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St. Louis Public Radio Press Releases

 

St. Louis on the Air to be Broadcast Live From the Missouri History Museum's Lee Auditorium

17 February 2010—St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU will air a live, remote broadcast of St. Louis on the Air on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. from the Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium.  The hour-long program, "Growing up Black in St. Louis...Past, Present and Future," will feature three life-long St. Louisans discussing the racial climate in the region as it was, as it is now and as they hope it will be in the future. 

Don Marsh, host of St. Louis on the Air, will be joined by writer and educator Mariah Richardson, veteran journalist Donn Johnson and community activist Percy Green.  Seats to the live broadcast are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.  Those interested in attending are encouraged to arrive and be seated by
10:45 a.m.

 

St. Louis Public Radio Names Science Reporter

15 February 2010—St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU is pleased to announce that Véronique LaCapra has been named the station’s science reporter.  LaCapra comes to St. Louis Public Radio from Arlington, Virginia where she spent nine years with the Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide regulator.  Since 2007 she has also worked as a freelance science reporter/producer for the Washington, D.C. based Voice of America.

LaCapra is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara where she received a Ph.D. in ecosystem ecology and Cornell University where she received a B.A. in biology.  Her career includes time spent as a researcher and teaching assistant at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a volunteer for an HIV/AIDS relief organization in Cape Town, South Africa.

 

St. Louis Public Radio to Air The Environment Report's Documentary on Coal

11 January 2010—St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU will air The Environment Report’s special “Coal:  Dirty Past, Hazy Future” Saturday, February 6 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Monday, February 8 from 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Former St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU News Director, Lester Graham, is the host and producer of the hour-long documentary.  

The coal and power industries want you to know about “clean coal,” but environmentalists say there’s no such thing.  This documentary will dig into those claims, and take listeners on a journey from their light switch back to America’s coal fields.  The documentary starts at Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Lab; visits a coal-burning power generating station; goes down into a coal mine in downstate Illinois; travels to the rural counties of West Virginia where mountaintop mining is pulling on the state’s social fabric; and takes a closer look at the technologies that promise to deliver coal into the new green economy.  The Environment Report’s documentary explores the effects of coal in our lives and in the lives of those who depend on coal for a living.

 

St. Louis Public Radio Names Major Donor Manager

11 January 2010—St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Bewley has been named the station’s major donor manager.

Bewley comes to St. Louis Public Radio from the Kentucky Opera, where he served as the organization’s manager of individual gifts.  He is a graduate of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he received his MA in Public Administration.  Bewley earned his BA in Art History from Webster University.  His professional background also includes development positions with Saint Louis University, the Saint Louis Zoo and the St. Louis effort for AIDS.

 

NPR's PLANET MONEY Takes the Stage November 19 at the Grandel Theatre

4 November 2009—St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU presents Planet Money Live Thursday, November 19, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Grandel Theatre. Tickets are $20 ($15 for St. Louis Public Radio members) and are available by contacting Amy Novy at (314) 516-7482. Proceeds from the ticket sales benefit St. Louis Public Radio.

Planet Money, a collaborative project of NPR and This American Life, provides news and in-depth information about the global economy through radio reports, blog posts and podcasts.  Led by Adam Davidson, NPR's international business and economic correspondent, and Alex Blumberg, a producer with Chicago Public Radio's This American Life, Planet Money uses story-telling, personal narrative and humor to help make sense of complex financial issues!

Visit Planet Money at: www.npr.org/blogs/money

The idea for Planet Money came out of NPR's collaboration with This American Life on the award-winning, hour-long radio documentary “The Giant Pool of Money.” The documentary received broadcasting's most prestigious honors – The Columbia-DuPont and the Peabody Awards.  A shorter companion piece ran on NPR's All Things Considered.

Listen to "The Giant Pool of Money."

 

St. Louis Public Radio's Fall Membership Campaign Yields a Record 3,662 Pledges Totaling a Record $474,050

23 October 2009—St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU's Fall Membership Campaign concluded today raising a record $474,050 from a record 3,662 pledges. That's an increase of 24 percent from the previous year. Of the total pledges, 1,358 were from first-time contributors.  The campaign, which began on October 15, is now one of only two annual, on-air membership campaigns held by the station.  St. Louis Public Radio has eliminated its on-air campaign in February.

"Once again, public radio listeners in the greater St. Louis community have stepped up in support of the station," said General Manager Tim Eby. "We told listeners that we wanted to eliminate one of our on-air membership campaigns to avoid interrupting programming three times a year.  To make this goal a reality, we needed more listeners than ever before to pledge their support, and they did.  Everyone at St. Louis Public Radio greatly appreciates their generosity!"

