Tech
How a radio reporter let go of his gear envy and guerrilla electronic hacks
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Reflections on a career that started with a “poor man’s Nagra” and a nutcracker.
Programs/Content
Friendships forged on TV cooking sets keep ‘Sara’s Weeknight Meals’ on the air
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An expert chef with charisma, a producer who knows how to “corral cats” and an indefatigable marketing pro keep showing TV viewers how to cook and enjoy delicious food.
People
Aileen Alfandary, tenacious ‘force multiplier’ for journalism, retires
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As co-director of news at Pacifica’s KPFA, Alfandary has endured “utter chaos” at the station while training generations of reporters.
Programs/Content
WBGO adds jazz gems to public broadcasting archive
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In the process of preserving the station’s musical legacy, retired jazz producer Becca Pulliam is rediscovering her own body of work.
Programs/Content
Firesign Theater’s Phil Proctor returns to radio on Pacifica’s KPFK
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More than 50 years after “the Beatles of comedy” debuted on the Los Angeles station, Proctor is taking his podcast on the air.
Obituaries
Larry Josephson, pioneering producer and freeform host, dies at 83
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“He was the original politically incorrect guy on the radio, and that’s why I loved him,” said former WBAI producer Caryl Ratner during a tribute to Josephson that aired Thursday.
People
Documentary ‘ode’ to Steve Post’s many talents leaves out key verses
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“Playing in the FM Band: The Steve Post Story,” a feature-length documentary about a pioneer of freeform radio, zooms in on some odd stuff.
Obituaries
Neal Conan, journalist who covered wars and anchored live broadcasts for NPR, dies at 71
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“Neal did every job you could do in radio,” said Robert Siegel, former “All Things Considered” host, of his longtime colleague. “He was terrifically gifted at everything.”
Programs/Content
Radio Diaries, ‘Radiolab’ team up to produce their own documentaries on Black Swan Records
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After learning they were separately pursuing stories on the pioneering label and its founder, producers Joe Richman and Jad Abumrad decided to share tape and research.
Obituaries
Bob Fass, ringleader of long-running countercultural Pacifica show, dies at 87
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Fass’ “Radio Unnameable” served as a switchboard for social movements of the ’60s and featured musical guests that included Joni Mitchell, Taj Mahal and Bob Dylan.
Tech
How at-home pandemic recordings are changing pubmedia’s standards for audio quality
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Reporters and producers have more options for safely recording interviews, but not everyone welcomes the trade-offs in sonic fidelity.
People
He drove them crazy, but reporters will miss ‘unstoppable’ NPR arts editor Tom Cole
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Retiring this week after 33 years at the network, Cole tested journalists’ patience but stood out as a devoted advocate for their work.
Programs/Content
NPR story on ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ namesake inspires listeners to give back on Thanksgiving
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A crowdfunding campaign benefiting Alice Brock, who needed help with living expenses, raised more than $125,000 in 24 hours.
System/Policy
Solar panels in parking lot power studios of Maine’s WERU-FM
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The community radio station in East Orland has entered into a power-purchase agreement to convert to sustainable energy.
System/Policy
Staff and volunteers at Twin Cities community station protect studios, valuable archive amid protests
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Though no one knew exactly what a “block watch” was, “we knew it would be necessary.”
Programs/Content
Podcast gathers far-flung stories of people living through the pandemic
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The producer of “Our Show” has sifted through almost 400 phone recordings her correspondents have sent her.
People
Post-‘Radiolab,’ Robert Krulwich plans many more experiments with storytelling
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The master of entertaining listeners while explaining complex topics is working with a “new mafia” of media creators.
Obituaries
Cokie Roberts, a ‘founding mother’ who helped define NPR’s political coverage, dies at 75
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“I don’t know how they’re going to find a church big enough to hold the mourners,” said Nina Totenberg, her friend and colleague.
Programs/Content
Minnesota’s community radio stations find unique niche for covering arts and culture
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Backing from a special tax-supported fund has allowed volunteer-powered stations to enhance their local programming.
People
Radio pioneer Larry Josephson turns to creative community for support
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“I have to ask my friends for help so I can keep on working and … producing,” says the man known as the “sage of independent producers.”