Iowa Public Radio has launched AAA “Studio One” on 88.9 KKSO (formerly KICJ) Mitchellville and 94.1 K231DI Des Moines.
The station is now positioning as “Iowa’s Alternative Music Station” under Program Director Al Schares launching at midnight with Vampire Weekend’s “Hinterland”.
Studio One also is heard in nights and overnights weekdays and afternoons on weekends on IPR’s network of FM Public News/Talk stations across the state. KICJ had been part of IPR’s Classical network, while the organization acquired K231DI earlier this year for $100,000.
Brandon Charles 
This is a real case study I’m interested in with regards to AAA in smaller markets. Many of the largest markets have stations, but it does seem like a format, built for mid and small college markets, I believe Des Moines is one of them. While I recognize economic conditions, now would be a great time for stations, implementing a part-time format to perhaps, invest in it full-time, because if there’s any hope in protecting the young and or mid end of the target demo, now is that time.