WFHB expands coverage

For over ten years, WFHB has served the IU and Bloomington communities.The station runs national and international programs, music from around the world and local news in a format that can't be found anywhere else in Indiana.\nThe last year has seen major changes for WFHB. Since coming off its best fundraising year ever, undergoing management changes and redefining the community that it serves, WFHB says it has re-committed itself to local, national and international news.\n"We want to become an integral part of what Bloomington is," said Ryan Bruce, WFHB's general manager. "We wanted to mix national and international news in with local news to fulfill audience needs."\nThe radio station has begun to air worldwide newscasts, including BBC World News Hour. The program, which is transmitted via satellite, comes into the local studio at 8 a.m., live from London. \n"We wanted to provide an alternative source of news and public affairs outside of the perspective that was being provided by the American mainstream media," Bruce said. \nBBC World News Hour is one of the most listened-to news programs in the world.\nTwo new programs the station has picked up seek to challenge the mainstream view and provide a local forum for local issues. The first is "Free Speech Radio News," a program assembled by several local radio stations throughout the country. \n"It's not NPR," said Bruce. "It's another alternative to what the big dogs are putting out there." \nThe second, "Firehouse Forum," is a roundtable discussion that runs every evening at six, right after "Free Speech Radio News." "The Firehouse Forum" has recently held popular debates on the proposed smoking ban in public buildings in Bloomington.\nThe station also maintains its dedication to music. "Music is still the backbone of what we do," Bruce said. "But adding the news programs provide a valuable public service to the community." \nWFHB runs on two frequencies, 91.3 and 98.1 to provide for Bloomington's unique needs. The higher frequency can more easily penetrate thick limestone walls, such as the Indiana Memorial Union and similar buildings around Bloomington. \nWFHB is held together by 150 or more volunteers a week. \n"WFHB runs primarily on volunteer power," said Chad Carrothers, news director of the program "Local News Hour." "This is the only kind of program of its kind in Indiana, and we're very proud that we have the volunteers to support it." \n"Local News Hour," which airs nightly from five to six, provides local news as well as local reaction to national and international news. "We only cover local response to national news," said Carrothers. "We're not covering the war, only local peace rallies, protests and other reactions." \nVolunteer Grace Pennington spends several hours a week working on both sides of the microphone. She serves as a sound engineer and an on-air anchor. \n"There's such a variety of information on WFHB," Pennington said. "We cover world news, high school sports, local interests. I think the station does a really good job"