KHSU Expands National Programming for the North Coast

Community and staff gathered outside of the KHSU studio after learning of Humboldt State University's decision.

In 2019, community and staff gathered outside of the KHSU studio after learning of Humboldt State University’s decision to lay off seven staff members and cancel most local programming. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

In a move that stunned the community, on April 11, 2019, the then Humboldt State University leadership locked out longtime staff and volunteers  from KHSU buildings. Its public radio station and local programming not only disappeared from the airwaves (replaced by the NSPR stream out of Chico) but from its archives online.

North Coast lawmakers denounced the surprising decision in a letter to the Chancellor of the California State University system. Senator Mike McGuire sent out a press release calling the move “a slap in the face to Humboldt State University students, employees and the community at large.”

Today, Cal Poly Humboldt announced that it is reinvigorating the station. They state that Monday through Friday they have added more news shows And, on the weekends, they will have NPR programming–“covering news, culture and storytelling.”

In addition, Phil Wilke, general manager at KHSU and NSPR, said in a press release (see below),  “We’ve added local features and increased the state-government reporting. We plan to continue adding local coverage and voices as we’re able.”

Press release from Cal Poly Humboldt:

On Monday, May 16, public radio listeners in the North Coast will hear a new lineup of shows that bolsters the news and cultural programming on KHSU. After more than two years of limited NPR programming repeated throughout the day, the updated schedule features 28 shows airing on weekdays and weekends.

The flagship NPR news magazines Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered remain a core part of the new weekday lineup. These shows will be supplemented by breaking news, feature stories and interviews with new additions that include:

  • BBC Newshour — international stories and voices;

  • Fresh Air with Terry Gross — contemporary arts and issues;

  • Science Friday — science, technology and other cool stuff;

  • Marketplace — public radio’s signature daily business show.

Weekend programming will also receive notable updates. Joining NPR’s news shows Weekend Edition and All Things Considered are other public radio staples, including:

  • This American Life — host Ira Glass describes it as “little movies on the radio”;

  • Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me — NPR’s news quiz that always makes you laugh;

  • The Moth Radio Hour — true stories told before a live audience;

  • TED Radio Hour — compilations of TED Talks centered on a common theme; and

  • Hidden Brain — an exploration of the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior.

“Programming has been limited for KHSU listeners during the past few years,” said Phil Wilke, general manager at KHSU and NSPR. “This update provides the North Coast with enhanced listening options for daily and breaking news, and it also opens the weekends to a wide range of great public radio shows that offer humor, storytelling, news, documentaries and even travel. I look forward to hearing from our listeners with their thoughts on the new schedule.

“We’ve added local features and increased the state-government reporting. We plan to continue adding local coverage and voices as we’re able. I look forward to hearing from our listeners with their thoughts on the new schedule.”

The updated programming will air on 90.5 FM Arcata-Eureka, 91.9 FM Crescent City, 89.9 FM Garberville, 99.9 FM Willow Creek, and 88.7 FM Ferndale. Radio Bilingüe will continue on 103.3 FM in Humboldt and Del Norte counties, and the 24-hour BBC programming will continue on 90.1 FM Ferndale and 107.7 FM Trinidad.

The new KHSU schedule can be viewed here. (khsu.org/khsu-radio-schedule)

If you’d like to leave a comment about the new schedule, please send an email to: [email protected].

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22 Comments
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steve
Guest
steve
1 year ago

Back when I used to listen to KHSU, there was local programs with local talent.

Don T MattaD
Member
Don T Matta
1 year ago
Reply to  steve

Exactly why I No Longer listen to them!!!

Mem
Guest
Mem
1 year ago

Yay…even more repetitive NPR feeds.

Justanotherperson
Guest
Justanotherperson
1 year ago

Sounds like Jefferson Public radio or any other station syndicating National Propaganda Radio. I mean the moth is cool sometimes, but KMUD is what’s on my FM dial

Susan Nolan
Guest
Susan Nolan
1 year ago

It’s about time.
Management clearly saw the station as a valuable asset, but has kept it in cold storage for two years, rotating between a handful of national shows and the BBC (which I can receive on as many as six frequencies now. Love the BBC, but maybe try something different?) Eventually they began inserting locally produced filler material which airs over and over and over. Does anyone responsible for the station even listen to it? I used to call JPR “Robo Radio”, but KHSU has taken over that title.
Sorry to be so negative, but the destruction of the old station will be long remembered. And they can quit telling me to donate my car “right now!” any time.

Corporate Serfdom
Guest
Corporate Serfdom
1 year ago

Do we really need more NATIONAL PROGRAMMING?

Gayle Maxfield
Guest
Gayle Maxfield
1 year ago

Big whoop! Blah blah blah, more of the same old same old! Sure miss the old LOCAL KHSU! A real loss to the community. How in the hell did they get away with destroying it? Too much free speech I guess😖.

Don T MattaD
Member
Don T Matta
1 year ago
Reply to  Gayle Maxfield

I can remember when they were still broadcasting with only a 100 watt Amp they called themselves the “Mighty Midget” & they even played Music most of the time at least after around 1 PM!!!

