Capital Public Radio’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the end of its management of NSPR and KHSU. The Sacramento-based station plans to complete a full transition by November.
The Board unanimously approved a budget yesterday that sets aside four months worth of “transition” funding for NSPR and KHSU. During that time, CapRadio will take steps to put control of the stations back into the hands of their license holders, Chico State and Cal Poly Humboldt. The Sacramento-based station said it will also restructure NSPR and KHSU for financial sustainability.
“We intend to actually ensure that it becomes even more robust and more of an integration between the Chico community, our service region, the North State, and Chico State in the years to come.”— Leslie Cornick, Chico State provost
Leslie Cornick, Chico State’s provost, said the university is looking forward to managing NSPR.
“We intend to actually ensure that it becomes even more robust and more of an integration between the Chico community, our service region, the North State, and Chico State in the years to come,” said Cornick.
But Chico State is currently facing a budget deficit of more than $32 million, and it hasn’t made clear how NSPR will be funded or operated by the university.
Reactions to the decision were mixed at CapRadio. During the public meeting, employee Mike Nelson said taking on NSPR and KHSU was a mistake.
“Why do we own this other station somewhere to the north of us? That was never explained to me in any sort of way,” he said.
Patti Stoltz, a union representative for CapRadio, NSPR and KHSU said the move threatens to weaken local news.
“Many of us believe that splitting up the company and starving NSPR and KHSU of the resources they need, is not being good stewards of the airways and of the people that they serve,” she said.
CapRadio took over operations of NSPR in 2020 and KHSU in 2021. The Sacramento-based station hoped to strengthen local journalism especially in Northern California.
However, Capital Public Radio has faced serious financial shortfalls due to mismanagement and alleged theft. It sued its former general manager in January claiming he embezzled at least $900,000.
During the station’s board of directors meeting yesterday, General Manager Frank Maranzino cited CapRadio’s financial situation as the reason for returning operations of NSPR and KHSU to their respective universities.
“Many of us believe that splitting up the company and starving NSPR and KHSU of the resources they need, is not being good stewards of the airways and of the people that they serve.”— Patti Stoltz, CapRadio, NSPR and KHSU union representative
Maranzino said that giving Chico State and Cal Poly Humboldt control over the stations allows them to be more flexible with business models and creates opportunities for more student internships.
Though the budget is set for four months, the CapRadio Board says it intends to continue providing financial support until the transition is finished.
And following NPR’s protocol for reporting on itself, no NSPR or Cap Radio management reviewed this story before it was broadcast. NSPR's broadcast licenses are owned by Chico State. It does not oversee our news production or programming.
