Some programming changes are in the air everywhere for WEMC and sister public radio station WMRA.
WMRA, 90.7 FM, which also manages WEMC, 91.7 FM on behalf of EMU, will offer programs beginning Jan. 14 to supplement National Public Radio’s flagship news shows, “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” extending the NPR-style focus on news, issues and culture through the middle of the day.
WMRA will broadcast an hour of BBC News at 9 a.m. after Morning Edition. That will be followed by NPR’s “On Point,” “Fresh Air” and “Talk of the Nation,” along with American Public Media’s “The Story.” NPR’s All Things Considered airs from 4-6:30 p.m.
“Many listeners have been asking us for NPR’s ‘Fresh Air,’ ‘Talk of the Nation’ and other information programs,” says station manager Tom DuVal. “As events and problems touch us more closely, the need to understand the world better has become more pressing in many people’s lives. We believe the time has come for WMRA to participate more actively in fulfilling that need.”
WMRA’s local call-in program, “Virginia Insight,” will air Mondays at 3 p.m., with intelligent conversations about state and regional issues that affect the citizens and families of Virginia. Virginia Insight’s host Tom Graham will also team up with reporter Martha Woodroof to increase Virginia news coverage during Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Program schedules for both WMRA and WEMC are available online at www.wmra.org or can be requested by calling the stations at 1-800-677-9672. WMRA and WEMC both stream their programs live on the Internet; WEMC can be accessed at www.wemcradio.org.
Two public meetings are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 11, to give listeners a chance to meet with station management and learn more about the new programs – at 7:30-9 a.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center next to Charlottesville High School and 5-6:30 p.m. at the WMRA-WEMC studios at 983 Reservoir St. in Harrisonburg. Listeners may drop in any time during these hours.
If severe weather makes travel difficult, either or both meetings will be rescheduled. Listen to WMRA or WEMC starting at 5:30 a.m. Friday for cancellation notices or call 540-568-6221.
In the Charlottesville area, listeners may also call the King Performing Arts Center info line at 434-979-9532. If the Center closes, the meeting will be rescheduled.