# Nebraska Public Media launches dedicated Omaha FM station  
**Published:** 2026-05-27T11:30:07.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/nebraska-public-media-adds-dedicated-fm-station-in-omaha-increasing-statewide-reach/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/nebraska-public-media-launches-dedicated-omaha-fm-station

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Public Media is extending its statewide radio presence with the launch of a dedicated FM station in Omaha, the state's largest city, marking a significant expansion for the public broadcasting network that has long sought to serve all corners of Nebraska.

[According to the Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/nebraska-public-media-adds-dedicated-fm-station-in-omaha-increasing-statewide-reach/), the station on 101.9 FM, formerly known as KOOO, will begin full programming June 15 following a recent acquisition. Nebraska Public Media purchased the station for $1.2 million using accumulated donations, according to Federal Communications Commission filings.

The launch fulfills a longstanding goal for Nebraska Public Media leadership. General Manager and CEO Stacey Decker said previous efforts to partner with existing Omaha stations had not worked out, but the opportunity to acquire KOOO provided the network with its first dedicated radio signal in the Omaha market.

"Omaha is Nebraska's largest city and a major part of the state's story," Decker said. "This station strengthens the connection between Omaha and the rest of Nebraska by bringing statewide news and conversations to Omaha listeners while also helping Omaha's stories reach more Nebraskans."

The station's daytime schedule will feature NPR news anchors Dale Johnson and Omaha native Grant Winterer hosting "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," along with NPR conversation programs such as "Fresh Air," "Here & Now," "Think!" and "On Point." Two newly hired Omaha-based reporters, Jessica Wade and Molly Ashford, will provide local coverage, and the network's legislative reporters will file daily updates when the Nebraska Legislature is in session.

Evenings and overnight hours will feature an eclectic mix of rock, blues, folk and alternative country music reflecting Omaha's history of supporting independent and alternative music, according to Nancy Finken, chief content officer for Nebraska Public Media.

The expansion comes as [federal funding for public media has been eliminated](https://www.npr.org/2026/03/31/nx-s1-5768399/npr-pbs-trump-federal-funding), forcing public broadcasting networks to increase fundraising efforts. Decker acknowledged that the dedicated station in Omaha would aid fundraising and underwriting, but emphasized the primary motivation was serving all Nebraskans.

Nebraska Public Media has maintained a television presence in Omaha since 1965 through KYNE-TV, but the radio expansion into the market is a new development. The network already operates NPR affiliates throughout the state, making this the first dedicated signal in the Omaha area.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/nebraska-public-media-adds-dedicated-fm-station-in-omaha-increasing-statewide-reach/)
- [NPR federal funding elimination and First Amendment ruling](https://www.npr.org/2026/03/31/nx-s1-5768399/npr-pbs-trump-federal-funding)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/nebraska-public-media-adds-dedicated-fm-station-in-omaha-increasing-statewide-reach/.