University of Missouri-St. Louis’ “St. Louis Public Radio” 90.7 KWMU St. Louis will begin simulcasting on Missouri University of Science & Technology’s 88.5 KMST Rolla and 96.3 K242AN Lebanon MO on July 1.
Currently operating as “Mid-Missouri Public Radio”, KMST/K242AN will become a simulcast of KWMU with the exception of its “Bluegrass for a Saturday Night” from 7-10pm on Saturdays. While both are public stations carrying many of the NPR stalwarts, KMST had been carrying Classical and Jazz music programming from 7pm-4am weekdays, while KWMU runs Public News/Talk programming.
The assumption of the operations of KMST duplicates what St. Louis Public Radio did in 2012 when it acquired 90.3 WQUB Quincy IL from Quincy University and relaunched it as “Quincy Public Radio“.
St. Louis Public Radio, the National Public Radio affiliate at 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, effective July 1, 2017.
“For more than 40 years, KMST has played a significant role in the culture and social fabric of our community and the surrounding area,” says 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.”“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 says. “We look forward to partnering with Missouri S&T to provide the Rolla and Phelps County area superior news-talk programming.”
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 continue to offer 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 the 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,” says 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,” said Eby.
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.
STL Public Radio is taking over KMST due to a budget crunch at Missouri S&T, according to Current (paywall-protected) and the Rolla Daily News. Seven KMST employees are being laid off as a result.