Proceeds from all membership campaigns at St. Louis Public Radio allow the station to purchase syndicated NPR and other public radio programs, as well as fund local news production and general station operations. 

 

KWMU to Become St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU

9 September 2009—90.7 KWMU will officially become St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU beginning Thursday, September 10, 2009.  The change is the result of a branding campaign designed to more accurately reflect the station’s mission and place in the St. Louis region.

St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU provides the St. Louis region award-winning, in-depth news, insightful discussion, and entertaining programs that focus on the issues and people who shape our community, our country and our world. Signature programs include: Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, This American Life, Marketplace, Car Talk, St. Louis on the Air, BBC World Service, The Tavis Smiley Show, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! and A Prairie Home Companion.

“In addition to our new look and new sound, St. Louis Public Radio will begin reaching out to the St. Louis community in new and different ways,” said General Manager Tim Eby, “and, of course, we will continue providing listeners with award-winning local news, thoughtful discussion and a diversity of voices from the best public radio programs in the country.”

St. Louis Public Radio, which broadcasts in HD on 90.7 and 90.7-2, reaches more than 2.4 million people in the bi-state area with its 100,000 watt signal.  St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU is a member-supported service of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

 

KWMU Finishes the Fiscal Year With Increases in Listenership and Community Support

17 July 2009—90.7 KWMU finished fiscal year 2009 (July 1 – June 30) with increases in listenership, membership and corporate sponsorship, resulting in an 8 percent budget surplus.  Additionally, the station increased its programming schedule, forged impactful community partnerships and received national recognition for reporting.

“It is a real testament to the unwavering support of public radio listeners in the St. Louis community,” said General Manager Tim Eby, “for the station to exceed financial and membership goals during these difficult economic times.  There are many great things happening at KWMU, and we hope to keep the momentum going as we move forward.”

Here are the some other station highlights from fiscal year 2009:

Listenership

Fall audience numbers reached their highest level ever with a weekly listening audience of 196,900, according to Arbitron’s fall 2008 survey (for Metro Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6:00 a.m. - midnight).  The station’s metro share, or percentage of the St. Louis radio listening audience, climbed to 3.9, the highest in the station’s 36-year history.  The number of people listening to KWMU during any average 15-minute period (AQH) is 12,200, also the highest mark ever for KWMU.  Spring audience numbers reached a 3.7 percent market share according to Arbitron’s spring 2008 survey (Monday-Sunday, 6:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.).  The 2008 ratings tie the spring 2007 ratings for the highest in the station’s 36-year history.

Membership

KWMU’s fall membership drive raised a record $382,885 from a record 2,879 pledges.  New memberships were up 65 percent over fall 2007 marking the highest increase in the station’s 36-year history.  The station’s February Love Drive received a record 2,067 pledges, totaling more than $231,000, during the station’s February 9-12 For the Love of KWMU membership campaign.  Pledges were up 13 percent over the February 2008 membership campaign.  The spring membership campaign raised a record $248,000 from a record 2,200 listeners.  The drive generated increases across the board with total dollars raised up 34 percent, number of gifts up 69 percent and first-time membership up 92 percent over spring of 2008.   

Corporate Sponsorship

In FY09 corporate sponsorship sales totaled $1.3 million, up 26 percent from FY08.  New business increased 14 percent from the previous year.

Programming

In September of 2008, KWMU expanded programming by offering KWMU-2 for listeners who have HD radios and/or the internet.  The second channel features a mix of news, talk, cultural and music programming and includes the return of Bob Edwards and Tavis Smiley to the St. Louis air waves.

Community Partnerships

KWMU joined forces with KETC in the spring of 2009 to further promote “Facing the Mortgage Crisis,” a program that assists people facing financial difficulties in getting the professional help needed.   In June, KWMU partnered with the Regional Arts Commission and the River City Professionals for the first-ever arts Tweet-up in St. Louis. 

Professional Recognition

Reporter Adam Allington received a 2009 National Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio and Television News Directors Association. Allington was recognized in the News Series category for his three-part series entitled “Gangs of North St. Louis.” 

 

 

KWMU to Carry Sotomayor Hearings

9 July 2009—90.7 KWMUwill carry the live audio of the Sonia Sotomayor hearings beginning at 9:00 a.m. Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16 on KWMU-2.  Streaming audio is available as well at kwmu.org.  Additionally, Talk of the Nation will air special coverage on the hearings from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. with host by Neal Conan. 

