Michael Max Knobbe

An inspiring Bronx Week 2026 with alongside BronxNet + NBC family, the remarkable Darlene Rodriguez, as she is inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame. Darlene is a daughter of the Bronx and an alumna of BronxNet Public Media, starting her TV career as a journalist at BronxNet, next onto WCBS Newsradio, and now as the co-anchor on TODAY in NY on NBC. Darlene, thank you for spotlighting the spirit, culture, and voices that continue to shape this great City, and for speaking with BronxNet reporter 🌟You are a role model as BronxNet builds on our success in providing opportunities for students / future media leaders 🌞🗽

Ποιος σ’ αγαπάει, μωρό μου; 🌟 Who loves you, baby?

While the Bronx leads the way in culture and resilience, local media outlets across the country are facing unprecedented challenges. Now more than ever, community media centers are stepping up to fill the gap, delivering essential citizen journalism, community information, and authentic storytelling for all people. NYS Assemblyman George Alvarez and BronxNet Public Media are proud to invite you to an interactive panel discussion in Albany to address these vital issues:
🌟 The Local News Gap: Why Community Media Matters for New York’s Communities 🌟
Join Executive Director Michael Max Knobbe, along with noted community media experts and storytellers, for an in-depth conversation on the future of local news and the power of community-driven media.
When: Friday, February 13, 2026, at 1:00pm
Where: Hilton Albany, 40 Lodge Street, Governor Room A, Albany, NY
Meet Our Panelists:
Austin C. Jefferson: Albany Bureau Chief, StreetsblogNYC
Bob Lee: Host of OPEN Monday on BronxNet & WBLS Radio Personality
Michael Max Knobbe: Executive Director, BronxNet
Whether you are a storyteller, an advocate, or a concerned citizen, your voice is a critical part of this conversation. We hope to see you in Albany as we advocate for the media resources our communities deserve.
🌟 Your creativity and commitment are what make BronxNet thrive. We’re here to support you every step of the way, and together we’ll continue building a stronger community through media. 🌟

NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address highlighted achievements from the past four years and outlined her agenda for the year ahead, including expanding universal child care, strengthening public safety, cracking down on insurance fraud, protecting children online and from addictive algorithms, forward thinking AI policy, supporting youth mental health, and upholding constitutional rights. As we commemorate 250 years of American Democracy, Governor Hochul stated: “…I believe 250 years from now people will look back on this moment and ask: …Did we properly invest in education, knowing that an educated populace may be our best defense against tyranny? And when long cherished rights were stripped away and our very democracy was threatened, did we stand up and protect them?…” Public awareness, critical thinking, and civic discourse is what we seek to cultivate at community media networks like BronxNet Public Media, so these sentiments particularly resonated.

🌿 Grateful for the stories we’ve made together —the laughter, the lessons, and the love that shaped our year—our hearts are full and open, ready to embrace the joys, adventures, and beautiful moments that await us in the year ahead. Happy + Healthy 2026! 🌟

‘You Are the Art’ with many of the installations delivering participatory experiences at Magazzino Italian Art Museum & Research Center including ‘Base Magica’ part of artist Piero Manzioni’s ‘Total Space’ in the The Robert Olnick Pavilion. Despina is from Athens, Greece and my family is from Campania, Italia so we feel great affinity with the work of Jannis Kounellis including ‘Senza titolo (Bilancino e Caffe)’ with coffee aromas and more referencing the port cities of Piraeus and Naples.
It’s a Mediterranean Field of Dreams, Culture, Competition, and Collaboration with Michelangelo Pistoletto’s installation ‘Love Difference’ celebrating diversity and teamwork on a mirrored map foosball table, and ‘Stracci Italiani’ nearby. Artist Giulio Paolini conveys a message of self reflection through Hermes and Praxiteles evoking the past, the future, and empathy between worlds with ‘Mimesi’. A nice journey through love, life, culture and coffee + more at Magazinno Italian Art in the Hudson Valley, Cold Spring, NY.