NONCOMMERCIAL STATION NEWS

PROTEST DELAYS KUNV’S PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION PLAN WITH NEVADA PUBLIC RADIO

The Las Vegas Review Journal reports that a protest by University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) students and community volunteers has caused UNLV to delay a decision on pending consolidation of KUNV-FM 91.5 FM with Nevada Public Radio (NVPR). See our previous story at [link].

At a meeting last Friday 12/4 of the Nevada Board of Regents about a dozen critics of the proposed plan complained calling it a “takeover” that will decrease student broadcasting hours on the station. The role of students at KUNV has been a hot-button issue in the past at UNLV.

UNLV President Len Jessup asked the board to reconsider the proposal at a future meeting. Jessup told the board the delay was necessary because of the concerns because "several other alternative suggestions" have emerged regarding the proposed plan.

Flo Rogers, president and general manager of Nevada Public Radio, said "Twenty intense months of evaluation" went into the agreement, arguing that the consolidation would bring financial stability to KUNV. Rogers also said "I think our proposal is strong. We're really optimistic we're going to be having more conversations. I think it's a really great path forward for KUNV, and if there are other alternatives, I'm sure the university will make the best decision."

WBEZ CONSIDERS BUYING WKCC-FM KANKAKEE

Chicago Public Media, owner of NPR News station WBEZ is exploring the idea of buying noncom WKCC 91.1, licensed to Kankakee, Illinois. Kankakee is located about 50 miles south of Chicago and is a growing exurban area.

Kanakee Community College has operated WKCC since 1992. The Community College will pull the plug on WKCC on December 18, 2015. The station features news programming from BBC News, classical music and locally-based volunteer shows. The Community College said it could no longer afford to operate the station and put the license up for sale for a reported $400,000.

According to a report in the Chicago Tribune Chicago Public Media is investigating the acquisition of WKCC. WBEZ says they will make a decision by the end of 2015. Religious broadcasters are also though to be considering purchase of the license. 

WKCC’s FCC coverage map shows why there is interest in 91.1 FM. The current facility puts a decent signal into the southern portion of the Chicago Metro. With a new tower site and other modifications 91.1 FM could reach even more of the market.








NEW TWIN CITIES NONCOM WEQY 104.7 FM SIGNS ON

LPFM station WEQY is now serving St. Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff and other east side neighborhoods via 104.7 FM and online at [link]. 

WEQY Station Manager Kathryn Harris is in the process of building the station’s schedule:
We are looking for programming that will be of interest to our growing immigrant populations as well as others who have made the East Side their home. If you have ideas or want to do your own show, we want to hear from you. We need DJs, talk show hosts and more. Shows can be live or prerecorded; you could create a playlist for a music show or suggest syndicated content.