As we begin the new year, I want to start by saying thank you. The outpouring of support we continue to receive from the community during this challenging time has inspired all of us at CapRadio. And with nearly 70% of our funding now coming from people like you, your ongoing commitment plays a crucial role in helping us stay on the air and deliver on our public service mission.
While I am focused on stabilizing CapRadio and moving forward, I know that many of us still want answers about how we got into this situation in the first place. A forensic examination is being commissioned by Sacramento State to determine the origins and causes of CapRadio’s financial problems. More information will be made available once it is complete.
Before I address the upcoming year, I would like to take a moment to recognize the tremendous effort and resilience of our staff. Despite having nothing to do with our current situation, they have endured many hardships as a result, including layoffs, no pay increases, benefits reductions and uncertainty — and yet they remain committed to serving our community each day. Moreso, they are going above and beyond to serve you even better.
As we look at 2024, I want to reassure you that whenever you turn to CapRadio you will receive the high-quality local services and programming from NPR and other partners you expect. While we have a long road ahead, we are not going away — in large part due to the strong foundation of support from our members. We have already implemented a number of new processes and procedures to ensure we are in compliance with CSU requirements and best practices, and our finances are being managed by Sacramento State.
We are making notable progress by streamlining operations, increasing cross-team collaboration and prioritizing local audience service. You will now hear significantly more live local newscasts and headlines during weekdays. Our music team is working with our newsroom to provide arts and culture coverage, and they are spending more time engaging with our community. Our flagship local news show, Insight with Vicki Gonzalez, is collaborating more with our newsroom and music team to take deeper dives into stories around the region.
I am also excited to share that Insight with Vicki Gonzalez is moving from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting on Tuesday, January 16, in addition to a rebroadcast at 7 p.m. This change offers several benefits to our audience. Not only will a much larger number of people be able to listen live to the show at noon, but it also allows the team to be more responsive to major events that occur in the morning, providing timely analysis and conversations when our audience needs it.
As we head into a presidential election year, CapRadio and NPR are voices of truth that act as an essential watchdog for American democracy. We will be here to offer the independent, fact-based news, resources and analysis that you need — from our state capital to our nation’s capital. And you can always turn to our classical music and jazz station for joy and respite.
2024 is a big year for CapRadio, our community and the nation, and we will rise to the occasion so we can navigate it together. Thank you once more for your commitment to CapRadio, and happy New Year!
Tom Karlo
Interim President and General Manager