Boise State Public Radio ‘listening to community’

Has your day ever gotten hijacked by listening to a great story? Recently, a woman in Boise told me that she got so caught up in an NPR piece, she was late for a meeting. Lucky for her she was delayed. Her washer overflowed, and she caught it just before it caused too much damage.

Every day, listeners of Boise State Public Radio’s KBSX and KBSU find a world of compelling news and ideas. Whether they’re at home, in a car or on a mobile device, NPR is there, and it is always thought-provoking.

Boise State Public Radio spans the rugged terrain of our region, from the Treasure Valley to Twin Falls, reaching deep into the heart of Idaho. From Salmon to Stanley, to the deserts of Jackpot north to the mountains of McCall, we connect our far-flung expanses like no other.

In this age of cacophonies of information pouring into our lives, Boise State Public Radio is a beacon of even-handed journalism and an inspirational mirror to our culture.

Last week, Tom Michael, founder and general manager of Marfa Public Radio and West Texas Public Radio, was chosen from a field of more than 40 applicants to be the new general manager. When he arrives in July, he will find a regionwide, round-the-clock radio service and support in Boise State’s aspirations for excellence for KBSX and KBSU, to bring you thoughtful programming, editorial integrity and technical excellence.

During my time here, I’ve listened and learned a lot. Not surprisingly, the greatest asset at Boise State Public Radio is people: award-winning journalists who are not afraid to ask tough questions; students getting their first break in the media; dedicated technicians who maintain an increasingly aged rural radio system; passionate fundraisers who’ve kept fund drives to just a few days annually; and lastly, dedicated listeners who want public radio in their lives and are willing to support it.

All these people have created a special “sauce” that has propelled our KBSX 91.5 FM to be the most listened-to radio station in Southwest Idaho. This past month, the station was honored with five Edward R. Murrow Awards for outstanding journalism.

Looking to the future, we’re taking stock of all of our equipment to decide whether it’s up to snuff for the future. We’re readying plans for new programs, including a new daily, locally produced talk show — in the spirit of the civil Diane Rehm show — that will examine the news and culture of our area.

So stay tuned … and oh yeah, keep supporting us.

For Boise State Public Radio, it all comes down to a very simple thing, and that’s listening. We’re listening for that next special “driveway moment” that will change your life; we’re listening to the voices of our community to provide critical information; and finally, we’re listening hard to you to better prepare our public service for the future.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Boise State Public Radio ‘listening to community’."