Worcester, MA — October 11, 2023 — Underscoring its commitment to covering local news throughout Worcester County, GBH News will host the first debate of the 2023 Worcester Mayoral race live from its Worcester Bureau on Monday, October 16 at 6 pm.
GBH News Worcester Reporter Sam Turken will moderate an open-format debate among the five candidates: incumbent Mayor Joseph Petty, Vice Mayor Donna Colorio, City Councilor Khrystian King, activist Guillermo Creamer Jr. and activist William Coleman.
“Worcester is a vibrant city, and we are excited to shine a light on its mayoral race as part of our commitment to local news in the region,” said Pam Johnson, general manager of news at GBH. "This debate will explore the issues that matter most to Worcester voters so they can make informed decisions at the ballot box this November."
The debate will be broadcast as a video livestream on the GBH News website and the GBH News YouTube channel, offering Worcester voters an opportunity to assess the five candidates in the race to lead New England's second-largest city.
The GBH News Worcester Bureau at 27 Federal Street is equipped with a full broadcast studio and technology to stream digital video and file radio stories for 89.7 FM and the GBH News website. The upcoming event marks the first time GBH News has hosted a debate in the bureau.
GBH News coverage of Worcester spans impactful reporting about nonprofits, housing, politics and business to the culture that defines Worcester as a city. A recent story about Worcester's history as a manufacturing hub for pre-built dining cars was awarded a 2022 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award in the category of Best Feature Reporting. Find more at: https://www.wgbh.org/tags/worcester.
The Worcester Bureau is funded in part by the C. Jean & Myles McDonough Charitable Foundation and the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation.
About GBH
GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories and information to audiences wherever they are. GBH’s local television channels include GBH 2, GBH 44, GBH WORLD and GBH Kids. With a newsroom headquartered in Boston, GBH reaches across New England with GBH 89.7, Boston’s Local NPR; CRB Classical 99.5; and CAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station. From Boston to the Berkshires, from Worcester to the Cape and Islands, GBH is dedicated to connecting the Commonwealth through news, programming, learning tools and events. GBH has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital and journalism awards. Find more information at gbh.org.
