Kansas Public Radio

Every day, the fine people at Kansas Public Radio, in partnership with National Public Radio, provide the best broadcasting that radio has to offer.

Kansas Public Radio comes from Broadcasting Hall on the KU campus in Lawrence.
Kansas Public Radio airs NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered and NPR’s hourly news updates.

People often tell me that they’ve heard one of my commentaries on NPR (as opposed to KPR, which actually records and produces my pieces.) Many folks don’t distinguish the difference between NPR and KPR, and that’s a bit disheartening to me because the KPR News Team should get the recognition that it deserves.

Just for Morning Edition, here’s an idea of the tremendous work (in quantity and quality) that is locally produced by the KPR News Department:

KPR’S MORNING EDITION

Weekdays during Morning Edition, KPR News Director J. Schafer reports regional and statewide news and area weather. You can hear his local newscasts shortly after 6, 7 and 8 a.m. When NPR takes breaks during the hour, J. provides background music and a weather report.

J. Schafer presents Kansas Trivia on Friday mornings at 8:58 a.m. Each week he comes up with a question about history or commerce, people or places, and a prize is awarded to a smart listener (or at least one with reasonable Google-ing skills.)

Every Monday, you’ll hear Bryan Thompson’s health report – Kansas Health: A Prescription for Change. Last Monday, Bryan gave us No Time for Complacency on Tuberculosis. TB has been in Emporia’s news following the death of a Tyson employee.

Reports come from KPR’s Statehouse Bureau Chief, Peter Hancock, who keeps us apprised of activity in the Kansas Legislature.

Greg Echlin covers sports. On Thursday, he described the first KU-North Carolina basketball face-off – 50 years ago – when Wilt Chamberlain played for the Jayhawks: ‘Hawks, Heels to Mark Showdown.

Local commentators include Eric Melin who reviews movies.

John Richard Schrock, ESU professor, covers topics involving science and education. Schrock’s recent commentary: Prairie Fire Season in the Flint Hills.

Tom Averill of Washburn University uses his husky voice to portray a character he calls William Jennings Bryan Oleander.

Another regular commentator is Rex Buchanan, of the Kansas Geological Survey. Buchanan often discusses such things as water levels and other issues involving the land.

And, once in awhile, even I am on the radio.

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In addition to reporting and hosting Morning Edition, J. Schafer is in charge of pulling all of this programming together. Local news stories and commentaries are recorded and produced by J. Schafer, Laura Lorson and Joseph DiNitto.

J. Schafer, KPR News Director and Morning Edition Host

Laura Lorson, producer and Host of All Things Considered

Joseph DiNitto, Reporter/Producer and occasional host of Morning Edition and All Things Considered

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Today, Kansas Public Radio began its Spring Membership Drive.

 

If you’re a KPR listener, I hope that you’ll call in a pledge during the next week to 1-888-577-5268.

You could even make a contribution online.

 

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KPR broadcasts at 89.7 FM in Emporia, 91.5 in Lawrence, 91.3 in Olsburg-Junction City-Manhattan.

Or, listen online.