Marketplace Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

Marketplace Celebrates 20th Anniversary

(Los Angeles, Calif.) January 6, 2009—Marketplace,^® public radio's award-winning daily business and economics news program "for the rest of us," is celebrating 20 years of broadcasting.

Marketplace premiered on the first Monday of 1989 and continues to be the fresh sound of business and economics news that listeners from Main Street to Wall Street count on to understand how business and the economy are shaping their world, country, communities and lives. Marketplace launched in January 1989 with 663,000 listeners on 80 public radio stations. Since then, it has expanded to three programs (Marketplace, Marketplace Money^® and Marketplace Morning Report^®) that reach more than 8 million listeners each week, more than any other business program in the United States on radio, cable or network television.

Marketplace attracts listeners with a distinctive reporting style that is fast, forthright, and friendly, making money, business and the global economy understandable and even fun.

The programs are more valuable than ever in the current financial crisis. With 20 years of accumulated reporting expertise, Marketplace has covered the crisis with depth, insight and commitment unmatched by any broadcast news organization. Marketplace is telling this story in many ways, but mostly with a human perspective, to help people make sense of the economy they know and the markets they hear about.

"When a few colleagues and I hunkered down in a suburban LA strip mall a little over 20 years ago to create Marketplace, we weren't sure we'd even survive the first year," said Marketplace Executive Producer J.J. Yore. "Now, as we enter our third decade in the midst of the greatest economic crisis in generations, it seems the mission of Marketplace is more important than ever: to help Americans understand the global economy in an accessible way to help them take charge of their lives."

The world-class reporting staff at Marketplace has won every major award in broadcasting, including the Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting and Cable and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Journalism Silver Baton. Marketplace benefits from the creativity, experience and international perspectives of a dedicated team of journalists, including hosts Kai Ryssdal, (Marketplace); Tess Vigeland (Marketplace Money); and Scott Jagow and Steve Chiotakis (Marketplace Morning Report).

Marketplace is the only national business news program originating from the West Coast. Marketplace began on January 2, 1989, as a scrappy start-up radio program housed in a Los Angeles strip mall. The staff used single-lined phones and a make-shift studio with a door that wouldn't close. Today, Marketplace broadcasts from American Public Media's^™ Frank Stanton Studios in downtown Los Angeles and has bureaus in New York; Washington, DC; London; and Shanghai. Marketplace also has desks that specialize in covering subject areas. These include an Innovation Desk at North Carolina Public Radio, in Chapel Hill, NC; an Entrepreneurship Desk based at Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland; and the America's Desk, based at WLRN in Miami. As part of its mission to help Americans understand the global economy and the impact of globalization on their lives, Marketplace has taken the program on the road to numerous domestic and international destinations, including Shanghai and Chonqing, China; Cairo; Dubai, Cuba, Missouri and other locations.

For 20 years, Marketplace has been the place to go for smart entertaining news about money, business and economics. Now, the economic challenges here and around the world make Marketplace more relevant than ever.

American Routes turns 10!

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.orgAmerican Routes turns 10!

Public radio program from New Orleans celebrates a decade on the air with an anniversary concert and broadcast, new Web site and retrospective CD

(New Orleans, La.) January 6, 2009—American Routes,^® the weekly nationally syndicated public radio program devoted to music and musicians, stories and cultures from New Orleans, the Gulf South and America beyond, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a series of special events, culminating in a blockbuster concert at the House of Blues in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at 8 p.m. The show, to be recorded for network broadcast during the week before Mardi Gras, will feature the spirited R & B of Deacon John's big band, neo-traditional Cajun music from Feufollet and Dr. Michael White's Original Liberty Jazz Band. Additional guests include vocalist Topsy Chapman, Trombone Shorty and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson. A national travel contest will bring winning out-of-town listeners in from public radio markets across the country. Additional information about the concert can be found at www.americanroutes.org.

Produced and hosted by folklorist and Tulane University professor Nick Spitzer, American Routes reaches nearly half a million people on almost 200 stations nationwide. American Routes is co-produced and distributed by American Public Media,^™ the nation's second-largest producer of public radio programming.

Launched in 1998 from its studios in New Orleans' French Quarter, the program started modestly, with national carriage on only seven stations. "A lot of people said the program"—which presents blues and jazz, roots rock and soul, country and gospel, zydeco and Tejano among other styles of American vernacular music—"was too eclectic and roots-oriented to succeed at a network level," noted Spitzer; however, "within two months we had thirty stations; sixty stations by year's end; and within two years we'd reached a hundred."

American Routes, which prides itself on creative segues—or sonic and topical sequencing of music to tell a story, suggest a cultural meaning, or take listeners on an aural journey—is celebrating 10 years and hundreds of programs worth of its unassuming but informed interviews with a collection of some of the best in a new retrospective double CD: American Routes: Songs and Stories from the Road (Highbridge Records). The album gathers some of Nick Spitzer's most memorable meetings with artists like Dave Brubeck, Nina Simone, Tom Waits, Tito Puente, Dolly Parton, Jerry Garcia and Rufus Thomas. There is also a walk in a Tremé second line with the Rebirth Brass Band and a visit in the studio with then-teen Cajun band, Feufollet. Along the way are explorations of the origins of "Beach Music" in North Carolina, a humorous romp through an antique radio museum in St. Louis, and Jewish songwriters Leiber and Stoller describing how Yiddish theater met four-part gospel harmonies in their early R & B classics like "Smokey Joe's CafÈ."

In addition, anyone who wants to find an American Routes classic program—be it in-depth biographies of Ray Charles, Johnny Cash or Louis Armstrong; part of the highly acclaimed "After the Storm" series; or topical themes like "The Color of Music," "The History of New Orleans Music," and the recent "Singing and Swinging the Election"—can now stream every show, interview and feature since 1998 in its entirety on demand at www.americanroutes.org. The Web site is an encyclopedic resource of American music and culture for students, fans, scholars and communities, and contains more than 300 conversations that run the gamut of the American experience, from musicians and oral historians to chefs, street dancers, fortunetellers and fishermen.

American Routes' success has occurred even as public radio stations—long presenters of classical and jazz—were abandoning music formats in favor of news. "The audience for Routes is very loyal," said Spitzer. "They write us a lot of letters from New York, Seattle, Chicago, Phoenix, Nashville and Austin, and even a lot of smaller places like Indian reservations, rural Alabama and Midwest college towns.