 

KWMU's Adam Allington Receives National Edward R. Murrow Award

29 June 2009—90.7 KWMU reporter Adam Allington is the recipient of a 2009 National Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio and Television News Directors Association. Allington was recognized in the News Series category for his three-part series entitled “Gangs of North St. Louis.”  Allington will receive his award at a Radio and Television News Directors Association dinner this October in New York.

In April Allington received two Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, one in the Feature Reporting category for his story “Old School Wrestling,” and the other in the News Series category for “Gangs of North St. Louis.”  This marks the station’s first national Murrow Award since 1996.

“This award is a testament to Adam’s excellence as a reporter,” said KWMU General Manager Tim Eby.  “Like all of the reporters at KWMU, Adam works very hard to present listeners with meaningful stories that have an impact on our community.  He is truly deserving of this special recognition.”

>> Find out more about Allington’s award-wining series

 

 

KWMU Announces Programming Changes

18 June 2009—90.7 KWMU will be making the following programming changes effective Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5:

Saturday Programming Changes effective 7/4/09

 

Sunday Programming Changes effective 7/5/09

 

 

KWMU's Adam Allington Honored at the 2009 Missouri Broadcast Association Awards

9 June 2009—90.7 KWMU news producer Adam Allington received a Certificate of Merit from the Missouri Broadcasters Association in the Feature Reporting category for his story “St. Louis Speculation Bubble.”  The Missouri Broadcasters Association awards were presented Saturday, June 6 at the Lake of the Ozarks.  

>> Listen to Allington’s story
 

 

KWMU to Take Part in an Arts Tweet Up

8 June 2009—90.7 KWMU, the Regional Arts Commission, the River City Professionals and the Moonrise Hotel will gather their Twitter audiences together on June 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the first-ever Arts Tweet Up held in St. Louis. Participants will meet at the Regional Arts Commission for an art opening, dedication ceremony and talk by Bill Streeter, of the video blog Lo-Fi St. Louis, on how the social networking web site Twitter can facilitate collaboration and communication in the arts community.

The event will feature paintings, collages, works on paper and an installation. Participants will interact with each other and the art work by “tweeting” their answers to questions related to several of the works of art. These “tweets” will then be displayed for everyone in attendance to view.

An after party will be held at Eclipse in the new Moonrise Hotel following the exhibit and Tweet Up.

Follow KWMU on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KWMU    

 

KWMU Hits New Audience Milestones

30 April 2009—90.7 KWMU reached an all-time high AQH share of 4.1 (number of people listening during any average 15-minute period), according to Arbitron’s Winter 2009 survey (for Metro Persons 12+, Monday – Sunday, 6:00 a.m. – midnight.)  The station’s previous high in this category was 3.9 in the fall of 2008.  The AQH audience of 11,900 is the highest ever winter AQH and the second highest AQH in the station’s 36-year history, second only to 12,200 in the fall of 2008.

KWMU’s Metro Cume also increased 15% from 150,200 in the winter of 2008 to 173,400 in the winter of 2009.  The number of African American listeners also increased from 10% to 15% according to the Arbitron’s Winter 2009 survey.

“We are very pleased with the increase in the number of people listening to KWMU,” said General Manager Tim Eby, “and we will continue working hard to become a trusted source of news and information for even more people in the St. Louis community in the months and years to come.”

 

 

KWMU Announces Special Coverage of President Obama's Historic "100 Days" Press Conference and The Diane Rehm Show's "Mortgage Crisis Special"

27 April 2009—90.7 KWMU will air live, anchored coverage of President Barack Obama’s “100 days” press conference on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. The conference, held at Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri, will be anchored by NPR’s Robert Siegel.

The President’s conference will be preceded by The Diane Rehm Show’s “Mortgage Crisis Special.”  This live program will feature financial advisors and housing experts, offering answers and advice to listener questions about the current housing crisis.  This call-in special will be broadcast from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Both specials will air in place of KWMU’s regularly-scheduled Marketplace, All Things Considered and Tell Me More.

 

KWMU's Spring Membership Campaign Blossoms: Drive Exceeds Goal With Record Number of Pledges

26 April 2009—90.7 KWMU's Spring Membership Campaign concluded Friday, April 24, raising a record $248,000 from a record 2,200 listeners.  The drive generated increases across the board with total dollars raised up 34%, number of gifts up 69% and first-time membership up 92% over Spring of 2008.   

