Beginning Monday June 2, North Carolina Public Radio - WUNC's daily program "The State of Things" will be heard on WCQS, Western North Carolina Public Radio.
"We’ve thought for a long time this would be a tremendous opportunity for both WUNC and WCQS and the audience of both stations," said WUNC's President Connie Walker. "Now just happens to be the time when the right combination of the will to do it and the ability to do this came together. It’s very exciting. More and more stations are seeking partnerships like this within public radio."
Frank Stasio is a former NPR correspondent who was named permanent host of the program in 2006.
"WCQS has a strong history of service in Western North Carolina,” said Stasio. “I am happy to be working with an organization that shares our values, which include a commitment to public service and quality journalism. This partnership gives us direct access to the people and the stories that make Western North Carolina unique.”
The weekday addition to the WCQS programming schedule follows a successful collaboration between WCQS and "The State of Things" for two live broadcasts of the program during the 2014 Moogfest in Asheville.
“Listeners across Western North Carolina are passionate about this region and this state,” WCQS Program Director Barbara Sayer said. “And we are all acutely aware that what our legislators do in Raleigh affects everyone in the state. WCQS is excited about the prospect of not only sharing news from around the state with our listeners, but also about sharing the stories and issues of this region with public radio listeners throughout North Carolina.”
This collaboration means that "The State of Things" is now heard from Murphy to Manteo. It is something of which Walker is very proud.
"Well, it is pretty cool to say that. It’s such a great phrase and it’s also very true," Walker said. "We’ll have new listeners and interesting guests and topics to cover and can truly move closer to a program that really serves the citizens of North Carolina in a unique fashion. We feel very fortunate to have the coverage we have already, and this is truly more icing on the cake."
The State of Things broadcasts live daily at noon.