"A lot of people don't think you can find this kind of music on public radio," added Spitzer. "Recently we added stations in Fort Myers, Florida, all of Oklahoma and eastern Washington State. Also, XM satellite radio has carried us for several years."

All of these milestones will come together in a live celebration in front of a home audience at the New Orleans House of Blues, 225 Decatur St, on Friday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m.

"We have been hoping to do more live events," said an enthusiastic Spitzer. "Last year, we did a live show at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota and this year several shows here and around the country are planned. Personally, I prefer the spontaneity of a live stage with interviews, humor, and whatever else happens with great players and audiences like ours. It makes for very listenable radio the old school way."

Information about the concert at House of Blues and the retrospective double-CD collection can be found at www.americanroutes.org.

Tulane University collaborates on the production of American Routes, underwritten by the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Additional support is provided by the University of New Orleans and Offbeat magazine. The anniversary concert and broadcast are underwritten by Louisiana Entertainment in the state Department of Economic Development; Lafayette: Louisiana's Crossroads; and the W Hotel of New Orleans.

American Public Media to Cancel Weekend America

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

American Public Media to Cancel Weekend America

(St. Paul, Minn.) December 19, 2008—American Public Media^™ is cancelling weekly production and distribution of Weekend America^® as a result of the current economy's impact on station carriage and sponsorships. The final broadcast will be January 31, 2009. Thirteen full- and part-time positions will be affected. Weekend America is carried on 134 stations with a weekly audience of about 657,000 listeners.

American Public Media is proud of the many accomplishments of Weekend America's talented staff. They have produced personal, thoughtful, funny and challenging journalism that you couldn't hear anywhere else. The program topics ranged from in-depth reporting on the fallout from the Iraqi war, multi-part series on foreclosure and immigration, and the lessons of racism. The hosts and reporters also engaged people all across America on their weekends, skydiving or dancing or giving concerts or celebrating the diverse cultures and festivals of our country.

89.3 KPCC Audience, Fundraising Hit All-Time Highs!

Contact: Betty St. Peter
bstpeter@scpr.org
www.scpr.org

89.3 KPCC Audience, Fundraising Hit All-Time Highs!

Monday, December 15, 2008 (Los Angeles)—89.3 KPCC announced that it has posted impressive audience growth fueled by election coverage in the latest Arbitron report. The November 2008 Arbitron data show that 89.3 KPCC is the number one public radio station in the Los Angeles metro area. In the standard full-week ranker (M-Su 6a-12m), KPCC earned a 1.8 share—good for 24th in the Southland among all radio stations. Following behind KPCC was KUSC, which also had a 1.8 share (but with a lower average quarter audience), KKJZ with a .6 share, and KCRW with a .5 market share.

KPCC is managed by Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) and was ranked 17th in both the critical morning and afternoon drive-time slots with a 2.5 share during the mornings (6 ñ 10 AM) and a 2.4 share during the evenings (3 ñ 7 PM).

"In Southern California's competitive radio marketplace, where consumers have a vast array of choices, it's incredible that so many people want to stay informed. It's a great tribute to the station that they choose 89.3 KPCC," said Jarl Mohn, board member of Southern California Public Radio. "I am proud of my association and count myself as a loyal listener."

The November ratings are the third public release of data that use Arbitron's new Portable People Meter^™ (PPMTM) methodology. The Portable People Meter service introduces a new era in radio station ratings and eliminates diary data from select markets.

Also in November, KPCC had the most successful membership drive in the station's history. The fundraising drive surpassed all previous records, generating nearly 1.5 million dollars in support from more than 11,000 new and renewing members. A critical factor in the success of this effort was SCPR's partnerships with other regional non-profit organizations. Instead of using t-shirts, coffee mugs and CDs as thank you gifts to donors, KPCC used the funds that normally would have purchased those items to support the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank and First Book LA. Through these partnerships, SCPR donors helped to provide more than 200,000 meals to families in need, and give more than 5,000 books to children in low income homes.

"The Los Angeles Regional Foodbank greatly appreciates our partnership with KPCC," stated president and CEO Michael Flood. "And thanks to the tremendous response by listeners, more than 200,000 meals are being distributed to families and individuals throughout the Southland this holiday season."

"For many children living in low-income families in Southern California and across the country, growing up with books at home is a luxury, but thanks to the tremendous support of Southern California Public Radio and their listeners, First Book can ensure that these children experience the power of books in their lives throughout the year," said First Book President Kyle Zimmer.

"At a time when other public radio organizations—both local stations and NPR—are cutting back, SCPR and 89.3 KPCC are able to extend and expand its coverage," said SCPR President Bill Davis. "These generous contributions from our listeners will be put straight back into the programming—and our audience will hear the difference."

About Southern California Public Radio

Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) is a member-supported public radio network that operates 89.3 KPCC-FM in Los Angeles and Orange County, 89.1 KUOR-FM in the Inland Empire and 90.3 KPCV in the Coachella Valley. Reaching more than a 600,000 listeners every week, SCPR is the most listened to public radio news service of any kind in Southern California and serves the diverse communities of Southern California with award-winning local news coverage as well as the most NPR (National Public Radio) content available anywhere in the region. SCPR's flagship station, KPCC, has garnered more than 200 journalistic honors, including three Distinguished Radio Journalist awards (from the Greater LA Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists) and the 2008 top honor for Breaking News from the LA Press Club. SCPR also features signature public radio programs from American Public Media, the BBC and Public Radio International. Listeners around the globe can access news, join blogs, download podcasts, as well as hear a live web stream at www.scpr.org.

About Arbitron
Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) is an international media and marketing research firm serving radio broadcasters, cable companies, advertisers, advertising agencies and outdoor advertising companies in the United States, Mexico and Europe. Arbitron's core businesses are measuring network and local market radio audiences across the United States; surveying the retail, media and product patterns of local market consumers; and providing application software used for analyzing media audience and marketing information data. Arbitron Inc. has developed the Portable People Meter, a new technology for radio, TV and cable ratings.

About Los Angeles Regional Foodbank
The Los Angeles Regional Foodbank is a non-profit, charitable organization established in 1973 and is one of the largest food banks in the United States. Through a network of 875 charitable agency sites, the Foodbank supplies enough food for over 500,000 meals each week in Los Angeles County. The Foodbank is affiliated with Feeding America (formerly Americaís Second Harvest). For more information, visit http://www.lafoodbank.org.