“More than ever before people are tuning into KWMU for news and information,” said General Manager Tim Eby, “and this increase in audience is translating into a significant increase in the number of new members for the station.  Everyone at KWMU appreciates the generosity of so many during such uncertain economic times.  Public radio in St. Louis is in good hands because of the public support given this past week and throughout our station’s 36 year history.”

Proceeds from all membership drives at KWMU allow the station to purchase NPR and other public radio programs, as well as fund local news production.

 

KWMU Reporters Receive Edward R. Murrow Awards

10 April 2009—90.7 KWMU news producer, Adam Allington, and science reporter, Catherine Wolf, are recipients of 2009 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio and Television News Directors Association.  The awards recognize excellence in radio production for large market stations in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

Allington received two awards, one in the Feature Reporting category for his story “Old School Wrestling,” the other in the News Series category for his three-part series “Gangs of North St. Louis.”  Wolf earned recognition in the News Series category for her four-part series “Living Green in Mid Missouri.”  Wolf produced this series while working as a news producer for KBIA-FM in Columbia, Missouri.

 

KWMU Announces Programming Changes, March 2009

4 March 2009—90.7 KWMU will be making the following programming changes:

 

KWMU's February Membership Campaign Ends Early and Receives a Record Number of Pledges

13 February 2009—90.7 KWMU received a record 2,067 pledges, totaling more than $231,000, during the station’s February 9-12 For the Love of KWMU membership campaign.  Pledges were up 13% over the February 2008 membership campaign.

“This year we shortened the membership drive by two and a half days,” said KWMU General Manager Tim Eby, “and our listeners really responded to this abbreviated schedule. It says something about public radio listeners for the station to reach its campaign goal in fewer days than previous years and during such challenging economic times.  Everyone at KWMU really appreciates the generosity of our members.”

Listeners who pledged during For the Love of KWMU could select a special “thank you” gift to send to a Valentine including chocolate from Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company, roses from the St. Louis Florist Network, custom designed jewelry and neckties from Diane Katzman and bed & breakfast and dinner gift certificates. B&B and dinner certificates were from Boone’s Lick Trail Inn, Cedarcrest Manor, Corner George Inn, Dreamland Palace German Restaurant, Gallagher’s Restaurant, Dr. Hertich’s House, The Eagle’s Nest & Bistro, Harpole’s Hartland Lodge, His Rest, Inn Ste. Gemme Beauvais, Main Street Inn, Market Street Inn, Napoleon’s Retreat, Oakridge Manor, Rackheath House Inn, Ruebel Hotel and YMCA Trout Lodge & Camp Lakewood.

Proceeds from all pledge drives at KWMU allow the station to purchase syndicated NPR and other public radio programs, fund local programming and fund general station operations. 

 

University of Missouri President Gary Forsee to Guest on KWMU's St. Louis on the Air

10 February 2009—90.7 KWMU's Don Marsh will interview University of Missouri President Gary Forsee on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. during St. Louis on the Air. The program, which will focus on the state of the University of Missouri system, will also air on KBIA in Columbia, Missouri.

 

90.7 to Air Live Coverage of President Barack Obama's Economic Stimulus Plan Press Conference

6 February 2009—90.7 KWMU will air live coverage of President Barack Obama’s press conference outlining his economic stimulus plan on Monday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m.  NPR’s Melissa Block will host the coverage.  Block will be joined in studio by White House Correspondent, Don Gonyea, and Economics Correspondent, John Ydstie.   

 

90.7 KWMU-FM Names Wolf Science Reporter

28 January 2009—90.7 KWMU is pleased to announce Catherine Wolf has been named Science Reporter.  Wolf comes to KWMU from KBIA in Columbia, Missouri, where she served as a producer and reporter.     

Wolf is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago (2005), where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, and the University of Missouri (2008) where she earned a Master of Arts in Journalism.  Previously, Wolf served as a public relations specialist for Evanston Northwestern Healthcare and a writer/editor for Echo magazine while earning her undergraduate degree. 

The science reporter position is part of KWMU’s Focus on Science Initiative, funded by grants from the Monsanto Fund. 

 

90.7 KWMU-FM Announces Programming Changes

28 January 2009—90.7 KWMU will be making the following programming changes:

 

 

90.7 KWMU-FM and KWMU-2 to Air Live Coverage of Governor Nixon's State of the State Address

January 27, 2009—90.7 KWMU-FM will air live coverage of Governor Jay Nixon’s State of the State address on Tuesday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m.  KWMU News Director Bill Raack will host in studio, with KWMU State House Correspondent Marshall Griffin reporting from the capitol in Jefferson City.  The Governor’s address and the Republican response will be available online immediately following the broadcast. 

