St. Louis Public Radio to assume operations of KMST

by | Jun 19, 2017

A service of UMSL, the station will partner with Missouri S&T beginning July 1 to provide the Rolla and Phelps County area with superior news-talk programming.

Expanding on the success of St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU and Quincy Public Radio | WQUB 90.3, the University of Missouri–St. Louis will assume the operational and programming duties of Missouri University of Science and Technology’s public radio station KMST 88.5 FM in Rolla, Missouri, effective July 1, 2017.

“St. Louis Public Radio is one of the best public radio stations in the country – consistently winning national accolades and new audience share,” University of Missouri–St. Louis Chancellor Tom George said. “We look forward to partnering with Missouri S&T to provide the Rolla and Phelps County area superior news-talk programming.”

St. Louis Public Radio“For more than 40 years, KMST has played a significant role in the culture and social fabric of our community and the surrounding area,” said Missouri S&T interim Chancellor Christopher G. Maples. “This arrangement with St. Louis Public Radio will ensure that KMST’s loyal listeners will continue to benefit from quality public radio programming for many years to come.”

KMST will now be a part of the St. Louis Public Radio network joining 90.7 KWMU and 90.3 WQUB. Under the umbrella of St. Louis Public Radio, KMST will now broadcast St. Louis Public Radio’s current program schedule. KMST listeners will be able to continue enjoying signature public radio programs such as “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered,” “1A,” “The Moth Radio Hour” and “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” In addition, they will now be able to hear other signature public radio programs such as “Science Friday,” “The Takeaway,” “Fresh Air,” “The World” and “BBC World Service.

One exception to St. Louis Public Radio’s current schedule will involve the retention of KMST program “Bluegrass for a Saturday Night.”

“Public radio is a vitally important asset to the many communities it serves, so it is important to us to ensure that KMST will continue serving the Rolla area,” said St. Louis Public Radio general manager Tim Eby.

As part of the change, KMST listeners will now have access to expanded statewide news coverage and regular reports from St. Louis Public Radio statehouse reporter Marshall Griffin. Additionally, St. Louis Public Radio officials pledge to continue supporting civic events and cultural programs in the Rolla area.

“Moving forward, it is our goal for St. Louis Public Radio to remain an important part of the cultural fabric of the Rolla community through various partnerships, sponsorships and long-lasting relationships,” Eby said.

KMST is a 100,000-watt non-commercial public radio station that broadcasts on 88.5 FM in Rolla and 96.3 FM in Lebanon, Missouri. KMST broadcasts are also streamed online at kmst.org.

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Bob Samples

Bob Samples

Bob Samples is associate vice chancellor for university communications at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.