Tri States Public Radio to operate student-run WVKC

Ahl

Illinois-based Tri States Public Radio has negotiated an agreement to operate Knox College’s student-run WVKC-FM as a full-time NPR station.

Broadcasting at 1000 watts from the college’s campus in Galesburg, Ill., WVKC already carries NPR’s Morning Edition under a programming agreement with Tri States, which is licensed to Western Illinois University in Macomb, about 50 miles southwest of the small college town. When the deal takes effect in mid-September, TSPR’s mixed-format NPR news and music programming will be broadcast on WVKC’s 90.7 FM around the clock.

Under the 20-year management contract announced this month, Knox College retains its license to WVKC. Student programming will be distributed as an Internet-only stream and HD Radio channel. Tri States is providing equipment and technical support to beef up the school’s capacity to deliver a high-quality audio stream.

“Galesburg is a great community, and it needs and deserves a strong public radio station that is active full-time,” said Jonathan Ahl, general manager, in a prepared statement.

The agreement also provides for student internships at WVKC and Tri States, which will open an office in Galesburg and hire two full-time staffers.

TSPR’s network of stations and translators now covers western Illinois and reaches into southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri.