October 12, 2004

KBSS/NPR News 91 In the River Valley With Full Power
Signal at 91.1 FM Increased From 8 Watts to 700 Watts

91.1 FM in Sun Valley has been successfully upgraded to a full-power radio station, KBSS. The radio station upgrade is the latest in a series of radio stations that carry the NPR News 91 signal to towns and cities throughout western, southern and central Idaho. NPR News 91 has been in the Sun Valley area since 1990, operating on a low power, 8 watt “translator.” The new station on Seattle Ridge operates with 700 watts and a new, optimized antenna. KBSS was built with funds raised from listeners in the Wood River Valley and matched by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The station operates as a traditional FM analog radio station; however, it has been equipped to take advantage of a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting which will soon allow KBSS to become the first digital radio station in Idaho. While the rough terrain of the Wood River Valley area sometimes prevents radio signals from being able to serve every location, this power and antenna improvement for KBSS will result in a significantly increased overall signal. Fundraising for the construction of KBSS was led by a steering committee of valley residents, including Kristine Bretall, Bob Gertchen, Kathy Noble and Wendy Jaquet. NPR News 91 provides programs such as Morning Edition, Fresh Air, Day to Day, Talk of the Nation, The Tavis Smiley Show and All Things Considered from National Public Radio. In addition, the station carries other public radio favorites such as the BBC World Service, As it Happens and This American Life. Boise State Radio also provides the KBSW classical and arts service via an on-air translator in Ketchum at 93.5 FM. Cox Cable-TV customers can also pick up KBSS and KBSW by connecting their FM radio to the cable: KBSS appears at 91.5 FM and KBSW at 90.3 FM. Boise State Radio provides news coverage from throughout the Pacific Northwest, with staff reporters in Boise, Twin Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Reporters provide additional news coverage from Seattle, Portland, Olympia, the Tri-Cities and throughout the region. From Boise State University, NPR News 91 originates from KBSX Boise and is also heard on KBSY Burley; KBSJ Jackpot, Nev.; KBSQ McCall and now on KBSS Sun Valley. Details on all of the stations and programs of Boise State Radio are available at http://radio.boisestate.edu. -30- Contact: Jim East, General Manager Network Programming, Boise State Radio, (208) 947-5659, jeast@boisestate.edu  Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, communications and marketing, (208) 426-3275, kraven@boisestate.edu