Just Saying
Guest
Just Saying
1 year ago

I’m a radio nut. Still miss the old KHSU every freaking day. What a disappointment the leaders at Humboldt State were were when they obliterated the best community radio station in Northern California. So much talent, so many wonderful vibes…. all gone. I still cannot believe college presidents make so much and are revered as great contributors to society. It’s such nonsense acting like they all helped the college so much when they are compensated over-generously and don’t even know anything about the culture or community of the schools and locales they get hired at. It’s like a new regime every few years with purges, changes for change sake, and funding pet projects. I don’t for one minute credit the college administration with becoming Cal Poly.

Radio Head
Guest
Radio Head
1 year ago

Every time they say, “From all of us at KHSU….” my blood boils. That is well crafted propaganda meant to fool us into thinking there is a ‘community of people’ working there. BULLSHIT! It’s a couple punks, led by a sly and cold ‘manager’, who think we will forget. NOPE!
Until they apologize and offer emeritus status to all the staff (and volunteers, some of whom spent decades working for FREE to inform and entertain us) who THEY FIRED, we shall JUST SAY NO!
NO DONATIONS – money, underwriting, old cars, etc!!
Stand strong. Give NOTHING …..but feedback.
Yeah. tell them what YOU think about the whole mess:
…..please send an email to: khsu-contact.edu and in other media, like (NCJ, etc) letters to the editor, etc.

Last edited 1 year ago
Don T MattaD
Member
Don T Matta
1 year ago
Reply to  Radio Head

I will NEVER forget the programing they USED to have as I said it was mostly Music after 1 PM!!!

Smoky OG again
Guest
Smoky OG again
1 year ago

KHSU is/was always a corporate conduit to the government propaganda of the moment a few local dj’s notwithstanding..
The public in Public radio and TV is the fucking federal government so cheer loudly for more war hysteria, more corporate shilling, more personal “narratives” that always deflect critical thought from underlying causes and disempower citizen action for real change by redirecting engagement to sympathy for unimportant victims of fascist corporate wars, ecocide, and theft of any chance for life in just a few short years all in the name of 3-5 percent returns on capital investment….fuck KHSU and NPR…
want real community radio?? It’s called KMUD around here…there’s your truly local neighbors and local programs and local news….no corporate BS on KMUD other than the controlled opposition to the fascist state in the form of Amy Goodman.
88.1 check it out

BabkaO'Riley
Guest
BabkaO'Riley
1 year ago
Reply to  Smoky OG again

A few local DJs? You don’t know much about the structure of the Station Formerly Known As KHSU. Two to four different hosts each night, as well as rotating hosts in the morning for classical, and afternoons for an eclectic mix. A daily news “magazine” M-F. A Community Calendar. Weather, traffic, and emergency updates. Special programs of local interest, including but certainly not limited to forums for local elections. An office of community members (including HSU graduates) and students who in turn, contributed to the local economy. Student and community volunteers for all the support systems needed to keep the station on the air. And an advisory board that was bald faced lied to by the former admin, and completely snubbed by the current one.
You can prefer KMUD all you want. But to deny the community heart and soul of KHSU shows you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Panthera Onca
Guest
Panthera Onca
1 year ago

The headline should read; “KHSU still wont allow any local programming.”

What!?D
Member
What!?
1 year ago

We’ve already moved on. KHSU and the institution that houses it will never again have my support.

Old SchoolD
Member
1 year ago

Not bad. I sure don’t miss the old station with it’s constant begging for money. Basically many forgot that HSU owned the station and were losing control of it.

ED Denson
Guest
ED Denson
1 year ago

I’m a big fan of NPR and often listen to it while driving long distances. However I am a programmer on KMUD with a talk show devoted entirely to local issues. The value of community radio is that it broadcasts for the locals things they can’t hear on the mainstream radio – speciality music shows, and when important, local news. When there’s a wildfire, landslide or wreck on the highway,a flood, or a local concert, lecture, or public meeting,you want reliable local detailed information. Live streaming of the Supervisor’s hearings of items of intense local issues. Like cannabis regulations. COVID regulations – you get the idea. KMUD is good with these. KHUM could be also but as an adjunct to NPR it will not be. Cal Poly seems to be acting as if it is a member of the National NPR loving community, which it will be. But it is not acting as a part of the community in which it is located, and where its many students will live for the years that they get educated here. KMUD can only do so much, friends, I think KHUM should do its part. How about you?

Last edited 1 year ago
Cat
Guest
Cat
1 year ago
Reply to  ED Denson

Ditto Ed. But you do mean KHSU. KHUM is our dearest freindliest commercial radio station and very locally focused

Eugene Denson
Guest
Eugene Denson
1 year ago
Reply to  ED Denson

Oops. Sometimes I think I overlook the obvious when checking my posts before posting. Yes I mean KHSU, and my apologies to KHUM for mixing them up. I suppose I attribute it to having written KHSU off so much that I think KHUM is the only radio station to the north of SoHum. KHUM send me your address and I’ll make a contribution of contrition.

BabkaO'Riley
Guest
BabkaO'Riley
1 year ago
Reply to  ED Denson

KHSU used to do nearly all the things you mentioned, and was looking to a future with multiple options to fill multiple needs.
Was writing KHUM an error, or do you think that commercial station needs to take on community responsibilities?

willow creeker
Member
1 year ago

Sounds better. Not great, but better. Bring back Gus Mozart and a few other local volunteers who made the radio station great (as unpaid volunteers) , and we are getting closer to a community radio station.