This latest donation to will fund critical equipment upgrades and infrastructure repairs at KLRE’s transmitter site, including replacing a transmitter damaged by a 2023 lightning strike and purchasing a refurbished building to safeguard the station’s vital equipment.

“We are incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor, whose continued generosity demonstrates a deep commitment to preserving KLRE and its classical music legacy for future generations,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio. “This second gift allows us to complete essential equipment upgrades and infrastructure repairs at the transmitter site, ensuring KLRE remains a vital cultural resource for our community.”

Little Rock Public Radio had already started work at the KLRE transmitter site by removing overgrown trees that were in danger of hitting the transmitter during storms, updating the lighting system, and purchasing a backup transmitter. The gift ensures that listeners will continue to enjoy the rich tapestry of classical music, reaffirming the station’s vital role in the community’s cultural landscape.

“This second gift is incredibly meaningful to us at Little Rock Public Radio, as it reflects how deeply someone cares about preserving classical music in Arkansas,” said Grace Zafasi, director of development for Little Rock Public Radio. “Classical music may not always be commercially viable, but its cultural and emotional value is immeasurable. Support like this ensures that we can continue providing access to the arts for communities that might not otherwise have it. We are committed to being excellent stewards of this gift and look forward to bringing quality classical music to central Arkansas for generations to come.”

Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, Little Rock Public Radio, home of K����Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is a public service unit of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and K����Vlog��ýR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.

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The funding will bolster collaboration efforts among K����Vlog��ýR in Little Rock, K����Vlog��ýF in Fayetteville, and KASU in Jonesboro – the state’s three NPR affiliate public radio stations – to support the production of high-quality, independent news reporting that informs and empowers communities across the region.

“This is a growing trend in public radio where newsrooms in a state or region have formed collaborative shared newsrooms to help eliminate the duplication of efforts and the strain of resources,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio. “I see this as an opportunity to explore how we can expand our collaborative newsroom efforts among the three NPR stations, which will eventually help us cover more ground in Arkansas and provide more news coverage for a greater number of communities in the state.”

This award is part of a funding initiative aimed at helping provide more independent news coverage of the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) population, which represents the growing number of individuals and families who are working but unable to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and health care.

A part of the funding will also be used to pay for reporters’ travel expenses so that Little Rock Public Radio staffers can travel to more communities in Arkansas, especially those with limited access to local news coverage.

“This award is extremely impactful,” Seaborn said. “You are seeing more philanthropic organizations come together to help fill the void in funding as more and more parts of the country become news deserts. The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation sees the shrinking of local, independent newsrooms as a detriment to society, and they are committed to keeping local journalism alive. We are extremely appreciative of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation for their continued support of Little Rock Public Radio and the positive impact this will have on Arkansas public radio.”

Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, Little Rock Public Radio, home of K����Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is a public service unit of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and K����Vlog��ýR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.

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The substantial donation comes at a key time for the classical music station, which is in need of equipment upgrades and infrastructure repairs at the site of KLRE’s transmitter.

“We have an anonymous donor who knows about these issues and cares very much about preserving KLRE for future generations,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio. “In the future, we will probably need between $250,000 and $500,000 to complete the needed repairs at the transmitter site. This gift allows us to get started on the work and is a huge step in the right direction for KLRE.”

Little Rock Public Radio had already started work by removing overgrown trees that were in danger of hitting KLRE’s transmitter during storms. The unexpected gift ensures that listeners will continue to enjoy the rich tapestry of classical music, reaffirming the station’s vital role in the community’s cultural landscape.

“This gift means a lot to us at Little Rock Public Radio, especially knowing that someone out there cares so much about classical music in Arkansas,” Seaborn said. “Most people would guess that classical music isn’t always commercially viable, even though it brings immense joy and culture to the world. We need the support of the community to ensure continued access to the arts in communities that otherwise wouldn’t have access. We are excited to be good stewards of this gift and want to bring quality classical music to central Arkansas for decades to come.”

Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, Little Rock Public Radio, home of K����Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is a public service unit of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and K����Vlog��ýR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.

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This transformative change reflects our deep commitment to the vibrant communities we have been privileged to engage with over the decades. While our name has evolved, our dedication to delivering unparalleled news, informative content, and captivating programming that embodies the spirit of central Arkansas remains unwavering.

Little Rock Public Radio is more than just a name; it’s a representation of the heart and soul of our community. Our programming will continue to provide a trusted source of connection and inspiration, weaving together the stories, voices, and music that define us.

“As we celebrate 50 years of Public Radio in central Arkansas, this rebranding represents a fresh chapter in our shared history. We believe that our new name better captures the essence of our community, and we are excited to continue our mission of fostering meaningful conversations and connecting neighbors,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio.

