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January 5, 2007

PBS’s Gwen Ifill analysis current political environment at Spark: KLRU’s Engaging Speaker Series presented by AMD

Austin, Texas — Acclaimed journalist and Washington Week host Gwen Ifill will kick off Spark 07: KLRU’s Engaging Speaker Series presented by AMD. Ifill will give independent, incisive commentary on the current political scene on Wednesday, January 31, at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre.

Tickets go on sale January 5, 2007 through klru.org/spark or at the Paramount Theatre box office at 713 Congress Avenue. KLRU’s Spark events feature a 45-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session.

Ifill, host and managing editor of PBS’s Washington Week and senior correspondent for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, is one of the most respected political analysts in the country. A veteran journalist, Ifill covered the White House, Congress and presidential campaigns for NBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post and others.

She joined the PBS news team in 1999 as a field reporter and backup anchor to Jim Lehrer on The Newshour. Also in 1999, she was asked to become the host Washington Week after serving as a frequent guest panelist on the roundtable series.

During her years with PBS, she has become one of the most respected political experts in the nation and, in 2004, she was picked to moderate the vice presidential debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards.

Spark features on event per month January through May. The series continues with:
• February 21: America’s changing culture with journalists Maria Hinojosa and Ray Suarez in Conversation.

• March 20: Global warming with international scientist Tim Flannery and pioneering journalist Elizabeth Kolbert.

• April 18: Media manipulation and its impact on consumers with cyberpunk author and filmmaker Douglas Rushkoff.

• May 15: Everyday life viewed through a quirky, spiritual literary truth with award-winning novelist Anne Lamott.

About SPARK

Over nine years, KLRU has established a reputation for bringing Austin some of the world's most talented and recognizable individuals through our Speaker Series. The content of the Series — purposefully diverse, thought provoking and relevant — is fashioned in the spirit of KLRU’s educational and inspirational programming. Spark is sponsored by AMD, Wells Fargo, The Austin Chronicle Austinist.com and KUT. All proceeds benefit KLRU-TV, a 501 c (3) non-profit organization.

About KLRU

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, reflects, celebrates and inspires Central Texas through creative excellence,
community engagement and lifelong learning. Although primarily a television station providing locally produced and quality national programming, KLRU is also a non-profit organization helping to build a stronger community through educational workshops, community outreach projects and public events. Get more information about KLRU at klru.org.

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