About First Book

First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy—access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 60 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities. First Book now has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the nonprofit First Book please visit www.firstbook.org or call 866-393-1222.

Classical South Florida to Build Support for Classical Music with Knight Foundation grant

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

Classical South Florida to Build Support for Classical Music with Knight Foundation grant

Miami, Fla.—(December 4, 2008)—Classical South Florida announced today it will use a $250,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to build listener support for its all-classical public radio station in Miami and West Palm Beach.

For six years, South Florida was the largest U.S. urban area without an all-classical public radio station. Classical South Florida was created by American Public Media to bring classical music back to South Florida's air waves. The all-classical station, heard on 89.7 in the Miami area and 101.9 in the West Palm Beach area, was launched in October of 2007. Building a strong base of support is central to ensuring the viability of this essential community institution. The Knight Foundation grant will challenge audiences by matching listeners' donations up to $250,000 over the next two years.

Classical South Florida, like all public radio stations, is listener-supported. It partners with organizations in the thriving cultural community of South Florida to engage with its audiences in innovative ways, providing insight and making classical music relevant in today's world.

About Classical South Florida
Classical South Florida is a nonprofit 501c3 public radio organization dedicated to broadcasting classical music. Its program schedule includes broadcasts of nationally renowned classical programs such as Performance Today,® SymphonyCast,® Pipedreams® and Saint Paul Sunday.® Classical South Florida began broadcasting in South Florida in October 2007. Its program service is broadcast on WKCP 89.7 FM Miami and on a lower-powered repeater station at 101.9 FM West Palm Beach. It is owned and operated by American Public Media. On line at www.classicalsouthflorida.org.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of communities in the United States where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation invests in ideas and projects that lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

Contacts
Classical South Florida: Jason Hughes, jhughes@classicalsouthflorida.org, 954-226-9771
Knight Foundation: Marc Fest, fest@knightfoundation.org, 305-908-2677.

American Public Media launches Public Radio Tuner™

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

American Public Media launches Public Radio Tuner^™

New iPhone application plays public radio streams from all over the nation

(St. Paul, Minn.) December 4, 2008—American Public Media,^™ the nation's second-largest producer and distributor of public radio programs, today announced the launch of its Public Radio Tuner,^™ a new, free iPhone^™ application that allows iPhone users to find and play the public radio stream from their favorite station or try out other stations.

American Public Media invited all public radio stations to have their Internet streams listed in the Public Radio Tuner. Currently, more than 150 public radio stations are participating. The Public Radio Tuner is available in the iTunes App Store. American Public Media is continuing to add new streams and will update the Public Radio Tuner stream list weekly.

"The free Public Radio Tuner is a great way for public radio to reach existing and new audiences on one of the most popular devices in the country," says American Public Media New Media Interim Director Melinda Driscoll.

To access the Public Radio Tuner in the iTunes App Store, visit http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=296549398&mt=8;.

Judy McAlpine to head national programming, distribution for American Public Media

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

Judy McAlpine to head national programming, distribution for American Public Media

(St. Paul, Minn.)—December 1, 2008—American Public Media today announced the promotion of Judy McAlpine to head its national programming and distribution, reporting to Jon McTaggart, APM and MPR's senior vice president and chief operating officer. In her capacity, McAlpine has responsibility for the creative development of content for the portfolio of shows including news and information as well as classical music. Prominent within the portfolio she manages are Marketplace, Marketplace Money and Marketplace Morning Report, A Splendid Table, Being, Weekend America, American RadioWorks, Performance Today and SymphonyCast. In addition, she will oversee the division's underwriting, development and program distribution.

Describing McAlpine, Bill Kling, CEO of American Public Media and MPR said "During the past year Judy has demonstrated her ability to lead award-winning programming delivered on air and on line. Her leadership and program production experience at the Canadian Broadcasting Company (one of the world's most respected public broadcasters) give her the skills to deliver strong, compelling programs for our audiences. She is one of the world's truly professional broadcast and digital content managers with a track record to match. We are excited about what she will be able to do in this expanded role."

McAlpine said, "I'm looking forward to building on the strengths that American Public Media is known for across the US. In a changing media landscape, our audience depends more than ever on the public service values that distinguish our programming on air and online."

McAlpine joined American Public Media a year ago from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio where she was director of International/Business Development. Her award-winning career at the CBC spanned local, national and international program production and management. McAlpine was executive producer of CBC's flagship national daily current affairs show "This Morning" and also created the celebrated documentary program "Outfront." She later managed all CBC Radio national current affairs programs and led redevelopment of the morning radio schedule. As well, she developed new strategies for CBC Radio expansion on emerging platforms, resulting in podcast, satellite and mobile launches.

McAlpine holds a master of arts in Journalism and a bachelor of arts, with honors, in English Literature, both from University of Western Ontario, Canada.

What is American Public Media?
Nearly 16 million listeners nationwide, including nearly 800,000 listeners in the region, tune in to programs produced by American Public Media. American Public Media is the country's second-largest producer of national public radio programs, with a portfolio including A Prairie Home Companion,^® Weekend America,^® Saint Paul Sunday,^® Marketplace,^® Marketplace Money,^® The Splendid Table,^® Being^® and special reports produced by its national documentary unit, American RadioWorks.^® A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be found at www.mpr.org and www.americanpublicmedia.org.

Minnesota Public Radio names Tim Roesler general manager

Contact: Jennifer Haugh
(651) 290-1369
jhaugh@mpr.org
www.minnesotapublicradio.org

Minnesota Public Radio names Tim Roesler general manager

Roesler to manage 38-station regional network

(St. Paul, Minn.) December 1, 2008—Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) announced today that Tim Roesler will become senior vice president and general manager of its 38-station regional network that stretches across Minnesota, extended with 29 booster stations. Roesler has most recently served MPR and American Public Media as senior vice president of sales, marketing and program distribution. In his new role, Roesler has responsibility for all three MPR services—News, Classical and The Current. This includes responsibility for the regional radio network, Web sites and digital distribution.

American Public Media and Minnesota Public Radio President and CEO Bill Kling says, "Tim's extensive media background and radio experience make him a perfect choice to take on the management of MPR. Tim has all the qualities required to advance our tradition of producing quality news and music programming and digital content and delivering relevant, innovative and insightful media—whether on air, online or on wireless devices."

According to Roesler, "Serving as general manager of MPR lets me combine my experiences in radio, TV and digital media and link them to the smartest workforce I've ever seen. Between our news service, the country's best classical music service and the most innovative rock station, The Current, we are building and providing something unique to Minnesota.

