Civic Media Begins Rollout of Hometown Radio Stations Dedicated to Local News, Talk and Sports Throughout Wisconsin
August 1, 2022 11:10 AM CDT
MADISON, Wis. August 1, 2022 – Civic Media began rolling out a network of Wisconsin hometown radio stations dedicated to local news, talk, and sports programming in the communities of Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids today, with more stations slated to go on the air in the summer and fall of 2022. Civic Media’s mission is to serve the community with engaging, thoughtful, and fun commentary on the topics that matter most to local audiences, including current events and news relevant to the areas covered by each of its respective radio stations.
WXCO, Bull Falls Radio, covering Marathon county at 1230-AM and Wausau at 98.9-FM, transitions from its prior sports and community format to Civic Media’s community and news/talk schedule today.
WFHR, Locally Grown Radio, broadcasting at 1320-AM and 97.5-FM in Wisconsin Rapids, covers several central Wisconsin counties and communities, including Stevens Point, Marshfield, Waupaca, and Wautoma. It will retain and expand community programs while replacing most of its music with news and talk shows focused on Wisconsin.
At least four more stations are slated to join Civic Media’s new network over the next three months, covering large portions of the northwoods, the Fox Valley, and southwestern Wisconsin.
“Our democracy depends on the health of our communities and our ability to build respectful dialogue with our neighbors,” says Sage Weil, CEO of Civic Media. “Over the past two decades, local newspapers have closed or cut staff, while corporate ownership of broadcast radio and television has further eroded access to quality local news. Today it is easier to remain informed about what is happening in Washington, DC than in our own community, and that increased focus on national politics has helped drive political polarization. At Civic Media we believe the path to finding common ground begins with quality, honest, fact-based coverage of local news, and respectful discussion of those issues that affect all of us in our local communities, whether it is clean water, the revitalization of Main Street, or the administration of our elections.”
Civic Media’s new stations in Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids will coincide with the launch of the UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow, Wisconsin’s new home for daily conversations about the state’s latest headlines and stories. It’s a radio extension of what UpNorthNews founding editor Pat Kreitlow premiered in January 2020 as a website, social media posts, and a daily newsletter—a place for fact-based news coverage that is informative, conversational, and not afraid to stand for something. While dedicated to Wisconsin hometown radio, the daily UpNorthNews program can also be heard live on multiple online platforms. Pat is a longtime Wisconsin journalist and former state legislator who lives in and produces the show from along Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls. His new radio show will make its debut in Wausau on Bull Falls Radio, live weekday mornings from 8-11 a.m. at 1230-AM and 98.9-FM.
“We believe radio has a crucial role to play in helping local communities stay connected,” added Weil, “but we aim to meet listeners wherever they are. All of our stations are available to stream online via connected cars, phones, smart speakers, and via social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.”
Civic Media is dedicated to providing quality broadcast and digital hometown radio with a focus on local, regional, and state issues, covering the stories that are most relevant to the communities we serve. We believe radio plays a crucial role in our local communities, so we broadcast quality local news, local sports, and open, honest commentary that advances the understanding and engagement of our audience.
For more information, please contact info@civicmedia.us.
