It has been and continues to be a time of change with national programs heard on KUNR. Here is a comprehensive list of all the goings-on here at the station.
As announced last April, after more than 40 years with NPR, Robert Siegel leaves his role as host of All Things Considered (ATC), signing off on Friday, Jan. 5. His voice and signature reporting have been an essential part of NPR since he first arrived in Washington in 1976. Mary Louise Kelly will officially move into the ATC host chair Jan. 17. Additionally, Kelly McEvers will take on the Embedded podcast full-time, leaving her role as ATC host at the end of January. Hear Robert Siegel talk to Terry Gross about his time with NPR.
KUNR is in the process of selecting a replacement for Friday night’s Dinner Party Download, which ceases production in January. Stay tuned!
The Metropolitan Opera radio season—its 87th year—got underway on KNCJ in December, with live Saturday morning broadcasts every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. through May 5th. Listen in Reno-Sparks at 89.5 FM or everywhere at kunr.org and via the KUNR mobile app. This month: “Hansel and Gretel,” “Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci,” “Thais” and “Tosca.
And last but clearly not least: The biggest news since our last newsletter is the withdrawal pains many of you have experienced in the absence of Garrison Keillor’s Writer’s Almanac each weekday morning. Many also miss The Best of A Prairie Home Companion that KUNR continued to broadcast each Sunday even after Keillor retired from the show. This, of course, comes in the wake of American Public Media and Minnesota Public Radio parting ways with Keillor Nov. 29 following the companies’ month-long investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior.
While there have been requests for KUNR to continue airing the shows, the fact is that Keillor owns the rights to his work and has removed past and present content from distribution. General Manager David Stipech has spoken with and listened to many listeners in response to the variety of emails and calls received on this topic, and your perspectives are always welcome at feedback@kunr.org. This is a difficult matter in a difficult and important time, so we thank you for your insights and understanding. We understand emotions are running high on many issues of our day, and public media not is immune from being impacted. KUNR respects our listeners’ views while emphasizing how critical it is to continue financial support of your local public radio station, Reno Public Radio. David will speak more to this issue in the February edition of this newsletter.
