Austin’s KUT Exceeds Pledge Goal

Despite a slow start amid listener concern over the news about Bob Edwards, KUT(FM) in Austin, Texas has exceeded its spring fundraising goal.
“Morning Edition” and KUT program “Eklektikos,” raised about $154,000 and $118,000 respectively, according to the station.
“We were definitely caught off-guard by the news of Bob Edwards being reassigned from his longtime role of M’orning Edition’ host to the role of senior correspondent, and the timing couldn’t have been worse,” said J. Stewart Vanderwilt, director and general manager of KUT. “Some of our listeners expressed their dismay by not pledging during ‘Morning Edition.’
“Fortunately, the majority of our listeners appreciate NPR’s news programming for rising above the cult of personality that seems to define the airwaves and find KUT to be a uniquely local station that brings them a global perspective through NPR, the BBC (distributed by Public Radio International) and our other local, national and international programs we offer,” said Vanderwilt.