 

90.7 KWMU-FM Hits Highest Audience Ratings in the Station's History

January 22, 2009—90.7 KWMU’s ratings reached their highest level ever with a weekly listening audience of 196,900, according to Arbitron’s Fall 2008 survey (for Metro Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6:00 a.m. - midnight.)  The station’s metro share, or percentage of the St. Louis radio listening audience, climbed to 3.9, the highest in the station’s 36-year history.  The number of people listening to KWMU during any average 15-minute period (AQH) is 12,200, also the highest mark ever for KWMU. 

Additionally, A Prairie Home Companion, which airs on KWMU on Saturdays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.,was the most listened to program in the market for that specific time period.

“It is truly a privilege to be joining a station that has so many loyal listeners,” said Tim Eby, KWMU’s new general manager.  “These numbers reflect St. Louis’ continued, and growing, passion for public radio, and it is our desire as a station to continue providing listeners with in-depth news and the highest quality programming possible.”

 

90.7 KWMU-FM and KWMU-2 to Air Election Day Coverage and a Special America Abroad

January 16, 2009—90.7 KWMU will air live coverage of Barack Obama’s inauguration on Tuesday, November 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by an inauguration call-in show hosted by NPR’s Neal Conan from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Additionally, KWMU-2 will air the BBC’s live coverage of the inauguration from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Following the BBC coverage, KWMU-2 will air a special America Abroad “Power Shift - The Debate over American Decline, ” hosted by Ray Suarez and Deb Amos. The program will explore the political power shifts of the 20th century, as Elizabeth Arnold travels to Brazil to explore China’s growing involvement in Latin America and the state of American influence in the region.

Coverage is also available for streaming at www.kwmu.org.

 

90.7 KWMU-FM to Air Live Coverage of Barack Obama's Inaugural Celebration From the Lincoln Memorial

January 16, 2009 —90.7 KWMU will air will air “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at The Lincoln Memorial” on Sunday, January 18 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. This live event, which serves as the kick-off to President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, includes performances by Bono, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Usher, Shakira, will.i.am, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Renee Fleming, and many more.

In addition to the musical performances, the event will feature historical readings from Hollywood celebrities and other notable Americans including Denzel Washington, Queen Latifah and Martin Luther King, III. President-elect Barack Obama, his family and Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family will attend the celebration along with an estimated audience of 750,000.

 

 

90.7 KWMU-FM to Air Live Coverage of President Bush's Final Address to the Nation

January 13, 2009—90.7 KWMU will air live, anchored coverage of President George W. Bush’s final address to the nation Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m. NPR’s Melissa Block will host this news special. Ron Elving, NPR's Senior Washington Editor, will join her in the studio.

 

 

90.7 KWMU-FM to Air Live Coverage of the U.S. Senate Committee Hearings on Clinton, Holder, and Geithner

December 9, 2008—90.7 KWMU-2 and KWMU.org will air live, anchored coverage of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the nomination of Hillary Clinton to be U.S. Secretary of State on Tuesday, January 13 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and live, anchored coverage of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Eric Holder to be U.S. Attorney General and the Senate Finance Committee hearing on the nomination of Timothy Geithner to be U.S. Secretary of the Treasury on Thursday, January 15 at 8:30 a.m.

NPR’s Debbie Elliott will host both days of our gavel-to-gavel coverage and will be joined by correspondent David Greene for the Clinton confirmation hearing. Nina Totenberg, NPR’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, and one of NPR’s economic correspondents will join Elliott for the Geithner and Holder hearings.

 

Tim Eby Is Named KWMU's New General Manager

Tim EbyDecember 8, 2008—90.7 KWMU-FM is pleased to announce that forty-eight-year-old Tim Eby has been named the new general manager of the radio station. Eby, who currently manages WOSU Public Media in Columbus, Ohio, brings more than 20 years of public radio experience to St. Louis. Eby will assume his new duties January 20, 2009.

"I am very excited about coming to KWMU and working with such a talented staff," said Eby. "There is so much happening at the station with the planned move and a new building. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help it become a reality."

Eby, an Indiana native, has been at WOSU in Columbus since 2004. Prior to his work in Columbus, he worked at WVPE (88.1 FM) public radio in Elkhart, Indiana.

Eby was named to NPR’s board of directors in 2002 and served as its chair from 2004 through November 2008. He is an active leader and member of several other professional organizations including Public Radio in Mid-America and is a trustee of the NPR Foundation.