Pierce County TV has launched a mobile app and a new public affairs talk show to enhance its coverage of local people, programs and events.

The PCTV app, available for Apple and Android devices, makes it easy to watch the channel’s original programming, including a documentary that was just nominated for a Northwest Emmy.

The mobile app features PCTV’s live programming stream, individual stories and, of course, meetings of the County Council and member city councils so the public can watch policymakers in action. Pierce County IT specialists and students from the University of Washington Tacoma built the app through an innovative internship program.

One story featured on the app was just nominated for a Northwest Emmy Award, which recognizes excellence in television programming in a 5-state region. The Healing Bridge is a moving story about a Hilltop Artists program for middle and high school students. The story documents their journey to building confidence, creativity and responsibility as they create a blown-glass art display for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma. Emmy winners will be announced June 7.

PCTV creates and manages government access programming for the county and six member cities. Programming consists of gavel-to-gavel meeting coverage, original news and magazine shows and other locally produced programs, including the latest edition to the PCTV lineup, Pierce County Talks.

“This program gives us the opportunity to go a little deeper into the issues facing Pierce County and its citizens,” said PCTV General Manager Dave Hinman. “We also enjoy some lighter moments as we celebrate the interesting people and events that make Pierce County a great place to live, work and play.”

In its pilot episode in April, Hinman addressed the state mandate for updating the county’s Shoreline Management Program and how it will affect Pierce County residents. In a new episode that begins airing May 5 at 7 p.m., Hinman talks with first responders about emergency preparedness and the lessons learned from the mudslide in the Snohomish County community of Oso.

“The emergency preparedness episode should be a must-watch for everyone who lives or works here,” Hinman added. “Our county experts learned a great deal about disaster readiness from Oso and are using that knowledge to help prepare for anything from a mudslide, earthquake or tsunami to a devastating volcanic eruption.”

You can watch PCTV on Comcast Cable (channel 22), Click! Cable TV (channel 22 and HD on 522), Rainier Connect (channel 20), and live on the internet.

PCTV covers DuPont, Fife, Orting, Pierce County, Puyallup, Sumner, and University Place, and is interested in developing relationships with other cities and towns in the county. Member cities can televise their council meetings, providing open and transparent government for their citizens.