KPLU supporters say they’ve raised $1 million to save station from sale to UW

The effort to wrest radio station KPLU from a deal that would transfer it to the University of Washington has raised $1 million, a spokeswoman for the Save KPLU campaign announced Friday.

“This milestone was made possible by hundreds of KPLU supporters who pledged their support for an independent, community licensed 88.5,” stated Brenda Goldstein-Young, director of community outreach and events for the Seattle- and Parkland-based public station, in a release Friday.

Joey Cohn, KPLU general manager, stated: “We still have another six million dollars to raise by June 30th, but we’re off to a fast start. I want to offer my thanks to everyone who has pledged so far.”

A purchase of the license by the Friends of 88.5 FM would mean the station would become independent under oversight of a community-based governing board, the release said.

“The presidents of Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Washington mutually decided to allow a community group to make an offer for KPLU,” the group stated. This decision followed an announcement that UW would buy the assets of the station, keep the jazz format but transfer its news programs to the university’s own station, KUOW.

The decision by both schools to allow a modification to the sale agreement followed a request by KPLU’s Community Advisory Council comments by listeners opposed to the transfer.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 5:22 PM with the headline "KPLU supporters say they’ve raised $1 million to save station from sale to UW."