As 2007 comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to offer my personal thanks to you-WKSU listeners-for “giving” your ears to our station, for your enthusiasm and interest in the programming that we offer to you throughout the year, and for your support (financial and otherwise). It truly has been a wonderful year for WKSU, and I look forward to continuing to sharpen and improve everything that you hear on the WKSU Stations and everything that you see and read on wksu.org.

Along the lines of making continuous improvements and listening to your comments and suggestions about how to do just that, we have made a decision to return to All Things Considered programming at 6 p.m. on weeknights, eliminating from that time slot Your Way Home, WKSU’s half-hour news magazine that featured regional news stories (a recent survey indicated that more than 70% of our listeners preferred ATC at 6 p.m.). This does not mean that we will neglect our commitment to reporting on the news of the region. In fact, our commitment is stronger than ever, and our plan is to integrate reports from our exceptionally talented and dedicated news team into daily Morning Edition and All Things Considered programs. With this change, you can expect to hear even more in-depth stories on health care, the environment, economic growth, education, etc.

Our two-year venture with Your Way Home was a valiant effort, and I certainly thank everyone who supported our quest to produce a local program that was dedicated to the news of the region, especially Paul Perantinides. I learned from my predecessor, John Perry, that success comes to those who take calculated risks and who are smart enough to walk away from things that do not advance the station’s mission or increase audience satisfaction. In this case, we are taking John’s “walk away” advice.

In other changes and as the New Year begins, we say goodbye to reporter/producer Daniel Hockensmith, who leaves WKSU to take a position at Crain’s Cleveland Business. Daniel, who recently was named Best Reporter in Ohio by the Ohio Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, will have opportunities to hone his reporting talents on assignments in other countries, and we certainly wish him all the best. It is a loss for WKSU but a gain for Crain’s and for a wider audience that will benefit from Dan’s outstanding reporting work.

Again, best wishes in the New Year. I look forward to continuing our “chat’s” and encourage you to write to me whenever you have a comment or question about WKSU.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 28th, 2007 at 1:26 pm.