"We're dedicated to bringing quality media to every part of our state and our multi-state region. What other radio company can say that 100,000 of its listeners actually write checks to support the quality programming of the station?" asks Roesler.

Roesler is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, with a broadcast journalism degree where he earned membership in the honorary academic societies for broadcast journalism and economics. He has a master's degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University in East Lansing and taught news film/video classes at Creighton University in Omaha.

He began his career in the newsroom and on air at the CBS TV affiliate in Sioux City, Iowa, then went to news and information station KFAB in Omaha, and managed commercial station KDON FM-AM in Salinas-Monterey-Santa Cruz, Calif. He spent eight years with CBS owned and operated stations in San Francisco in sales management and was in sales management with Clear Channel locally. Roesler worked with Internet Broadcasting, which was an early leader in the convergence of online and broadcast content. He joined American Public Media in 2001.

Minnesota Public Radio^® operates a 38-station radio network serving virtually all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states and produces programming for radio, Internet and face-to-face audiences. Programs produced by Minnesota Public Radio's parent company, American Public Media,^™ reach 15.9 million listeners nationwide each week. Of those, nearly 800,000 listen regionally, in Minnesota and surrounding states. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be found at www.mpr.org.

American Public Media's The Splendid Table Announces Turkey Confidential 2008

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

American Public Media's The Splendid Table Announces Turkey Confidential 2008

Live, two-hour call-in program on Thanksgiving morning from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ET)
Listen on public radio or join us live on the Web

(St. Paul, Minn.) November 3, 2008—Help is on the way for Thanksgiving cooks, kitchen helpers and their guests on the biggest cooking day of the year. On Thanksgiving morning, join Lynne Rossetto Kasper, the award-winning host of public radio's national food show, The Splendid Table, for real-time turkey triage during the live broadcast of Turkey Confidential 2008. This year, Lynne will be joined by special guests film director, novelist, and playwright Nora Ephron, style guru Isaac Mizrahi, Cookís Illustrated's Chris Kimball, wine entrepreneur Joshua Wesson, and Gourmet's road food duo Jane and Michael Stern.

Phone lines (800-537-5252) will be open nationwide from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. Check local public radio listings for availability of Turkey Confidential 2008 in your area. The program will also be simulcast live on the Web at www.splendidtable.org.

The Splendid Table's Lynne Rossetto Kasper will be answering listener questions during the live, two-hour program. Quickly becoming a Thanksgiving morning tradition, past shows have included everything from a cross-country trucker cooking his Thanksgiving dinner on the manifold, to a panicked first-time cook who didn't realize the turkey needed to be thawed. Lynne handles all questions with great wit, expertise and laughter.

About The Splendid Table
Produced and distributed by American Public Media in Saint Paul, Minn., The Splendid Table is a culinary, culture and lifestyle program that celebrates the intersection of food and life. Each week, The Splendid Table's Lynne Rossetto Kasper leads public radio audiences on a journey of the senses and leads discussions with a variety of writers and personalities who share their passion for the culinary delights.

The Splendid Table's national Locavore study participants subtract pounds and waste from sustainable eating habits

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

The Splendid Table's national Locavore study participants subtract pounds and waste from sustainable eating habits

(St. Paul, Minn.) October 13, 2008—Third-quarter results for The Splendid Table Locavore Nation, a one-year qualitative research study on eating sustainably, noted natural weight-loss trends and drastic reduction of waste, especially among those newer to practicing the concept.

Reasons given by the newly slimmer participants were the exercise involved in gardening, eating more conscientiously and walking more as a sustainable choice. The garbage reduction was due to more composting and less packaging.

Meanwhile, as a whole, the group reported eating local organic foods 82.25 percent of the time. The actual range was 52 to 95 percent with all but two recording below 80 percent. Participant Tim Baird of Carrboro, S.C., stressed that the group consciously makes the decision to eat locally where they may have unconsciously chosen packaged and non-local foods previously.

Of 15 initially selected participants, 12 remain as active bloggers and participants of the year-long qualitative study initiated by The Splendid Table in December 2007.

Nine out of the 12 participants said their grocery bills are lower or the same as last year due to gardening, conscious food choices, lack of wastefulness, buying in bulk and preserving food. A majority also reported driving less than usual.

Those who were new to prioritizing local/seasonal food-buying were more likely to report additional lifestyle and personal benefits. Scott Swendsen of Boise, ID said his blood pressure dropped and muscle mass increased. Donna McClurkan of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Gina Keenan Klages of Eau Claire, Wis., both said they will continue making local choices after the year of eating Locavore project is over because of how they now look at food.

"The thing about eating locally is one becomes intensely aware of everything that affects where our food comes from. It is part of who I am now," said McClurkan.

Paulette Thompson, a former Peace Corps member and teacher from Seattle, Wash., offered a lighter view. "I decided to take a Salsa dance class, because I have more energy," said Thompson.

Because of newly noticed quality taste differences, most said they would no longer eat tomatoes and many fruits and vegetables either out of season or delivered long-distance.

About Locavore Nation
The Locavore Nation participants represent a regional geographic and demographic mix and write about their experiences on The Splendid Table Web site at www.splendidtable.org.

When Locavore Nation began, the group agreed to buy or obtain 80 percent of food items from organic local/regional and seasonal sources within 500 miles of their homes. Spices are exempt. All keep food journals to measure progress and note difficulties, resources and local trends. Most are adhering to a 100-mile distance for purchases.

The group was selected from more than 5,000 applicants to explore the obstacles or ease of maintaining a local/regional diet. States represented are California, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. Massachusetts and Oklahoma were represented by two who no longer participate in the blog or the formal survey.

Produced and distributed by American Public Media, The Splendid Table is public radio's only national program exploring the many dimensions of food.

About The Splendid Table
Produced and distributed by American Public Media^™ in St. Paul, Minn., The Splendid Table is a culinary, culture and lifestyle one-hour program that celebrates the intersection of food and life. Each week, The Splendid Table's Lynne Rossetto Kasper leads public radio audiences on a journey of the senses and leads discussions with a variety of writers and personalities who share their passion for the culinary delights.

