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'peta-wants-to-replace-punxsutawney-phil-with-a-hologram', 'tags': ['Groundhog Day', 'PETA', 'People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals', 'Punxsutawney', 'Groundhog Club', 'Punxsutawney Phil', 'Animal Rights'], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': True, 'most-popular': True, 'reversechron': True, 'google-news-feed': True}, 'hosts': [], 'adTags': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/ad-tags/instances/cmkn096og000r01s0rr0lqst1@published'}, 'byline': [{'names': [{'name': 'Andrew Limberg', 'text': 'Andrew Limberg', 'slug': 'andrew-limberg'}], 'sources': [], 'hosts': [], 'prefix': 'by'}], 'teaser': 'PETA wants to replace Punxsutawney Phil with a hologram', 'authors': ['Andrew Limberg'], 'content': [{'data': {'text': 'The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has announced its latest attempt to try and get the Groundhog Club in Punxsutawney to replace beloved Phil.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og000v01s0b8v2lv44@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&amp;feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7924294_2026-01-20-124534&amp;withPlaylist=false&amp;theme=blurred&amp;playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&amp;feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7924294_2026-01-20-124534&amp;withPlaylist=false&amp;theme=blurred&amp;playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmkn096og000w01s06aey10t1@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'PETA has previously suggested replacing Phil with a weather-forecasting robot, using a giant gold coin to toss for the weather prediction and last year offered to provide a “Weather Reveal” <a href="https://www.audacy.com/kdkaradio/news/local/peta-wants-to-replace-punxsutawney-phil-with-a-vegan-cake">vegan cake</a> in place of Phil.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og000x01s0mei8rfm5@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'This year, PETA is suggesting using a giant hologram of Phil.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og000y01s0nbb2it8j@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'In a letter to Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel, PETA is offering\xa0 \xa0to provide a massive, state-of-the-art, 3-D projection of a groundhog—complete with vocal weather predictions—to light up the stage at Gobbler’s Knob each year if Dunkel agrees to finally let\xa0<a href="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/cec0288a14bd414185ede4c3901c9c75/0/69cb1ae61ab23e37f7255e65112062b814f83928a7fd1f83511b95c68ebf7221?cache_buster=1768929548">Phil and his family retire</a>\xa0to a reputable sanctuary.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og000z01s0lrx43rss@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“Pixelated popstars are headlining concerts and long departed celebrities are attending conventions, so why not put that technology to good use: on a hologram that lets the\xa0<em>real</em>\xa0Phil hibernate in peace,” says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA is urging\xa0the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to\xa0<em>chuck</em>\xa0its tired tradition of harassing a shy animal and give Gobbler’s Knob a\xa0<em>glow-up</em>\xa0with\xa0a phantom prognosticator.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001001s0guxqgk05@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The animal rights organization believes that Phil and is family is exploited for entertainment and that the groundhog doesn’t get to enjoy a life in the wild.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001101s0s3lcu6t0@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Groundhog Day is the biggest day of the year for the people of Punxsutawney and a large venue generator for the region.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001201s0co8u9u6o@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'This annual event began in 1886 and is a big tourist event for the town in Jefferson County with thousands of people visiting every year.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001301s0xl8muhf3@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'If Phil sees his shadow at Gobbler’s Knob, there will be an extra six weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, an early spring is predicted.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001401s04snzdjh6@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Punxsutawney is about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001501s0lniqlgsb@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>PETA’s letter to Dunkel follows.</strong>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001601s0n23iukcs@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'January 20, 2026', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001701s054yo0oc7@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Tom Dunkel', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001801s0rn0sccvo@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'President', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001901s0unxmwm35@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001a01s0ee5nlloo@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Dear Mr. Dunkel:', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001b01s0h0iyfp3m@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Here we are again! It’s People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 10.4 million members and supporters globally, including many thousands in Pennsylvania—with a new offer to give Groundhog Day a much-needed\xa0<em>glow-up</em>: Retire Phil to a reputable sanctuary with his family and we’ll provide a giant, state-of-the-art, 3-D projection hologram of a groundhog along with a vocal prognostication to light up the Gobbler’s Knob stage. This update would be sure to captivate crowds, and let’s face it: Phil looks better standing tall and composed in light beams than squirming in a handler’s hands in captivity.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001c01s0snhl2zxa@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'As we’ve pointed out before, it’s time to\xa0<em>chuck</em>\xa0this tired tradition.<br />Groundhogs are timid prey animals who, if they’re able to, actively avoid humans. They dislike human smells, fear loud noises, abhor gatherings, and prefer to stay in their burrows. Yet every year, this terrified little animal is subjected to loud announcers and noisy crowds and held up and waved around without any regard for his feelings, welfare, or instincts. We think Punxsutawney can do better than to brand itself with this one archaic event that exploits a wild animal. It’s unimaginative and ignores the obvious: Phil feels fear and discomfort just as humans do, and he’s not a willing participant in this annual spectacle. And with the hologram, the town could still make a buck out of Chuck.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001d01s0g4fi0oxh@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'A giant 3-D hologram would thrill crowds and\xa0<em>illuminate</em>\xa0the fact that compassion and innovation go hand in hand. Punxsutawney could at last show that genuinely caring for Phil means letting him\xa0hibernate, dig, burrow, smell fresh air, and simply live like the wild animal he is in a reputable sanctuary.\xa0We look forward to hearing from you.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001e01s0h7gemgjf@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Very truly yours,', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001f01s0pgr59xqr@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Ingrid Newkirk', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001g01s0d6m7zdat@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Founder', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkn096og001h01s05cjoju91@published'}], 'feedImg': {'data': {'alt': 'PETA 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