KASU announces scheduling
changes to be effective on July 1

June 27, 2005 -- In an effort to better serve its listeners, KASU, the public broadcasting service of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, is making several programming additions and schedule changes effective Friday, July 1, according to Bob Franklin, station manager.

KASU, which has operated since 1957, is heard at 91.9 on the FM radio dial.  The non-commercial station, which is a National Public Radio (NPR) member, reaches listeners in Northeast Arkansas, Southeast Missouri and West Tennessee.

New programs in the schedule will include NPR's "Fresh Air," at 6 p.m. each weeknight.  With almost four million listeners, this daily interview program is one of NPR's most popular features.  Host Terry Gross interviews authors, artists, historians, musicians and many others who are influential in arts and entertainment.

Another new program is "Marketplace," presenting timely business news and economic reports.  Marketplace, which has the largest audience for any business program on radio, cable or network television, will begin at 5:30 p.m. each weeknight.  This show will be familiar to many veteran listeners because KASU previously aired it a few years ago.

A third major addition to the schedule will be "Jazz with Bob Parlocha," each weeknight at 9.  Parlocha entertains listeners with brief conversation and a creative mix of selections from both the legends of jazz and today's young performers.

Some familiar programs will be moving to new times in the schedule.  Local and Regional News, with Greg Chance, will begin earlier, at 3:10 p.m., and expand to 20 minutes.

"All Things Considered," one of KASU listeners' favorite newsmagazines, moves up to 3:30 p.m.  The two-hour program will continue until 5:30.

"Performance Today," a two-hour program of music news, features, and concert recordings hosted by Fred Child, will move to 9 a.m., immediately following "Morning Edition."

Other additions to KASU's schedule will include the five-minute feature, "Writer's Almanac," presented by popular public radio personality Garrison Keillor at 3:05, and National Press Club luncheon coverage at noon on selected weekdays.

One favorite program will be getting a new name, but will continue with its "down to earth" financial advice and information.  Saturday morning's "Sound Money" will be renamed "Marketplace Money," reflecting the stronger connection between the former show and the Marketplace program that is returning to KASU.

Additional information about new and existing programming is available on KASU's web site, http://www.kasu.org.  Listener memberships in KASU are available by calling (870) 972-2200, or toll-free, 800-643-8269.

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