90.5 WESA is excited to announce some upcoming programming changes and special broadcasts:
Hear more Here & Now starting July 1
We will be offering a second hour of Here & Now (1 p.m.-3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays), which is now co-produced by NPR and WBUR Boston. Robin Young remains but will be joined by Marketplace's Jeremy Hobson. More here: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/03/29/here-and-now-expands-talk-nation-end
Fourth of July
In lieu of Essential Pittsburgh programming on July 4-5, we are excited to offer the much-requested Capitol Steps 4th of July extravaganza at noon and 8 p.m.
July 5
At noon and 8 p.m. we'll offer "BURN: An Energy Journal – The Switch," examining the state of America's electric power grid and the science needed to modernize it. Smart grids? What are the challenges involved in linking new sources of energy, such as wind and solar, to the grid? More: http://burnanenergyjournal.com/
Tuesdays during Morning Edition
On Tuesdays starting July 2 at 9:35 a.m., we will be featuring the incredible mini-program 99% Invisible, a radio show about design, architecture and the 99 percent invisible activity that shapes our world. From producer Roman Mars and KALW in San Francisco, in August 2012, 99% Invisible became the highest-funded journalism project in Kickstarter history, raising over $170,000 from 5,661 backers. With over 10 million downloads online, 99% Invisible continues to build a following. The first airing of it will be Saturdays in place of the NPR newscast at 3:01 p.m. into Studio 360 and then on Tuesday mornings on Morning Edition.
Wits Comes to WESA
We will be piloting this Minneapolis-based variety show Fridays at 8 p.m. in place of the Essential Pittsburgh repeat from July 19 to August 9. Wits is a live public radio show that brings world-class comedians, actors and musicians to the stage of the Fitzgerald Theater, where host John Moe gives them and the audience the time of their lives. Wits mixes improv, sketch comedy, conversation, music and genuine beauty in a program praised as “one of the rare public radio comedy shows that’s actually funny” (Huffington Post) and “a wildly successful radio show.” (City Pages, Minneapolis). Let us know what you think of it! More: http://www.witsradio.org
What happened to Talk of the Nation? Why isn't it on?
Earlier this year, NPR announced that it will end production of Talk of the Nation as of June 27. This is a decision that NPR in Washington, DC, has made. Our station did not make this decision.
Since the time of that announcement, 90.5 WESA has been looking at other programming options and thinking carefully about what to put on in place of Talk of the Nation.
We are excited to present the expanded Here & Now. It is a smart, well-produced news program that will deliver compelling news and cultural coverage during the middle of the day. You’ll hear from hosts Robyn Young and Jeremy Hobson – two skilled journalists who will bring you breaking and in-depth news content and cultural coverage from NPR Member Station reporters across the country and contributions from NPR reporters and bloggers.
While we’re excited about what this new program can bring to our community, we are also very thankful to Neal Conan and all those in our audience who have made TOTN a part of their listening day.
After 35 years at NPR, and 11 years at the helm of Talk of the Nation, Neal Conan is stepping away from the demands of the daily news business and is looking forward to the next, slightly less demanding, chapter of his life. Hosting a two-hour, live daily program is a high-wire act, and one that Neal has done an exemplary job at.
What happens to Science Friday?
We are happy to say that Science Friday remains on the air at 90.5 WESA, Fridays from 2-4pm.
How can I register my perspectives about Talk of the Nation with NPR?
You have two ways: Go to NPR.org and click on the “Contact Us” link. Emails submitted there will be reviewed by the organization.
You may also consider contacting NPR’s Ombudsman, Edward Schumacher-Matos, who is the listeners’ advocate. You can send a note to him via the “Contact Us” option as well.
Questions? Comments? Contact 90.5 WESA Director of Content and Programming at tterwelp@wesa.fm or (412) 697-2944.
