WUFT/WJUF-FM adds new music, news programs

July 23, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Public radio stations WUFT-FM 89.1 and WJUF-FM 90.1 will add some new programs in the broadcast schedule beginning Monday.

Along with new locally produced live weekend music programming, there will also be new encore times for some popular weekend programs, a new weekday news program, and WUFT’s Richard Drake will be the new local host of NPR’s weekday program, “Morning Edition.”

“Our staff has spent considerable time thoroughly examining the programming of our public radio station and we’re all very enthusiastic about these tweaks to WUFT and WJUF’s programming,” said Randy Wright, executive director of WUFT/WJUF-FM. “Our commitment to creating America’s best public radio station continues and this is an example of how the talent on our staff will translate into great public radio for north Florida.”

The programs include:

“BBC News World Have Your Say,” Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m. This live program features a global conversation via blog and call-in and is presented by BBC Global News. The daily topics are set by those that participate.

“Soul Circuit with Margi Hatch,” Saturdays from 8 to 10 p.m. Locally produced, this live program will feature traditional soul, R&B, funk, disco, and more. The two-hour journey will include music from the mid-1940s through the mid-1970s complete with historical tidbits on the artists and their music.

“Ballads & Blues with Steve Seipp,” Sundays from 8 to 10 p.m. Featuring a mix of big band, jazz, and pre-rock/”Your Hit Parade” pop vocals and instrumentals, this local program will encompass everything from Glenn Miller’s Orchestra to Louis Armstrong to Dinah Washington to Johnny Mathis to Oscar Peterson.

“On the Bridge with Kristen Wanner” Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. This local program expands to two hours with the first hour featuring a blend of insurgent country music and the second hour focusing on folk, bluegrass and local artist performances.

The new schedule will also include an encore broadcast of the popular NPR news quiz “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me,” and a new time for the student-produced Spanish language newscast, “WUFT Noticias.”