{"id":307,"date":"2018-12-31T16:04:58","date_gmt":"2019-01-01T00:04:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/?p=999933098"},"modified":"2018-12-31T16:04:58","modified_gmt":"2019-01-01T00:04:58","slug":"long-beach-public-radio-hits-the-airwaves-with-a-chorus-of-local-voices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/long-beach-public-radio-hits-the-airwaves-with-a-chorus-of-local-voices","title":{"rendered":"Long Beach Public Radio hits the airwaves with a chorus of local voices"},"content":{"rendered":"

After years in the works, Long Beach finally has a multitude of local voices emanating across the city’s airwaves through Long Beach Public Radio (KLBP). This month, Long Beach Public Media (LBPM) announced that residents of West Long Beach, the Greater Downtown area, San Pedro and Wilmington can tune in to station 99.1FM to listen, while anyone can check out the online stream at klbp.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was driving down the 710 Freeway when I first heard our broadcast come through my car stereo,” said LBPM President Ashley Aguirre in a statement. “It was an emotional moment filled with immense gratitude. For the last three years our board, advisory council and volunteers have devoted countless hours to ensure this moment arrived. And now, it\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n

https:\/\/lbpost.com\/news\/people-post-2\/<\/p>\n

From 17 pre-recorded pilot programs, including the Cosmic Spot with host Michael Walsh bringing listeners experimental and electronic music, to Israel Hour, with Josh Shron presenting a selection of Israeli music, news, discussions and interviews, KLBP’s low-power FM station now airs a 36-hour continuous loop from its transmitter at the Port of Long Beach.<\/p>\n

The shows were selected from a pool of more than 100 submissions, with additional programs to be developed, including segments from Long Beach media outlets LB Report, Padnet as well as the Long Beach Post. And with 168 hours to fill a week, KLBP is looking to take on even more local voices. Shows can be submitted through the website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

KLBP will soon have a studio and educational facility at 209 Pine Ave. thanks to Ron Hodges, owner of Shannon’s on Pine sports bar, who was the station’s earliest backer and donated the space and covered the building costs. At the time of the announcement on Dec. 19, the station’s staff was expected to move in by January.<\/p>\n

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Darick J. Simpson, Executive Director of LBCAP, Ashley Aguirre, President of Long Beach Public Media\/KLBP and Sherry Diamond, a member of KLBP\u2019s Advisory Council gather during a recent studio tour. Courtesy LBPM.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another backer of the project includes the Long Beach Community Foundation, which granted the nonprofit $40,000 from the Knight Foundation to help launch the station.\u00a0LBPM is also running a GoFundMe<\/a> campaign to support its 2019 operating budget and future costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a long history of outstanding community reporting in our city,” Marcelle Epley, President and CEO of the LBCF, said in a statement. “What\u2019s been missing is a radio station to complement the existing media to bring important issues that matter in front of people.”<\/p>\n

On Nov. 26, the Harbor Commission approved a lease to install the station’s antenna on a 168-foot tower on the Port’s property. Since Tuesday, Dec. 18, KLBP has been up and running.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that it has taken to the airwaves, KLBP radio has the potential to become a vital community resource,” said the Port’s communications director, Kerry Gerot, in a statement. “I\u2019d like to thank my Port colleagues for their team effort in helping to support Long Beach Public Media as it begins this exciting new broadcast venture. We look forward to hearing the many stories of Long Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out KLBP’s pilot programs:<\/p>\n