December 2019

On Air & Online

Celebrate The Season With WPR

WPR listeners can enjoy a host of special programs now through the beginning of the new year. Tune in to The Ideas Network as "Chapter A Day" presents a special edition of “A Christmas Carol” from our 1979 archives, and Santa Claus returns to the "Larry Meiller Show" on Christmas Eve. From "Carols With The Eau Claire Master Singers" on Christmas Day to "New Year's Concert From Vienna" on Jan. 1, the NPR News & Classical Music Network features holiday favorites from here and abroad. You’ll also hear seasonal music on both networks on "Simply Folk." Find the full holiday schedule here.

Find Your Next Great Read With The NPR Book Concierge

Catch up on the most recommended books of 2019 with the NPR Book Concierge. Using an extensive list of filters, the NPR Book Concierge helps you sort through more than 300 recent titles to find the perfect book with just a few clicks. WPR staff submitted 14 of those titles to the Book Concierge this year.

Check out the 2019 NPR Book Concierge.

And if you're interested in music, see these nearly two dozen best-of- 2019 music lists in many genres, curated by NPR.

WPR/E. Clark

Behind the Scenes

Meet WPR's Sports Reporter Megan Hart

Wait, WPR has a full-time sports reporter? It’s true. Megan Hart joined WPR this month. Based in our Green Bay offices but assigned to the whole state, Megan will report on the intersection of sports and society. That could be anything from economics to the environment to race and culture. “There’s lots of great storytelling in sports,” she says, “a lot of really human stories that are of interest to people whether or not they watch ESPN and keep up with all the scores.”

Read more about Megan Hart.

WPR/J. Potter

Welcome Ezra Wall, La Crosse Regional Manager

Join us in welcoming Ezra Wall as WPR's new La Crosse regional manager. Originally from La Crosse, Ezra has worked for the last 12 years at Mississippi Public Broadcasting, where he served as managing editor of its news department and helped create talk programming.

As regional manager, Ezra will lead WPR's regional team of journalists, producers and staff, build relationships with community partners and serve as executive producer for the local current affairs program "Newsmakers." His first day at WPR was Dec. 9.

Learn more about Ezra Wall.

A. DeTour

Around Wisconsin

Hear David Sedaris In Madison And Milwaukee

WPR is pleased to welcome bestselling author and frequent NPR contributor David Sedaris to Wisconsin this spring, following the release of his latest collection “Calypso.” He’ll be at the Overture Center in Madison on April 27, 2020, and at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee on April 28. Don't miss this chance to see the beloved writer, known for his humorous and revealing personal essays and short stories. Both shows include new stories and recollections, an audience Q&A, and a book signing.

Get tickets to the Madison show.

Get tickets to the Milwaukee show.

Soundbites Fifty Years At WPR

WPR Music Librarian Dennie Ryan celebrates fifty years of employment with WPR this month. For some of the changes he's seen, from the typewriter to the internet to the birth of Vilas Hall, read the full story here.

Host Changes At NPR Shows

The end of the year brings some transitions. With Joshua Johnson’s departure from “1A,” the NPR show is looking for a new host. Find "1A" weekdays at 1 p.m. on The Ideas Network. And the much-admired show and podcast "Radiolab" continues without one of its co-founders. Read this lovely note from Robert Krulwich about his reasons for leaving.

Travel To Croatia And Slovenia With Lori Skelton

Journey along the Adriatic coast with classical music host and “Central Time” contributor Lori Skelton, May 26 through June 6, 2020. Find out more and book now at wpr.org/travel.

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