KNPR (88.9 MHz, "News 88.9") is a non-commercial, listener-supported, public radio station in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned by Nevada Public Radio and it airs news and talk programming from National Public Radio (NPR) and other public radio networks. The studios and offices are in the Donald W. Reynolds Broadcast Center on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada.[2]

KNPR (KNPR)
Broadcast areaLas Vegas metropolitan area
Frequency88.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingNews 88.9 KNPR
Programming
FormatPublic Radio - News - Talk
SubchannelsHD2: Classical (KCNV simulcast) HD3: Jazz (KUNV simulcast)
Affiliations
Ownership
OwnerNevada Public Radio
KCNV, KLKR, KLNR, KTPH, KVNV, KWPR
History
First air date
March 24, 1980; 44 years ago (1980-03-24) (at 89.5)
Former frequencies
89.5 MHz (1980–2003)
Call sign meaning
Nevada Public Radio or National Public Radio
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID79047
ClassC
ERP22,000 watts
HAAT1,190 meters (3,900 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
35°57′55″N 115°30′02″W / 35.9652°N 115.5005°W / 35.9652; -115.5005
Translator(s)See § Translators
Repeater(s)See § Repeaters
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websiteknpr.org

KNPR is a Class C station. It has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 22,000 watts. The transmitter is on Potosi Mountain in Blue Diamond, Nevada.[3] Programming is simulcast on a network of repeater stations and FM translators around Nevada. KNPR broadcasts using HD Radio technology.[4] Its HD2 subchannel carries classical music from co-owned KCNV 89.7 FM and its HD3 subchannel carries jazz and other music from KUNV 91.5 FM, owned by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and broadcast from its School of Journalism.

Programming

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KNPR carries a news and information format with most shows provided by NPR and other public radio networks. Weekday programs include Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, Here and Now, The World and Marketplace. The BBC World Service runs overnight. KNPR produces a local hour of interviews and talk, State of Nevada, hosted by Joe Schoenmann. It is broadcast live at 9 a.m. and is repeated at 7 p.m.

On weekends, KNPR airs one-hour specialty shows, including This American Life, Reveal, Bullseye with Jesse Thorn, Travel with Rick Steves, Live Wire, Latino USA, It's Been A Minute, Snap Judgment, Radiolab, The Moth Radio Hour, Hidden Brain, The TED Radio Hour, On The Media, Sound Opinions and Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. KNPR also publishes a magazine about Nevada living, Desert Companion.[5]

 
Former logo

History

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A group of Las Vegas-area residents started "Nevada Public Radio" in 1975 as a non-profit organization.[6] The group wanted to bring public radio to the state. It sought a construction permit from the Federal Communications Commission to build a station.

KNPR signed on the air on March 24, 1980; 44 years ago (March 24, 1980).[7] It was founded by Lamar Marchese.[8][9][10] KNPR was the first NPR member station in Nevada. (KUNR in Reno signed on in 1963 but didn't join NPR until 1981.)

In its early years, KNPR carried a mix of NPR news programs along with classical music. At first it broadcast at 89.5 MHz. The studios were at 5151 Boulder Highway. The station was powered at 7,500 watts, one-third of its current output.

By the early 2000s, Nevada Public Radio wanted to have two stations to serve both audiences, those who wanted to hear news and information and those who preferred classical music. In 2003, KNPR moved to 88.9 and switched to a full time news and talk format. Classical music moved to a new sister station, KCNV at 89.7.[citation needed]


Repeaters

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID FCC info
KLKR 89.3 FM Elko, Nevada 174342 LMS
KWPR 88.7 FM Lund, Nevada 90472 LMS
KLNR 91.7 FM Panaca, Nevada 48350 LMS
KVNV 89.1 FM Sun Valley, Nevada 172600 LMS
KTPH 91.7 FM Tonopah, Nevada 48356 LMS

An additional transmitter, KSGU at St. George, Utah, was sold to the Educational Media Foundation in 2020.

Translators

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID FCC info
K219LM 91.7 FM Lake Havasu City, Arizona 48355 LMS
K201AD 88.1 FM China Lake, Etc., California 28593 LMS
K219AV 91.7 FM Beatty, Nevada 49873 LMS
K208BB 89.5 FM Laughlin, Etc., Nevada 48353 LMS
K201HX 88.1 FM Mesquite, Nevada 48357 LMS
K210ET 89.9 FM Moapa, Etc., Nevada 48352 LMS
K207CY 89.3 FM Round Mountain, Nevada 92879 LMS
K201BF 88.1 FM Scotty's Junction, Nevada 49874 LMS

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KNPR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Contact us or submit a story".
  3. ^ Radio-Locator.com/KNPR
  4. ^ https://hdradio.com/stations/ HD Radio Stations
  5. ^ "Desert Companion".
  6. ^ KNPR.org/About-Nevada-Public-Radio. Retrieved Aug. 8, 2024
  7. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1984 page B-161. Retrieved Aug. 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "KNPR founder trades radio for international portraiture". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
  9. ^ "Leaving her mark on Las Vegas' culture, arts scenes - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. 26 March 2007.
  10. ^ "KNPR – Las Vegas, Nevada – Case Study". The Harwood Institute. 3 February 2016.
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