Wisconsin Public Radio For Immediate Release Contacts: Jeffrey Potter, Marketing Director Ph: 608-890-3908 or [email protected]

Sheryl Gasser, Program Director of The Ideas Network Ph: 608-263-4117 or [email protected]

The Ideas Network Of Wisconsin Public Radio Announces New Weekday And Weeknight Schedule

Madison, Wis. – As veteran host Kathleen Dunn retires, Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) announces the addition of 1A to The Ideas Network schedule beginning August 14. 1A will air from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, replacing The Kathleen Dunn Show. Science Friday will continue to be heard each Friday at 1 p.m.

"Listeners who enjoyed The Kathleen Dunn Show will find 1A covers similar topics with a familiar in- depth approach,” said Sheryl Gasser, Program Director of The Ideas Network. “Joshua leans into topics like health care, immigration, science and pop culture in a way that is compelling and informative. We're excited to have his voice in Wisconsin."

With a name inspired by the First Amendment, 1A explores the politics, technology and pop culture that connect and divide America today. Listeners can expect a mix of several segments in each hour while staying close to the news of the day. 1A is produced by WAMU in Washington, D.C. and distributed by NPR.

“If it wasn't for Wisconsin, there might not be a ‘public radio’. We owe your state a lot!,” host Joshua Johnson said, referring to WPR’s centennial legacy as the oldest public radio station in the nation. “Hopefully 1A helps repay that debt with the kind of engaging, compelling and meaningful conversations you helped invent.”

Johnson’s professional background has him well prepared to host 1A. He began his career helping to launch a unique partnership between south Florida’s NPR news station, WLRN, and The Miami Herald. He served for more than five years as the morning newscaster for KQED in San Francisco. Johnson also co-created and hosted the public radio series Truth Be Told, an exploration of race in America, before joining WAMU and eventually hosting 1A which launched in January this year.

The Ideas Network is also making some changes to its weekday evening schedule. The CBC’s daily news and culture round up As It Happens will now air weekdays at 7 p.m., and the arts and entertainment interview show q will move to 8 p.m. At 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, WPR is adding the BBC’s Newsday, offering more global perspectives on the news of the day, business and sports. Additional changes include the 10 p.m. move of the investigative news program Reveal on Monday, the national Latino news and culture program Latino USA on Tuesday, WPR’s award-winning show To the Best of Our Knowledge on Wednesday and Thursday, and the storytelling show Snap Judgment on Friday. Also, the storytelling program The Moth replaces Dinner Party Download Fridays at 9 p.m.

(MORE) “The Ideas Network continues to grow and evolve every year, offering a remarkable mix of programs,” WPR Director Mike Crane said. “Wisconsin favorites, like The Larry Meiller Show and programs with new perspectives on Wisconsin, like Central Time are complemented by the best news and entertainment from NPR and public radio producers around the world.”

A complete schedule for The Ideas Network is available at wpr.org.

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Editor’s note: Please find attached a royalty-free photo of 1A host Joshua Johnson, Credit: Stephen Voss.

Suggested caption: WPR welcomes Joshua Johnson and 1A to The Ideas Network August 14.

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