A Leap Forward for Local Journalism, Community Education and Civic Engagement in Central Pennsylvania

For nearly 158 years and four generations, the Steinman family of Lancaster has owned and operated what today is LNP | LancasterOnline, Lancaster County’s top source of news and information.

Founded by educators in 1963, WITF has been an essential part of the civic, educational and cultural fabric of the Central Pennsylvania region for 60 years.

Now LNP and WITF — two vibrant, local institutions — are marking a new era and a huge leap forward in how they serve all who call Central Pennsylvania home.

Steinman Communications, which is owned by the Steinman family, is gifting LNP to WITF as a capstone to the family’s two centuries of community service and philanthropy.

Together, WITF and LNP are creating a new mission-driven and sustainable model for local news, community education and civic engagement in the region. Together they will:

Collaboratively expand and diversify local news media platforms, educational programs and forums for civic engagement
Build on their important work that shines a light on government decision-making, serves as a check on public spending, and holds elected leaders to account
Deliver local news in ways that inform and inspire the communities they serve
Fill the void in local journalism that has resulted as other media organizations retrench or close
Expand equitable access to proven, effective education programs for learners regionally and statewide

WITF and LNP will leverage each other’s strengths to achieve their educational mission through increased early childhood education, STEM education, media literacy, and civic engagement programs. Additionally, the Steinman Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on improving the quality of life in Lancaster County communities, and WITF are establishing the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement. The Steinman Institute will advance journalism, professional development (of journalists), innovation, community engagement and community-focused education initiatives.

The combined enterprise will remain 100% locally owned and operated and serve almost three million people in 19 counties in Central Pennsylvania.

With our shared commitment to local journalism, community education and civic engagement, we are excited for you to discover all the ways we will enrich more lives — together.

Experience our Vision

Frequently Asked Questions

The transfer of LNP to WITF is a gift to all of us who call Central Pennsylvania home. Learn more about the partnership between our two organizations.

Will the combined organization assume a new name?

WITF and LNP will continue to use their respective identities. There are currently no plans to rebrand under a single name.

Will LNP | LancasterOnline’s focus remain on Lancaster County?

Yes, LNP | LancasterOnline are and plan to remain Lancaster County’s top sources for local news and information. LNP | LancasterOnline will maintain its focus on Lancaster County.

Will LNP continue to publish the daily print edition?

Yes, the print edition of LNP will continue to be published daily.

Will owning a newspaper change WITF’s focus or direction?

No. WITF and LNP are each in a strong position to grow the value they bring to local communities. LNP is an asset to Lancaster County and, as part of WITF, will continue to be an asset as a top source of local news and information in the region.

Will any WITF programs or services be eliminated as a result of this partnership?

There are no plans to reduce WITF programs or services. Rather, WITF’s and LNP’s partnership will expand and diversify local news platforms, education programs and forums for civic engagement. These include:

WITF public radio with regional news and NPR news and programming
WITF public television with locally produced and PBS programming for all ages
The Morning Agenda podcast (a Central Pennsylvania news roundup)
The Spark, a radio program that strives to foster deeper understanding of important topics
Topical journalism on issues including politics, climate, energy and healthcare
Locally produced productions such as Transforming Health and Toward Racial Justice
LNP, Lancaster County’s daily newspaper
LancasterOnline, the number one news site in Lancaster County
The Caucus (a state government accountability journalism publication)
The Lititz Record-Express (serving Lititz and Manheim)
The Ephrata Review (serving Ephrata and Cocalico)
WITF.org featuring news, WITF productions and live streams
Mosaic, WITF’s hub for all things arts, culture and lifestyle
WITFK PBS Kids, providing audiences including underrepresented communities with access to children’s programming over the air, online and via the PBS Kids app
Educational programs for the classroom and for the community including Ready Set Explore, Explore in the Classroom and the Central PA Spelling Bee
Events that create opportunities for community engagement including The Spark Travels, News & Brews and PBS program preview screenings

Will LNP advertisers and WITF underwriters have access to combined marketing opportunities?

Yes, creating combined marketing opportunities for underwriters and advertisers to reach both LNP and WITF audiences will be explored in the future.

Will this transaction impact WITF’s public media status?

No. WITF will continue to be a public media organization committed to being an essential part of the civic, educational and cultural fabric of Central Pennsylvania.

Will this impact the make-up of WITF’s or LNP’s board of directors?

WITF and LNP will continue to each have boards, but with a degree of overlapping representation to ensure alignment with a combined vision and enterprise-wide goals.

Who will lead the combined organization?

Ron Hetrick, WITF president and CEO, will lead the combined organization. Robert Krasne, currently chairman and CEO of Steinman Communications, will become chair of the board of managers for The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement.

Will this transaction result in job cuts?

No. On the contrary, as a single enterprise, WITF and LNP will build on their vibrant organizations to strengthen local news, community education and civic engagement in our region.

Will LNP still be its own company?

Steinman Communications is converting LNP to a Pennsylvania Benefit Corporation and gifting LNP to WITF. A benefit corporation is a type of for-profit entity that is organized to responsibly create public benefit in addition to its business purpose. As a benefit corporation, LNP will be a subsidiary of WITF.

What is The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement?

The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement will advance WITF’s and LNP’s educational initiatives including early childhood education, STEM education, media literacy, and civic engagement programs.

Ways You Can Support

Donate to WITF

Show your support for WITF by making a one-time gift, or become a monthly donor to support quality local journalism in Central Pennsylvania.

Donate Now

Become a WITF Sponsor

WITF will help your business or organization reach a wide audience of consumers from across Central Pennsylvania and beyond.

Become a Sponsor

Stay connected to Lancaster County

Quality, independent, local journalism plays an important role in our community. We appreciate your support.

Subscribe to LNP

Support the Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund

Our mission is to support, protect and expand local journalism in and for Lancaster County by promoting investigative and public interest journalism and media literacy.

Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund

Contact Us

We welcome and value your feedback and questions. Please reach us through one of the methods below.