Welcome to KPR

Licensed to the University of Kansas, Kansas Public Radio began broadcasting on September 15, 1952 and we've been at it ever since. KANU-FM was given the charge to 'play good music'. In 1952, that meant classical music and jazz on long-playing records. In the early years of KANU, the station also was used as 'educational radio' for shows such as The Jayhawk School of the Air. As the station and music format matured, KANU became an all-music station. The station also was at the forefront of broadcasting technology; in 1961, we were the first non-commercial station in the nation to broadcast in stereo.

KANU was a charter member of the new National Public Radio system in 1971, carrying the signature newsmagazine All Things Considered from the beginning. Morning Edition began broadcasting in 1979, and again KANU was among the first stations to carry the show. The 1970s also saw KANU win a Peabody Award for Broadcasting Excellence, begin on-air fund drives and start the Kansas Statehouse News Bureau.

Throughout the 1980s and '90s, KANU continued to add such well-loved programs as A Prairie Home Companion, The Imagination Workshop (which later became Right Between The Ears), The Goodtime Radio Revue, Trail Mix, Piano Jazz and Car Talk. The KANU news staff began Kansas Health: A Prescription For Change, a weekly in-depth series examining health issues of concern to all Kansans.

As KANU headed into its 50th year, we not only expanded our programming but also our coverage area. We added translator stations in Atchison, Emporia and Junction City, allowing us to broadcast to almost all of northeast and east-central Kansas, the Kansas City metro area and northwest Missouri. With that added reach, we renamed the station 'Kansas Public Radio'.

As we begin our second 50 years of broadcasting, KPR is proud and privileged to bring listeners national and international news from NPR, local and regional news, local and national variety and entertainment shows, and lots and lots of 'good music'.

Our Mission: Kansas Public Radio strives to provide the highest quality arts and information programming that inspires, enlightens and entertains an increasing number of listeners.