OPB Radio's Classical Music Program Performance Today Moves to All Classical 89.9FM in January

All Classical 89.9FM will begin airing Performance Today January 15, 2007 immediately following the departure of the program from Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB Radio) on January 12.

Spokespersons for both OPB and All Classical 89.9FM say that they believe the move will be a good one for a variety of reasons.

"All Classical 89.9FM has significantly strengthened its signal, providing non-commercial classical music programming 24 hours a day," said Steve Bass, OPB president. "They've done a remarkable job of building a fine classical music station and have become the preferred station for those who want classical music during most of their listening day."

"We warmly welcome Performance Today and Portland native, Fred Child to our airwaves," said Sarah Shelly, executive director of All Classical 89.9FM KBPS. "And equally important, we're encouraged by the spirit of cooperation and collaboration shown by the management team at KOPB. I predict great things ahead for both stations and for all public radio listeners," added Shelley. KBPS will broadcast Performance Today from 5-6pm weekdays.

According to Bass, the transition of Performance Today to KBPS also allows OPB Radio (91.5FM in Portland) the opportunity to strengthen its weekday core news and information service with high-caliber programs such as Here and Now and World, Have Your Say.

Here and Now, a news magazine featuring fast-breaking news, arts, entertainment and human-interest stories, will begin airing weekdays beginning January 15 at 9 a.m.

Directly following Here and Now, OPB will offer World, Have Your Say, a "ground-breaking, live, global-talk program from the British Broadcasting Company (BBC)," Bass noted. Together, the programs will complete the entire 9-11 a.m. broadcast slot previously filled by Performance Today.

Performance Today will be found not only on All Classical 89.9FM in Portland but also on KQHR 90.1FM in Hood River.

Starting January 15, The Writer's Almanac will be available via OPB.org.

Please refer to the directory below to find a classical music station nearest you.

Portland: KBPS 89.9FM (KBPS)
Salem: KBPS 89.9FM, KWAX 91.1FM
Corvallis/Albany: KWAX 91.1FM
Eugene: KWAX 91.1FM
Bend/Redmond: KWRX 88.5FM (KWAX)
Hood River/The Dalles: KQHR 90.1FM
Pendleton (LaGrande): KFAE 89.1FM
Florence (Yachats-Reedsport): KWVZ 91.5FM (KWAX), KWAX 91.1FM
Newport: KWAX 91.1FM
Lakeview: KLMF 88.5FM (JPR)

OPB Co-Production Honored for Journalistic Excellence in Covering Drug and Alcohol Problems

FRONTLINE: The Meth Epidemic, a co-production of Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), The Oregonian and WGBH (Boston), has just received the prestigious Nancy Dickerson Whitehead Award, honoring journalists who have "demonstrated the highest standards of reporting on drug issues." The award was presented to producer Carl Byker at a ceremony in New York City earlier this month.

The hour-long documentary, inspired by a series of articles by award-winning Oregonian reporter Steve Suo, examined the meth crisis in and beyond Oregon. OPB expanded upon this work with a series of programs on OPB TV, OPB Radio and the Internet tracking the impact of meth on individuals, families and communities, and what is being done to combat the problem.

The Nancy Dickerson Whitehead Award was the first in the nation to recognize excellence in reporting on drug and alcohol problems.

"This is a huge honor for this documentary to be acknowledged with such a prestigious award by people who know the human cost of meth addiction," said Steve Bass, president and CEO of Oregon Public Broadcasting. "We're pleased that through this type of reporting we have been able to play a part in bringing awareness to the severity of the problem and helping affect changes in laws that make it harder for meth dealers to obtain this drug. And we began a dialogue in our community that continues today to assist those in trouble because of this terrible drug."

FRONTLINE: The Meth Epidemic will be rebroadcast on OPB TV on January 30 at 9pm.

About the Nancy Dickerson Whitehead Award
During her long and distinguished career as a broadcast journalist, Nancy Dickerson Whitehead reported on many critical social concerns, including the nation's problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Her thoughtful analysis increased public understanding of these complex issues and reflected her own deep commitment to finding more effective answers. As a member of the Board of Directors of Drug Strategies, a nonprofit research institute in Washington, D.C., she worked to develop programs and policies to reduce substance abuse.

These awards honor Nancy Dickerson Whitehead's efforts to improve media coverage of drug issues. The awards are given annually to two journalists, one from print media and one from broadcast (radio or television), who have demonstrated the highest standards of reporting on drug issues.

Performance Today Moves to All Classical 89.9 FM in January

On January 12, 2007, Performance Today will leave OPB Radio, the same day production of Performance Today shifts from NPR to American Public Media. Starting January 15, 2007, Performance Today will be broadcast on All Classical 89.9 FM in Portland and KQHR 90.1 FM in Hood River.

The move of Performance Today to KBPS provides OPB with the opportunity to further strengthen its core news and information service. Beginning January 15, OPB will introduce Here and Now, a news magazine featuring fast breaking news, arts and entertainment, and human interest stories.

Directly following Here and Now, OPB will air World, Have Your Say, a ground-breaking, live global talk program from the BBC.

Also starting January 15, the Writers Almanac will be available via OPB.org.

Please refer to the directory below to find a classical music station nearest you.

Portland: KBPS 89.9FM (KBPS)
Salem: KBPS 89.9FM, KWAX 91.1FM
Corvallis/Albany: KWAX 91.1FM
Eugene: KWAX 91.1FM
Bend/Redmond: KWRX 88.5FM (KWAX)
Hood River/The Dalles: KQHR 90.1FM
Pendleton (LaGrande): KFAE 89.1FM
Florence (Yachats-Reedsport): KWVZ 91.5FM (KWAX), KWAX 91.1FM
Newport: KWAX 91.1FM
Lakeview: KLMF 88.5FM (JPR)

One Economy, Oregon Public Broadcasting Introduce the Meth Take Action Web Site

In Oregon, methamphetamine usage has passed marijuana by becoming the second-most abused drug by adults. To explore this devastating local issue and help facilitate solutions to the problem, Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and national nonprofit One Economy Corporation have teamed up to produce an English/Spanish Web resource. Drawing from OPB's multi-platform initiative, "Meth: The Oregon Front," this new resource focuses on educating visitors to the Web site about the impact of Meth on individuals, families and communities, as well as connecting people to information and resources throughout the state. The Meth Take Action Web site is hosted on One Economy's bilingual consumer Web site, the Beehive.

"OPB is pleased to be part of this innovative partnership," said Steve Bass, president and CEO of OPB. "We're gratified that the body of work we have done on this problem will continue to affect progress in finding solutions to this epidemic facing Oregon and the nation," said Bass. More information on OPB's meth initiative is available at www.opb.org/meth.

Meth Take Action features information and interactive content concerning methamphetamine, including warning signs of addiction and avenues for treatment. The national version of OPB's content will be available on more than 30 Beehives across the country. One Economy will feature this new content from Oregon Public Broadcasting within the Beehive's Health/Salud section. The Beehive is a national Web site that was launched by One Economy in 2001, educating users about issues like child care, transportation, housing, homework help and other relevant life tools. Since its launch, nearly nine million individuals have visited the site in both English and Spanish.

"One Economy's mission is to maximize the potential of technology to help people improve their lives," said Rob Bole, vice president, Western Region of One Economy Corporation. "We're proud to partner with committed organizations in Oregon such as Oregon Public Broadcasting, to empower families with the tools and resources they need to improve the quality of their lives."

This content and marketing partnership will serve as a model for future alliances between One Economy and Oregon Public Broadcasting.