This week's Hot Seat: Media Monday brings together three stories that celebrate creativity, community, and civic courage. The show begins in New Hartford, where twin sisters Ella and Reagan Sullivan take on the contrasting lead roles of Beetlejuice and Lydia in their junior high production of Beetlejuice Jr. Director Susan Nackley Mojave shares how nearly 100 students collaborated onstage and behind the scenes to bring the Halloween-themed musical to life, showing how youth theater builds confidence, teamwork, and lasting skills. Next, the spotlight turns to the Happy Haggs Dance Troop of Central New York, a grassroots women’s group inspired by Germany’s Wolfshäger Hexenbrut, who spread joy and empowerment through dance while donating their proceeds to local women’s charities such as the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley. The episode concludes with photojournalist Jim Hale’s report from the No Kings rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, where thousands of peaceful protesters voiced concerns about democracy, justice, and healthcare. His coverage explores the “3.5% rule,” the idea that when a small but determined portion of the population engages in sustained nonviolent protest, meaningful change can follow. Together, these stories highlight how art, compassion, and activism intertwine to strengthen community and inspire hope. 

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