WVPE
Encyclopedia
WVPE is a radio station
broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Elkhart, Indiana
, USA, the station serves northern Indiana
and southwestern lower Michigan
. The station is currently owned by Elkhart Community Schools and features programing from American Public Media
, National Public Radio and Public Radio International
. The station has obtained a construction permit from the FCC for a power increase to 11,000 watts.
In 1982, the station added its first full-time staff person and started a transition away from a student lab to serve the public as a public radio service. In 1983, the station started playing jazz, blues, folk and other music
In 1984, it added programming from the public radio satellite such as A Prairie Home Companion
and The Thistle & Shamrock when it joined American Public Radio (now Public Radio International
).
In 1987, the station added its first public radio news programming and qualified for federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
in 1990.
Throughout the 1980s, WVPE grew in its services and audience with a mix of jazz, blues and folk music.
In 1991, the station joined National Public Radio bringing NPR News programming back to the region after a 16-month absence.
In 1995, the station moved to an all-NPR News format with the addition of The Diane Rehm Show
and Talk of the Nation
.
In 2000, WVPE was recognized with awards from Indiana Associated Press
and the Society of Professional Journalists
followed by six awards in 2002 for news coverage (including Best Newscast from IAP, and Spectrum Award from IBA for Best News Story).
In 2003, the station received 11 awards for news coverage including an Edward R. Murrow
Award for Excellence in Sports Reporting.
In 2007 the station's Michiana Chronicles commentary series won a regional Murrow award for writing. The weekly series presents stories and essays by local writers from Michiana
, the region of north-central Indiana and southern Michigan roughly centered on South Bend.
Since 1984 Ole' Harv has done the Blues Revue radio program supporting the blues in the Michiana area. Stream live each Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm EST at www.wvpe.org/blues_revue.html
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The city is located east of South Bend, northwest of Fort Wayne, east of Chicago, and north of Indianapolis...
, USA, the station serves northern Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
and southwestern lower Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The station is currently owned by Elkhart Community Schools and features programing from American Public Media
American Public Media
American Public Media is the second largest producer of public radio programs in the United States of America after NPR. Its non-profit parent, American Public Media Group, also owns and operates radio stations in Minnesota, California, and Florida. Its station brands are Minnesota Public Radio,...
, National Public Radio and Public Radio International
Public Radio International
Public Radio International is a Minneapolis-based American public radio organization, with locations in Boston, New York, London and Beijing. PRI's tagline is "Hear a different voice." PRI is a major public media content creator and also distributes programs from many sources...
. The station has obtained a construction permit from the FCC for a power increase to 11,000 watts.
History
The station went on the air in 1972 as a student operated station.In 1982, the station added its first full-time staff person and started a transition away from a student lab to serve the public as a public radio service. In 1983, the station started playing jazz, blues, folk and other music
In 1984, it added programming from the public radio satellite such as A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion is a live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show runs on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time, and usually originates from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, although it is frequently taken on the road...
and The Thistle & Shamrock when it joined American Public Radio (now Public Radio International
Public Radio International
Public Radio International is a Minneapolis-based American public radio organization, with locations in Boston, New York, London and Beijing. PRI's tagline is "Hear a different voice." PRI is a major public media content creator and also distributes programs from many sources...
).
In 1987, the station added its first public radio news programming and qualified for federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a non-profit corporation created by an act of the United States Congress, funded by the United States’ federal government to promote public broadcasting...
in 1990.
Throughout the 1980s, WVPE grew in its services and audience with a mix of jazz, blues and folk music.
In 1991, the station joined National Public Radio bringing NPR News programming back to the region after a 16-month absence.
In 1995, the station moved to an all-NPR News format with the addition of The Diane Rehm Show
The Diane Rehm Show
The Diane Rehm Show is a National Public Radio call-in show based in the United States. In October, 2007, The Diane Rehm Show was named to Audience Research Analysis’ list of the top ten most powerful national programs in public radio – the only talk show on the list...
and Talk of the Nation
Talk of the Nation
Talk of the Nation is a talk radio program based in the United States, produced by National Public Radio, and is broadcast nationally from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Its focus is current events and controversial issues....
.
In 2000, WVPE was recognized with awards from Indiana Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and the Society of Professional Journalists
Society of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists , formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi, is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists in the United States. It was established in April 1909 at DePauw University, and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn. The ten founding members of...
followed by six awards in 2002 for news coverage (including Best Newscast from IAP, and Spectrum Award from IBA for Best News Story).
In 2003, the station received 11 awards for news coverage including an Edward R. Murrow
Edward R. Murrow
Edward Roscoe Murrow, KBE was an American broadcast journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States and Canada.Fellow journalists Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, and Alexander Kendrick...
Award for Excellence in Sports Reporting.
In 2007 the station's Michiana Chronicles commentary series won a regional Murrow award for writing. The weekly series presents stories and essays by local writers from Michiana
Michiana
Michiana is a region in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan centered on the city of South Bend, Indiana. The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, Indiana defines Michiana as "counties that contribute at least 500 inbound commuting workers to St. Joseph County daily." Those counties...
, the region of north-central Indiana and southern Michigan roughly centered on South Bend.
Since 1984 Ole' Harv has done the Blues Revue radio program supporting the blues in the Michiana area. Stream live each Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm EST at www.wvpe.org/blues_revue.html