Marketplace On-Air Staff Available to Speak about Nation's Financial Crisis

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

Marketplace On-Air Staff Available to Speak about Nation's Financial Crisis

(Los Angeles, Calif.) October 6, 2008—Members of American Public Media's Marketplace news team, providing the program's comprehensive coverage of "Fallout: America's Financial Crisis," are available for interviews on the current financial crisis and other stories you may be developing on business, economics and personal finance news. Please contact Brad Robideau at 651-290-1113 or brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org to schedule interviews.

Marketplace is an award-winning portfolio of business programs (Marketplace, Marketplace Money and Marketplace Morning Report) that provides public radio audiences a smart, witty take on the state of the global economy and how it relates to them. The "business show for the rest of us" breaks down the impact of the week's major national and international stories on our world and on our wallets. The only national business news programs that originate from the West Coast, the Marketplace portfolio is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week, more than any other business program on radio or television. Marketplace is on the Web at www.marketplace.org.

The Marketplace team

Kai Ryssdal has been covering the U.S. and global economies for Marketplace for more than seven years. He has hosted all three programs in the Marketplace portfolio (Marketplace, Marketplace Money and Marketplace Morning Report) and has led their coverage during live broadcasts from Wall Street, China and the Middle East. His keen ear and experienced insights are critical in helping listeners understand the often confusing—but always critical—business and economic stories that happen every day.

Tess Vigeland is a familiar voice to Marketplace listeners and a longtime public radio veteran, both as a reporter and host. In her role hosting Marketplace Money, Vigeland specializes in taking high finance down to the very personal level. It's all about how Wall Street and the economy affect your wallet and your bank account. As the financial crisis of 2008 unfolded, she has profiled homeowners walking away from foreclosed homes and white-collar workers who found themselves at a food pantry for the first time. Vigeland has also helped guide listeners through a forest of financial gobbledygook to understand why the meltdown has landed on their doorsteps. As the show's call-in portion promises, Tess "gets personal."

Chris Farrell brings more than 25 years of experience in economics and personal finance journalism to Marketplace Money. In addition to his central role on the show, he serves as the personal finance expert on Marketplace Morning Report. He's also contributing editor at BusinessWeek magazine. Farrell's latest book, Deflation: What Happens When Prices Fall, was just published by HarperBusiness. He is writing a new book tentatively titled The New Frugality. Farrell's expertise is grasping the macro links between the capital markets and the economy, then translating that understanding into everyone's personal finance concerns.

Amy Scott is Marketplace's New York bureau chief. Her reporting focuses on the financial markets, with an emphasis on the culture of Wall Street. She is available to speak about the roots of the current financial crisis and the impact on Wall Street. In the coming days, Scott will join Marketplace Money host Tess Vigeland on a nationwide tour to cover the impact of the financial crisis on Main Street USA. Scott joined Marketplace in 2001 and has reported on everything from the post-Enron corporate reforms to the national political conventions in 2004 to the subprime mortgage meltdown and current financial crisis.

John Dimsdale is Marketplace's Washington, D.C. bureau chief. A veteran Washington journalist, he covers the intersection of money and politics. Dimsdale reports on the current financial crisis from Congress, the White House, the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Board. With 18 years of experience at Marketplace, he has reported on many of Washington's major issues, including trade, energy, accounting scandals, interest rates and regulatory policy.

Stephen Beard reports on financial and economic policy from Marketplace's London bureau. With his deep expertise in European affairs, Beard covers the international repercussions of America's current financial crisis from the world's other top financial center. A radio journalist for more than 30 years, Beard has worked with several international media organizations, including the BBC and Germany's Deutsche Welle radio network, and his assignments have included reporting from throughout Europe, as well as the Middle East, China, Australia, Malaysia and India.

American RadioWorks Announces Documentaries for Fall 2008

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

American RadioWorks Announces Documentaries for Fall 2008

Lineup Connects Listeners to Issues Important to Upcoming Presidential Election

(St. Paul, Minn.) September 22, 2008—American RadioWorks,^® the award-winning documentary unit of American Public Media,^™ today announced its fall lineup of documentaries. The four new innovative documentaries will provide audiences a deeper understanding of some of the important issues facing the 2008 presidential election.

Fall 2008 Schedule:

September 25—"Pueblo, USA" (Part of "The Real Face of Poverty," American RadioWorks' sustained coverage on issues of poverty and opportunity)

The wave of immigrants from south of the border has forever changed America. Big, coastal cities have absorbed immigrants for decades. But today, immigrants are changing the culture and the economics of cities and small towns nationwide. In the South, a small town adjusts to its deepest cultural change since the Civil Rights movement. And in a Midwestern city, a neighborhood is reborn when immigrants move in—but the rebirth comes at a price. "Pueblo, USA" shows how the immigrants are both a boon and a burden to their new communities.

October 2—"What Killed Sergeant Gray"

American RadioWorks investigates the mysterious death of an Iraq War veteran and uncovers new allegations of detainee abuse. This powerful documentary follows members of a U.S. Army unit and their struggle to come to terms with what they did, and didn't do, in Iraq.

October 9—"After the Projects" (Part of "The Real Face of Poverty")

Around the country, public housing projects are crashing down. Once, the projects were a symbol of hope. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted them to be places for workers and immigrants, people he called "the deserving poor." Starting in the 1970s, neglect turned public housing projects into ghettos of concentrated poverty and violent crime. Now, in the next public housing "experiment," Chicago is replacing the projects and moving residents to mixed-income neighborhoods. But there won't be room for everyone. And a new home may not mean an escape from poverty.

October 16—"Campaign '68"

The dramatic 1968 presidential election was a watershed in American politics. For half a century, the Democratic Party had dominated the political landscape. But in 1968, it crumbled. Richard Nixon was elected president and a new era of Republican conservatism was born. Some say 2008 may be the end of that era. "Campaign '68" will reveal to contemporary listeners the remarkable resonances between these two landmark political years, and how the events and consequences of 1968 help us better understand the 2008 race.

TUNE IN: The documentaries will broadcast on public radio stations nationwide. Check local listings for availability.

WEB SITES: The documentaries will have companion Web sites at www.americanradioworks.org, which include audio, transcripts and links to additional resources.

American RadioWorks
Based in St. Paul, Minn., American RadioWorks is public radio's largest documentary production unit. American RadioWorks creates documentaries, series projects and investigative reports for the public radio system and the Internet. Its hour-long specials provide in-depth reporting on public affairs, social and cultural subjects and the 20th-century experience. Major funding for American RadioWorks is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. American RadioWorks is on the Web at www.americanradioworks.org.

