courses on multimedia storytelling to residents aged 12‑35.
2. Archival Access – Digitize 30 years of local news footage and make it available in a public portal.
3. Journalistic Partnerships – Offer a fellowship program for local students to intern with HD Media’s newsroom.
4. Community Storytelling – Host monthly “Community Spotlight” segments where residents can submit topics or stories.

The initiative’s funding sources are listed as a mix of local corporate sponsorships, a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and community fundraising efforts.

Link Follow‑Up: What Else Did the Article Reference?

The Herald‑Dispatch article references several internal links that expand the context:

• HD Media’s “About Us” Page – This page contains a detailed timeline of the company’s milestones, an organizational chart, and a statement of core values that emphasize “accuracy, integrity, and community.”
• City of River Falls’ Office of Public Communications – The link opens to a page that lists upcoming city events, public‑access media resources, and a note about the city’s partnership with HD Media on a “Citizen Reporting Initiative.”
• River Valley Youth Orchestra’s Event Calendar – Provides information on the musical program scheduled for the event, including the repertoire and the conductor’s bio.
• The State Library’s Digital Archiving Program – Offers background on the partnership that will host the new media hub’s archival repository.

Each of these links gives readers a deeper dive into the collaborative fabric that underpins the event. For instance, the State Library’s page explains how the library’s digitization grant will fund the cloud‑based storage of local news footage, while the Youth Orchestra’s calendar confirms that the event will feature a “Jazz for the Community” piece performed by a local high‑school band.

The Bigger Picture

While the immediate focus of the article is the Saturday event, the writing situates HD Media’s initiative within a larger trend of local newsrooms adapting to a digital‑first, community‑centric model. The Herald‑Dispatch cites statistics from the Pew Research Center that illustrate the decline of print circulation and the corresponding rise in local radio and online platforms. HD Media’s new hub, according to Dr. Gonzales, is an attempt to “turn the tide by creating a local media ecosystem that is accessible to all.”

The article concludes with a call to action: “If you’re in the River Valley or a surrounding area, come and see how local journalism can become a collaborative, open‑source project. For more information on the event schedule, please visit the HD Media event page linked at the bottom of this article.” The linked page lists volunteer sign‑up forms, a map of the convention center, and a FAQ section addressing common questions about safety protocols, parking, and accessibility.

In Summary

The Herald‑Dispatch’s piece serves as a comprehensive preview of a community‑building moment for HD Media. It outlines the event’s schedule, highlights key participants, and contextualizes the company’s broader mission to empower residents with the tools and knowledge to create their own media. Through its strategic partnerships with city officials, educational institutions, and cultural organizations, HD Media is positioning itself not just as a news provider, but as a catalyst for civic engagement and local storytelling. The article, combined with the linked resources, offers readers a thorough understanding of the event’s objectives, logistics, and significance to the River Valley community.