StoryCorps Oklahoma

Despite a valiant effort by KOSU listeners and public media supporters nationwide, Congress has voted to rescind $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

This money had already been promised and budgeted for at KOSU and public media stations across the country. Losing it is devastating, and one NPR estimate shows that roughly 18% of the country’s public radio stations will close imminently, and nearly a third of listeners would lose access to NPR programming.

The rescission package is expected to be signed by President Trump soon, as he initially requested the move from Congress.

To be clear, this does not mean KOSU is going away. Thanks to you, KOSU is set up well for the future. However, this loss of foundational funding will likely result in a reduction of programming or local news without additional support.

1. Support KOSU directly by making a donation, or increasing your existing monthly or annual gift. This is the most effective thing you can do for KOSU. Support from people like you makes up the largest part of KOSU’s budget.
2. Sign up for email alerts from KOSU so you never miss an update. You can do that here.
3. Spread the word. Share this page with your family and friends, and tell them what KOSU's news, information and music service means to you and our community.

Still have questions about how you can help?

Please reach out to us at [email protected].

In the next few days, the U.S. Senate will consider a package that would devastate many public radio stations by clawing back two years of previously approved funding. At KOSU, it would significantly impact our ability to provide emergency alerts and Oklahoma news.

You can help by calling Senator Lankford and Senator Mullin to ask them to resist the rescission because of the impact it would have on Oklahoma. Here is a sample script.

Sen. James Lankford: 202-224-5754

Sen. Markwayne Mullin: 202-224-4721

Don't live in Oklahoma? Check this listing for your Senator's contact information.

Find out more on how you can make a difference at kosu.org/cuts.

KOSU has been hosting conversations between people of differing political beliefs and backgrounds as part of StoryCorps' One Small Step project. This conversation is between Terri Angier and Emily Friedman.

They discuss how their mothers were influential to them. And Emily asks Terri about being away from her parents in Iran during the Iranian Revolution.

Oklahoma City became one of four StoryCorps anchoring their One Small Step initiative for 2022. In this episode of StoryCorps Oklahoma, KOSU's 2021 One Small Step facilitators Matthew Viriyapah and Kateleigh Mills speak with StoryCorps field manager Bess Ser about what that means and how Oklahomans can participate.

KOSU has been hosting conversations between people of differing political beliefs and backgrounds as part of StoryCorps' One Small Step project. This conversation is between Kristi Koures- a high school teacher - and Tristen Lee- a PhD student.

Koures and Lee were KOSU's first in-person One Small Step conversation to be recorded. In their conversation, they talked at length about education, individualism, grief and loss of a loved one - and their separate political journeys.

KOSU's 2021 One Small Step facilitators Matthew Viriyapah and Kateleigh Mills walk you through the conversation ground rules that participants read before the conversation begins.

KOSU has been hosting conversations between people of differing political beliefs and backgrounds as part of StoryCorps' One Small Step project. This conversation features Kristin McAtee, an associate pastor who describes herself as moderate, but typically left leaning, and Marc Dreyer, a former Baptist pastor of 39 years, who describes himself as conservative with some moderate tendencies. The two met virtually to discuss if they think churches should do a better job of healing political divides. 

KOSU has been hosting conversations between people of differing political beliefs and backgrounds as part of StoryCorps' One Small Step project. In this conversation, Kelli Dickerson and Carol Hilborn talk about the lessons they've learned from children and how they view themselves as voters. 

KOSU has been hosting personal conversations between people of differing political beliefs and backgrounds. In this StoryCorps One Small Step conversation, John - a Libertarian from Stillwater, and Olive, a Democratic trans-woman from OKC, discuss her fears coming out and John’s feelings as a parent.

One Small Step participants Nick Zoller and Karen McBee were not only one of the first sign-ups here in Oklahoma in 2021, but were also the first conversation KOSU recorded.

Both Nick and Karen have experiences as educators in higher education. We paired them not only because of their similarities in careers, but because both of them were looking to gain understanding from someone they knew was politically different from them.

Some of their differences included their views on economics and their relationship and journeys with religion. In the audio above, you'll hear just a snippet of their conversation about what led Karen to identify with agnosticism and what Nick's journey has been like, too.