American RadioWorks on iTunes U
In partnership with Apple,^® American Public Media has created a rich archive of journalism from American RadioWorks and other signature radio programs available on the popular iTunes U platform. Get free, easy access to in-depth audio journalism that spans the globe and expands your mind with downloadable programs and interviews, searchable by subject; printable transcripts; discussion questions; and links to online resources: annotated program notes, primary source information, reading lists and interactive timelines.

American Public Media and V-me Offer Select A Candidate in Spanish

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

American Public Media and V-me Offer Select A Candidate in Spanish

Popular Online Survey Tool to Engage Spanish-speaking Audiences

(St. Paul, Minn. & New York) September 22, 2008—With the Hispanic vote expected to play a significant role in this year's presidential election, American Public Media^™ has teamed with V-me, American's fastest growing Spanish TV network, to create and distribute a Spanish version of American Public Media's widely popular Select A Candidate^® online election survey tool (http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/engage08/selectacandidate/sp/).V-me has provided the translation and distribution support for Select A Candidate as part of its PARTICIPA 2008 initiative.

With the Spanish application of Select A Candidate, American Public Media andV-me will engage Latino voters through a series of online questions about major issues so that they can quickly learn which 2008 presidential candidates are most closely aligned with their views. Latino voters will also learn more about the candidates' positions on many issues and find out how their results compare with those of others who take the survey. Select A Candidate is regularly updated during the course of the election to reflect candidates' issues as they emerge in greater detail.

For free HTML code to put the Select A Candidate widget on a Web site, visit http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/engage08/selectacandidate/sp/widget/.

"American Public Media appreciates V-me working with us to engage Spanish-speakers with Select A Candidate," said Sarah Lutman, American Public Media's senior vice president of Content and Media. "By many indications, including from those of the presidential candidates, Latino voters will be a major force in this year's historic election. American Public Media hopes Select A Candidate will be a useful tool to help these voters make informed decisions."

"V-me's PARTICIPA 2008 initiative has raised the bar for informing and empowering Latinos in the electoral process," said John Begert, V-me's chief marketing and branding officer. "Bringing a Spanish version of Select A Candidate online in time for our special Presidential Debate, Interactive Forum and Election Eve coverage creates a new and significant voter education resource."

Select A Candidate is an interactive audience engagement tool created by American Public Media as part of Engage 08, American Public Media's collection of 2008 election coverage resources. These resources include interactive tools that provide unique ways in which to educate, inform and entertain the electorate. Since its fall 2007 launch, nearly 700,000 people have played Select A Candidate.

PARTICIPA 2008, V-me's year-long commitment to quality multi-platform political coverage and voter education in Spanish, is made possible in part by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

About V-me
V-me, the new Hispanic Television option, entertains and informs America's Latino families in Spanish with primetime drama, music, sports, current affairs and Latin cinema, along with world class kids, food, lifestyle and nature. Currently available in over 6 million US Hispanic homes and 40 million total homes, the 24-hour network, partnered with public television, is America's largest Spanish digital channel. V-me is the first venture of the media production and distribution company, V-me Media Inc. To find out more, visit www.VmeTV.com.

Play Budget Hero and Learn How Your Fiscal Priorities Match Up with Senator John McCain's and Senator Barack Obama's

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

Play Budget Hero and Learn How Your Fiscal Priorities Match Up with Senator John McCain's and Senator Barack Obama's

(St. Paul, Minn.) September 17, 2008—If elected president, Senator John McCain promises to restore the Republican Party's reputation for fiscal restraint. Senator Barack Obama says he'll go through the federal budget line by line. But you don't have to wait until after Inauguration Day to see how their policies would affect the country's finances or how they align with your priorities.

American Public Media today announced an updated version of its highly popular Budget Hero (www.budgethero.org), an online game that allows ordinary citizens to see how their priorities and values would cost or save the country. Players can now compare their fiscal choices with those of presidential nominees Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama.

American Public Media created Budget Hero in consultation with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Public Agenda and The Concord Coalition. Budget Hero relies primarily on the budget model and forecasts provided the Congressional Budget Office, as well as numbers from independent think tanks such as the Tax Policy Center.

Budget Hero players work to achieve a variety of financial and policy goals in the game. Financial goals might include balancing the federal budget by a certain year, eliminating the national debt or limiting the size of government by keeping it at a certain percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (or GDP, which measures the size of the economy). Policy goals might include providing universal health coverage, fully funding No Child Left Behind or raising or lowering income taxes.

Since its launch in May, nearly 130,000 people have played Budget Hero. Many have said Budget Hero has changed their thinking about the federal budget.

The recently updated Budget Hero allows players to now see how their fiscal priorities match up with Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. To earn a candidate "badge," players must select at least two-thirds of that candidate's policies.

Senator John McCain's policies by budget category:

• Keep Bush tax cuts (Taxes)
• Cut corporate taxes (Taxes)
• Link AMT to inflation (Taxes)
• Give credits for health insurance (Taxes)
• Lower estate taxes (Taxes)
• Increase tax exemptions for kids (Taxes)
• Make research tax credit permanent (Taxes
• Expand tax write-offs for business (Taxes)
• Give prize for cheaper car battery (Science & Nature)
• Increase funding for cleaner coal (Science & Nature)
• Eliminate pork-barrel spending (Misc.)

Note: Senator McCain declined to provide American Public Media with descriptions and cost estimates for his policies. As a result, there are fewer policy options for Senator McCain than Senator Barack Obama in the areas of health care, education and infrastructure. The McCain options contained in Budget Hero were derived from publicly available campaign literature and independent think tanks and are therefore limited in detail and scope.

Senator Barack Obama's policies by budget category:

• Keep Bush tax cuts for all but the rich (Taxes)
• Cap and limit greenhouse gases (Taxes)
• Giver workers a tax credit (Taxes)
• End income taxes for seniors (Taxes)
• Make research tax credit permanent (Taxes)
• Increase tax credits for college (Taxes)
• Give mortgage credit to all filers (Taxes)
• Freeze estate tax rates (Taxes)
• Expand funds and testing in K-12 (Schools & Kids)
• More for after-school learning (Schools & Kids)
• Fund research on clean energy (Science & Nature)
• Provide relief for states (Infrastructure)
• Offer government health plan for all (Health Care)

Note: The cost estimates and descriptions of the above policies were developed with the help of independent think tanks and Senator Obama's economic advisors.

