By Jenni Todd
Murray, KY – Murray, KY- 91.3 WKMS-FM, Murray State's listener-supported public radio service and NPR affiliate, is increasing its news service to the region. Beginning Monday, July 13, WKMS weekdays are all news and information through 7 p.m.
"This new line-up has been in discussion since the events of 9-11" says WKMS Program Director Mark Welch, "when many new listeners discovered that National Public Radio News and WKMS deliver comprehensive international, national, regional and local news."
Monday through Friday mornings starting July 13th, The Diane Rehm Show airs at 9 a.m. and Fresh Air with Terry Gross follows at 11 a.m., offering the WKMS audience two of the most respected news/discussion programs on public radio. Fresh Air is one of the top five most-listened to public radio programs across the nation. Newsweek describes The Diane Rehm Show as one of the most interesting talk shows in the country.
There's a new Monday through Friday noon hour lineup as well. On Mondays at noon WKMS features national and regional documentary specials including American Radio Works and for several weeks Radiolab, an exciting program where science meets culture and information sounds like music, co-hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich.
Tuesdays at noon WKMS offers another chance to hear The Splendid Table, a culinary, culture, and lifestyle program hosted by syndicated columnist Lynne Rosetto Kasper also heard Sundays at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at noon WKMS presents a second broadcast of Speaking of Faith, public radio's conversation about religion, meaning, ethics, and ideas moderated by Krista Tippett, which also airs Sundays at 6 a.m..
Thursdays at noon WKMS debuts an outstanding arts program, Studio 360 (like Radiolab a production of WNYC-FM, New York). It is a smart and accessible guide to what is happening in pop culture and the arts. Each week, host Kurt Andersen speaks with people who are creating and shaping our culture.
WKMS News' The Front Page, anchors Noon on Friday with a refreshing scan of social, economic, and cultural issues in the WKMS coverage area, including nearly 30 counties in far western Kentucky, southernmost Illinois and northwest Tennessee.
WKMS is bidding farewell to Radio Reader with Dick Estell and extending NPR's All Things Considered to 7 p.m. including Marketplace from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and Marco Werman's daily Global Hit feature from PRI's The World. The Eisenhower Hour yields its Friday broadcast to Fresh Air, but continues Sundays at 6 p.m. with a whole new series starting this fall.
"Since our listeners have told us they want more classical music and more National Public Radio information programs, we discovered our most efficient route to accomplish this is to move all classical programming to the new WKMS HD-2 signal," says Station Manager Kate Lochte. "On WKMS HD-2 there's classical music 24 hours a day in wonderful digital audio's pristine sound." The WKMS HD-2 schedule includes Classical Music with Jeff Esworthy, Sunday Baroque, and From the Top. Future plans for this channel include showcasing concerts of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra and other regional performances. WKMS HD-2 is heard on HD radios, online at www.wkms.org, and with iPhone applications. For more information about HD radios or listening online please see www.wkms.org.
WKMS broadcasts at 91.3 FM with 100,000 watts, on WKMS HD-1 and HD-2, with translators 92.1 FM, Paducah, 105.1 FM Madisonville and 99.5 FM Paris, Tennessee, also offering both its programming streams at www.wkms.org. The station is funded by contributions from listeners and underwriters, by grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by Murray State University. Contributions may be made online at www.wkms.org or mailed to WKMS, 2018 University Station, Murray, KY 42071. For more information, or to become a member of WKMS and receive station communications, call 800-599-4737 or visit wkms.org.