Wisconsin Public Radio launches new Twin Ports station

Listeners to Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) in the Twin Ports region have a reason to celebrate. WPR’s newest station – WSSU 88.5 FM – is now broadcasting in the Duluth/Superior area. The station, 88.5 FM, carries WPR’s NPR News and Classical Music Network, expanding coverage currently carried on WHSA 89.9 FM out of Brule.

“The new 88.5 FM gives listeners access to award-winning journalism from both NPR and WPR reporters, WPR-produced national shows like “Whad’Ya Know?” and “To The Best of Our Knowledge” plus music programs featuring classical, jazz, folk and world music,” noted Mike Crane, WPR’s director of radio. The new station, which broadcasts from a tower located in Duluth, provides listeners in the Twin Ports and surrounding communities the strongest signal for WPR’s diverse mix of news, music and entertainment.

Support for the project has been partially secured through grants from the Wisconsin Public Broadcasting Foundation and the Wisconsin Public Radio Association. WPR is reaching out to listeners and friends to raise the final $50,000 for the project. The campaign, called “The Twin Ports Connection,” is part of an effort to connect northern communities across the state to WPR’s service. A similar effort to expand service in the Chequamegon Bay region last summer was successful.

“WSSU 88.5 FM will do for the Twin Ports listening area what butter does for bread: Make a good thing even better!" said chancellor emeritus for UW-Superior and long-time advocate for WPR’s classical music service, Julius Erlenbach. John Munson, WPR’s northern regional manager in Superior, will oversee operations at the station.

If you’re interested in making a gift to the project, contact Ginger Alden, WPR’s director of major giving, at (715) 212-3130 or email ginger.alden@wpr.org. More information about the project, including a map of the expanded coverage area and donation information, can be found online at www.wpr.org/twinports.

Tags: news, wisconsin, superior, entertainment