To learn about how to embed the Budget Hero widget to a Web site, visit http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/engage08/budgethero/widget/.

Additional support for Budget Hero has been provided by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Richard Lounsbery Foundation.

Farewell, Beaux Arts

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

Farewell, Beaux Arts

American Public Media's Performance Today Presents an Exclusive Podcast of the Legendary Piano Trio's Final American Concert

(St. Paul, Minn.) August 27, 2008—Capping a 53-year career, one of the world's best-loved chamber ensembles, the renowned Beaux Arts Trio, played its final American concert on Thursday, August 21. American Public Media's Performance Today is offering an exclusive podcast of this historic concert. Beginning on Wednesday, August 27, the concert at Massachusetts' Tanglewood Music Festival will be available in its entirety, in two segments, by visiting www.performancetoday.org.

Led for more than half a century by pianist Menahem Pressler, the legendary Beaux Arts Trio will disband after a series of European concerts in September. With the concert at Tanglewood, the ensemble returned to its place of origin—it played its first concerts there in 1955. The occasion also marked a return to repertoire it made American audiences familiar with over the decades: Franz Schubert's magisterial opus 99 and opus 100 piano trios. The group's three encores will also be included in the podcast.

Fred Child, host of Performance Today, served as host for an exclusive live webcast of the August 21 concert, and he'll provide commentary, features and interviews with the members of the trio: pianist Menahem Pressler, violinist Daniel Hope and cellist Antonio Meneses.

"Their playing was searching and soulful, enough to make any evening memorable," said Child. "But what really touched me was the depth of gratitude I felt surrounding the concert that night. How do you thank an ensemble for 53 years of moving performances? And how does an ensemble thank fans for as many years of rapt listening and support? The trio and the audience wanted nothing more than to express warm and heartfelt thanks...and both did."

In addition to the podcast, the Schubert performances will also be broadcast on Performance Today on Wednesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 28. The show is available through streaming audio at www.performancetoday.org for seven days after the initial broadcast.

American Public Media's Performance Today is broadcast on 245 public radio stations across the country and is heard by more than one million listeners each week. Performance Today features live concerts by famous artists in concert halls around the globe and from the American Public Media studios as well as interviews, news and features. Listeners to Performance Today, on any given day, may hear from performances in the great concert halls of New York, Prague, London, Berlin and Paris.

To find out where and when Performance Today is broadcast in your area, please visit www.performancetoday.org.

Southern California Public Radio to Bring Award-Winning Public Radio Programming to Coachella Valley Beginning August 22

Contact:Betty St. Peter
(213) 621-3471
bstpeter@scpr.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

Southern California Public Radio to Bring Award-Winning Public Radio Programming to Coachella Valley Beginning August 22

(Pasadena, Calif.) August 22, 2008—Southern California Public Radio today announced it will begin broadcasting in the Coachella Valley on 90.3 KPCV starting Friday, August 22. Coachella Valley residents will now be able to tune to 90.3 KPCV for 24-hour public radio news—with the most complete offering of NPR, American Public Media^™ and PRI programming plus award-winning regional coverage from SCPR's News Team.

With a newsroom that has won nearly 200 awards for journalistic excellence, SCPR produces in-depth public affairs programs that address the most important issues affecting the Southland: the weekday programs with renowned columnist Patt Morrison and AirTalk^® with Larry Mantle, and the weekend news, life and arts magazine, Off-Ramp^® with John Rabe.

SCPR is also the local home for public radio's signature programs, including A Prairie Home Companion,^® Marketplace,^® Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Car Talk.

"We are delighted to extend SCPR's service to the residents of the Coachella Valley by broadcasting on 90.3 KPCV," said Bill Davis, President of Southern California Public Radio. "The Coachella Valley is an increasingly important part of the Southland—in terms of population, obviously, but also in terms of its economic, political and cultural impact on the larger metropolitan area. KPCV's award-winning reporting from Steven Cuevas and others will help listeners throughout the Southland have a better understanding about what's happening in the Coachella Valley and vice versa."

Additional programming information for 90.3 KPCV will be available at www.scpr.org.

Southern California Public Radio is the member-supported non-profit organization that operates 89.3 KPCC in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and its repeater station, 89.1 KUOR in the Inland Empire. Bureaus are maintained in downtown Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, and on the campuses of the University of Redlands and Pasadena City College.

American Public Media announces new Weekend America host

Contact: Margaret Ann Hennen
(651) 290-1071
mhennen@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

American Public Media announces new Weekend America host

John Moe named to new position

(St. Paul, Minn.) August 5, 2008—American Public Media^™ announces today the appointment of John Moe as host of Weekend America,^® public radio's show about what's happening around the country this weekend. The program connects listeners to the most fascinating events and stories of the day, through eye-opening, memorable and inventive reports. Weekend America is a news program with a human touch, substance informed by humor—and that's the perfect venue for John Moe.

"John's a veteran, of public radio and also of this show," said Sarah Lutman, American Public Media's senior vice president of Content and Media. "He's been doing segments with us since the start, first as a freelance reporter and later as senior reporter. John is smart, funny, thoughtful, and he connects perfectly with the mission of the show."

Moe begins his new host position on Aug. 16. Before joining the show, Moe hosted many different programs at Seattle public radio (KUOW) and was a staff writer at NPR's Rewind. He continues to write occasional columns for McSweeney's and The Seattle Times, and writes about music, TV and film for MSN.

Desiree Cooper will become a senior correspondent for Weekend America.

"Desiree is a great, natural storyteller," said Peter Clowney, Weekend America executive producer. "Her essays and reports have deepened the program—and now we'll get to showcase Des's talent even more."

Bill Radke is leaving Weekend America.

"Bill has contributed to the sound and shape of Weekend America," said Clowney. "His comfort in front of the microphone, his ease with listeners, and his quick wit are rare skills and ones we know will continue to serve him well in this business. We thank him for everything he has done for the program."

Weekend America is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and American Public Media. It is heard on more than 140 public radio stations nationwide, including in Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, and Boston.

In the Interest of the Public Public Interest Set-aside Is Critical To Justify XM - Sirius Satellite Merger

In the Interest of the Public
Public Interest Set-aside Is Critical
To Justify XM - Sirius Satellite Merger

In 1945, the FCC set aside frequencies in the then new FM band for public service radio. That decision eventually resulted in public radio: NPR, American Public Media, PRI and some 2900 public radio stations throughout America. Today, the FCC Commissioners have another opportunity to demonstrate their obligation to support the public interest. In approving the merger of XM and Sirius satellite radio, they can require conditions that will affect future generations of Americans as much as their predecessors' 1945 decision has.

