When it comes to current news and the latest entertainment, Greater Hazleton is definitely in the loop.

After all, Greater Hazleton is the birthplace of cable television. In June 1948, a local appliance store owner named John Walson, in a valley south of Hazleton, was out of the reach of early television broadcast signals. Since there was no available signal, he wasn't selling a lot of TVs. So Walson put an antenna on top of a nearby mountain, ran the wires down to his store, and showed off his product. Sales soared. He started building amplifiers and switched to coaxial cable (the same cable you use now) and cable TV took off.

Nowadays, Greater Hazleton is blessed with a number of broadcast and print media outlets. All major television networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox) have affiliates in our region. Every day, three local stations produce local newscasts to the entire marketplace.

In Hazleton itself, WYLN TV-35 and Local News 13 provides news and event information tailored specifically for Greater Hazleton residents. Both Hazleton stations feature features many live broadcasts of area high school sports teams and political forums.

Our area's Public Broadcasting System (PBS) station blends national children's shows, cultural performances, and news with locally-produced performances, news shows and political profiles.

Since it was born here, cable television is easy to access, and most homes are pre-wired with multiple connection points. Several different cable providers cover the region, each providing dozens of channel choices and pay-per-view events.

Satellite television is also available throughout Greater Hazleton, as many areas have excellent southwestern views, which are necessary to acquire the signal from the orbiting satellites.

The air over Greater Hazleton is filled with the latest tunes and talk thanks to many radio stations throughout the region. From oldies and classical to pop and hip-hop, a spin of the dial brings it all to your home, car, or office.

If you like to hear what other people think and get involved in the debate, talk radio is alive and well in Northeastern Pennsylvania. National programs like Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura, and Mike Gallagher can be found on the AM side of the dial. Local issues are debated and discussed on regional talk shows where area residents share their thoughts with others.

A listener-supported station (WVIA) brings National Public Radio and classical, opera, jazz, blues, New Age, and other music programming to Greater Hazleton.

Most newspapers in Greater Hazleton have a rich heritage dating back to the 1800s. Greater Hazleton, for example, has been served by a family-owned newspaper since 1866, which is now called the Standard-Speaker. Residents have long shown they like to keep informed and active in their communities. The newspapers have responded by bringing local news, politics, sports, and event information to their doorsteps every day.

Weekly newspapers provide smaller communities with information tailored to those residents. There are several of these publications in the Hazleton area, like Valley Views, a weekly for residents of the Conyngham Valley.

But there are small, regional magazines in the area as well. In Greater Hazleton, Panorama informs readers about local history and trivia, health and beauty tips, and local personalities every month. Other publications bring bargains to residents, whether they're looking for appliances and similar items (Penny's Classifieds) or homes and real estate.