Our listeners can look forward to a dynamic range of new programs that will appear this year to reflect the diversity and vibrancy of central Arkansas. Thought-provoking discussions, enriching content, and captivating stories will continue to be the cornerstone of our programming lineup. This evolution reinforces our pledge to serve as a beacon of reliable information and a catalyst for positive change.

Little Rock Public Radio’s commitment to the central Arkansas community has never been stronger. This rebranding not only celebrates our past accomplishments but also propels us into an exciting future, one where we can better unite our community through the power of the airwaves.

We want to express our gratitude to our listeners, supporters, and partners who have been integral to our journey. Your unwavering enthusiasm and trust have fueled our growth and evolution. Together, we eagerly anticipate the new adventures that lie ahead as Little Rock Public Radio.

For more information about the rebranding and upcoming programming, between Seaborn and News Director Daniel Breen, stay connected with us through our website at , and follow us on social media @LittleRockPublicRadio.

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“As ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio reaches its golden anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on the impact it has had on our community over the past 50 years,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. “From music and news to community events and local stories, the station has been a staple in Arkansas, connecting people through the power of radio.”

The 2023 Spring Fund Drive will run from March 13-17. ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio has a goal of raising $100,000 and adding 100 new sustaining members to their loyal group of supporters.

To make your donation even more impactful, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio has secured a generous matching donation from several community partners. For every dollar you donate during the fund drive, it will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of your contribution.

Donors who give during the spring fund drive may qualify for an NPR water bottle, tickets to Colony House at The Hall, Arkansas Ballet tickets, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra tickets, and other great giveaways.

“Your support will help us continue to bring you the news you trust from K����Vlog��ýR and the classical music you hold dear on KLRE,” said Grace Zafasi, membership director at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. “We are committed to providing quality programming without interruption, and our fund drives are our way of raising the money we need to keep our station running. We would love for you to join us in celebrating 50 years of public radio in central Arkansas and to support us in our mission to provide high-quality programming for many more years to come.”

Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is a public service unit of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and K����Vlog��ýR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.

To make a donation during the spring fund drive, please call 501-916-6400 or give online at .

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����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is the home of K����Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5 and serves as the region’s NPR news and information provider. Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE), ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is a public service unit of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock where university students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members.

“Jonathan brings with him a wealth of experience in university-associated public media and deep ties to public media nationwide,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, CHASSE dean. “He is an ideal candidate to lead the stations in delivering the local news and programming that is essential in our community.”

A native of Abilene, Texas, Seaborn is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in creative media industries. Following college, he went on to work for his alma mater as an adjunct professor and producer, production director, and finally chief content officer at Texas Tech Public Media. During that time, he’s won four Telly awards, three Lone Star Emmy Awards, three best documentary awards, and one public media award.

After eight years at Texas Tech Public Media, he is ready to take on a new adventure leading ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio, which has around 80,000 listeners per week.

“I am very excited by this new opportunity,” Seaborn said. “I’ve been met with nothing but passion and enthusiasm from the staff, the Friends of K����Vlog��ýR/KLRE, and the public. With their appreciation and love for the stations, it’s obvious that ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is well respected and loved in the community.”

Seaborn added that it’s “bittersweet” to leave a good work environment like Texas Tech Public Media where he works with some of the best people in the industry.

“But it makes it easier to know that I am walking into a similar situation with people who are just as excited and talented,” he said. “I am eager to get to Little Rock and get to work.”

Seaborn will be joined by his wife Lyndsey and their six-year-old daughter Isla. He succeeds Nathan Vandiver, the former general manager who moved to Portland, Oregon, last year when his wife joined the Federal Public Defender’s office.

“With this transition, it is imperative that we recognize the service outgoing GM Nathan Vandiver provided during the last months as he managed the stations remotely to allow us time to do a thorough, nationwide search,” Estes said. “My deepest gratitude goes to him and the station staff for their consistent dedication to public radio and their shepherding of the stations into Jonathan’s leadership.”

One of Seaborn’s first tasks will be to lead a search to replace News Director Michael Hibblen, who left ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio at the start of the new year to join Arkansas PBS. Seaborn has been in contact with Hibblen and looks forward to collaborating on future public media projects.

“That will be an important position to fill quickly,” Seaborn said. “I know Michael Hibblen is an institution at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio, but it’s comforting to know that he’s not too far away.”

In addition to filling some key positions, once he takes the reins on Jan. 17, Seaborn plans to concentrate on developing a strategic plan for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio, building community engagement, and modernizing distribution plans.

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