News Bites for Thursday, July 16…
VuHaus Group has added California State University-Northridge adult alternative “The SoCal Sound” KCSN (88.5) in Los Angeles as its newest affiliate, expanding the public media music network’s national reach. The station’s locally produced performance videos are now featured on the NPR Live Sessions website alongside content from other public media music outlets. Formed in 2014, VuHaus Group serves as public media’s national content and sales network for music stations, helping showcase emerging and established artists to broader audiences. “Joining VuHaus is an exciting milestone for The SoCal Sound,” Program Director Marc “Mookie” Kaczor said, noting the partnership will give the station’s music video content a wider audience while bringing Southern California’s music scene to public radio’s collaborative video platform.The National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation (NAFB) has awarded $47,500 in scholarships to six college students pursuing degrees in agricultural communications. The recipients will be recognized during the NAFB Foundation Celebration Luncheon at the 83rd NAFB Convention on Nov. 18 in Kansas City. Since its founding in 1977, the foundation has provided more than $1 million in scholarships and internship grants to support future farm broadcasters. “These scholarships… help invest in the next generation of farm broadcasters,” NAFB Foundation President Meghan Grebner said, noting the awards are made possible through support from members and corporate partners. The foundation also funds internship grants, continuing education, and marketing and research initiatives to strengthen the farm broadcasting profession.
New York Public Radio’s WNYC and the Gothamist newsroom will launch a five-part live community event series examining New York City’s affordability crisis, with each discussion recorded for later broadcast across WNYC-AM/FM (820/93.9). Titled “In Conversation: The Affordability Series,” the events will be held in each of the five boroughs between July and November, focusing on food access, housing, childcare, healthcare and transportation. The series opens July 21 in Brooklyn with a panel on rising food costs and SNAP benefits featuring WNYC reporters, community advocates, local business leaders and city officials. “It is our public service mission to provide listeners with rigorous, fact-based reporting about the issues impacting NY communities,” Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Clary said, adding the discussions are intended to foster understanding and inspire solutions to challenges affecting New Yorkers.Relevant Radio has expanded its digital audio offerings with the launch of a 24/7 contemporary Christian music channel available exclusively through its free mobile app. The new stream follows the debut of the network’s Sacred Music channel last year and features a mix of Christian and Catholic artists, including TobyMac, Lauren Daigle, MercyMe, Matt Maher and Sarah Kroger. At least 20% of the playlist is dedicated to Catholic performers, while listeners can also access Relevant Radio’s live talk programming with a tap inside the app. “I desire to provide an impactful platform for other Catholics to have a place they can turn to for wholesome, upbeat songs,” Music Director Jake Moore said, calling the new channel a ministry designed to strengthen faith through music.Baltimore Public Media news/talk WYPR (88.1) will expand its locally produced interview program “Pass the Mic” to a weekly, 30-minute show beginning in September, supported by a grant from the T. Rowe Price Foundation. Since relaunching in February, the program has showcased conversations with Baltimore artists, community leaders and civic innovators on topics including culture, public health, housing and equity. “Pass the Mic reflects what public media does best: creating space for meaningful conversations and connecting communities through storytelling,” Baltimore Public Media President and CEO Craig Swagler said. Airing Tuesdays at 7:30pm, the show is part of WYPR’s effort to amplify local voices while deepening its service to the Baltimore community.