In a matter of hours or a day or two, the FCC will be creating an unprecedented monopoly in one category of the broadcast spectrum. Rather than the “business merger” approved by the Justice Department, the FCC approval will create a “spectrum merger” monopoly – something few have focused on.

Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate has the final vote on this merger – the swing vote – and the leverage to require appropriate concessions for allowing a monopoly merger. If the FCC approves the XM-Sirius merger without a public interest set-aside of channels receivable by all audiences without obligation, fees or authority of the Sirius-XM management, or without mandating access to local digital radio services, it will be granting an entire technology to one entity with no return to the public. It is similar to their granting the entire FM spectrum to Clear Channel without requiring anything for the public that they represent. Proponents have argued for 25% of the channels for the public interest and minorities. FCC Chairman Martin has suggested 8%. Setting aside 25% of this satellite spectrum would enable 75 national public service stations to be created. The Chairman's proposal of 8% would equate to a mere 24 channels. Somewhere in that range there is a compromise. But what is cruical is that those channels be “open access”. That they be free of control by XM-Sirius. That all Americans with satellite receivers be able to receive them without cost, and that the monopoly operator (XM-Sirius) not be able to dictate programming, channel operators, programmers, or costs.

The current FCC commissioners can be visionary, as their predecessors in the 1940s were, or they can surrender the public airways to a single commercial entity. To do the latter without any gain for the public is unconscionable.

Non-commercial, non-profit broadcasters need long-term assurances of their right to broadcast on these channels in order to justify investment in them. Similar to terrestrial broadcast licenses, a public interest set-aside assures the permanent use of that part of the spectrum. Non-commercial broadcasters should not be at risk of being removed for XM-Sirius business reasons or of having escalating charges for non-commercial use of the channels. For the public good, for the principles of the First Amendment, and to provide some balance to this explicit monopoly, non-commercial broadcasters need to have control of their channels unfettered by the owner of the satellite system.

While NPR, American Public Media and PRI advocate setting aside 25% of the satellite radio capacity (spectrum and booster spectrum), we are most strongly concerned about the independence and open access of whatever spectrum the Commission allocates.

Open access is consistent with the philosophy of public service channels. Open access ensures public access without restrictions, and it is the price the satellite operator should pay for the monopoly use of the remainder of this spectrum.

This set-aside would benefit the public interest through increased diversity of programming on satellite radio. Such expanded diversity would also benefit XM-Sirius as an incentive for consumers to purchase satellite radio receivers.

In addition to a public interest set-aside for the satellite spectrum, the FCC should require that all satellite radio receivers be capable of receiving the new digital radio signals broadcast by local radio stations. This would put local radio on a par with satellite, assure access to local weather and safety information, and partially offset the negative consequences of a monopoly on the satellite spectrum.

With foresight, the FCC Commissioners can leverage the US Congress' investment in public radio. Without the assurance of public interest set-aside spectrum and signal agnostic HD digital radio receivers, the public interest will not be served by this merger.

The FCC's decision sets the path for satellite radio. Will that path continue the American tradition of serving the public interest, or will it serve the private interests of the XM-Sirius monopoly? That decision rests today with the three FCC Commissioners who are voting for this proposal against the objections of the two who do not support creating a monopoly of such unprecedented magnitude. We hope they have not forgotten the American public ñ the people they were placed in office to represent.

Dennis Haarsager	Interim CEO	National Public Radio
William H Kling	President & CEO	American Public Media
Alisa Miller	President & CEO	Public Radio International

July 24, 2008

American Public Media to Cancel Word for Word

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.orgAmerican Public Media to Cancel Word for Word

(St. Paul, Minn.) July 15, 2008—American Public Media^™ is cancelling Word for Word,^™ effective August 8, 2008.

For the last two years, Word for Word has provided listeners with the very best of the nation's speeches from several notable institutions. While American Public Media believes in the importance of Word for Word to bring these speeches to its audiences, American Public Media is continuously evaluating all of its activities, programs and services to determine where it makes the greatest impact and how it achieves its long-term strategic goals.

"American Public Media's accountability to our audiences is the principle guide in our decision-making," said American Public Media COO Jon McTaggart. "A big part of that accountability is spending all of our resources effectively and efficiently.

"Despite our best efforts, the program has not gained significant station carriage," said McTaggart.

American Public Media's American RadioWorks Wins 2008 Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism

Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org

American Public Media's American RadioWorks Wins 2008 Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism

(St. Paul, Minn.) June 10, 2008—American Public Media^™ today announced that its award-winning documentary unit, American RadioWorks,^® has won a 2008 Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism in the radio category for its documentary, "Wanted: Parents." Presented by the Journalism Center on Children & Families, the Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism recognize exemplary reporting on children and families in the U.S.

Wanted: Parents profiles teenagers on the verge of aging out of foster care who agreed to try once more to trust a family. Producers Catherine Winter and Ellen Guettler spent more than a year following a brother and sister as they searched for a family and a home to call their own. The documentary presents their story and the voices of their foster parents, adoptive parents, social workers and child advocates. Wanted: Parents is available online at www.americanradioworks.org.

Judges' Citations: "Adopting an infant is a common story, while finding a home for teenagers living in foster homes is more difficult to tell. A fascinating portrait of teens in the foster care system faced with aging out of state care, as they question whether they are adoptable and whether they want to be. A painfully real story of the ups and downs of finding love, family and permanence."

American RadioWorks will receive its Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism at a ceremony in Washington, DC on October 22, 2008.

American RadioWorks
Based in St. Paul, Minn., American RadioWorks is public radio's largest documentary production unit. American RadioWorks creates documentaries, series projects and investigative reports for the public radio system and the Internet. Its hour-long specials provide in-depth reporting on public affairs, social and cultural subjects and the 20th-century experience. Major funding for American RadioWorks is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. American RadioWorks is on the Web at www.americanradioworks.org.

American RadioWorks on iTunes U
In partnership with Apple,^® American Public Media has created a rich archive of journalism from American RadioWorks and other signature radio programs available on the popular iTunes U platform. Get free, easy access to in-depth audio journalism that spans the globe and expands your mind with downloadable programs and interviews, searchable by subject; printable transcripts; discussion questions; and links to online resources: annotated program notes, primary source information, reading lists and interactive timelines.