NPR News and Cultural Arts
  for the Central Valley

1975		White Ash Broadcasting is established in 1975, and in 1976 the FCC issues a Construction Permit for KVPR to begin broadcasting. The station is installed in refurbished studio facilities at 1515 Van Ness in downtown Fresno.
1978		KVPR begins broadcasting in October.
1982		The KVPR transmitter site is moved from the valley to Meadow Lakes. This greatly expands the area reached by the signal and makes possible the establishment of a translator facility to serve the Bakersfield area as well. Also this same year, the KVPR studios are relocated to Warehouse Row on P Street in downtown Fresno.
1983		In honor of Gilbert Rodriguez, a music instructor at Fresno City College, a Memorial Endowment Fund is established specifically to build the station CD library of music.
1985		The FCC approves a Construction Permit for KPRX-FM, a full power transmitter licensed to White Ash Broadcasting, Inc. to serve Kern County.
1985		The KVPR/KPRX Endowment Fund for station operations and special projects is established.
1987		KPRX, Bakersfield begins broadcasting in February.
1987		In October, a capital campaign is launched to raise the funds to relocate the studios and offices of Valley Public Radio to a permanent home.
1988		On May 27th, broadcasting begins from the new facility located in northwest Fresno.
1994		February -The first broadcast of Just the Good Parts is aired. This is a collaborative effort between the Fresno Philharmonic and Valley Public Radio. Conductor Raymond Harvey hosts a program which explores the music to be performed in the upcoming concert at the Philharmonic. This program, produced by FM89, is a recurring series during the Philharmonic concert season.
1994		April - The first broadcast of Valley Writers Read occurs. This is a locally produced program hosted and co-produced by Franz Weinschenk featuring valley authors who read short stories on the air.
1996		In June, a new transmitter replaces the antiquated 25-year-old KVPR transmitter, thus providing FM89 with a more reliable, cost-effective piece of equipment and a back-up transmitter, should it be necessary.
1997		In January, the "Broadcasters' Circle" is formed, comprising individuals who support the station on an above-average level. This founding circle of friends provides the station with ongoing annual support gifts, as well as endowment gifts, for the future.
1997		In April, the production console which served the station for 19 years is replaced due to permanent failure.
1999		The Legacy Society is established in search of ten founding members. Society members contribute $1,000 to the endowment fund of their choice with annual gifts of $250 or more (including membership).
1999		Endowment opportunities are expanded to include Legacy Society, Project Development, Music Library, Technology Projects, General Endowment, and Entrepreneurial Opportunities.
2000		The station launches its website www.kvpr.org
2002		FM89 begins live web streaming on the Internet, providing 24-hour access to its programs from any computer.
2004		FM89 launches the E-Newsletter, keeping subscribers up to date on programming and events.
2005		KVPR replaces the old broadcast antennae at Meadow Lakes.
2006		FM89 installs new digital transmitters for both KVPR and KPRX.
2007		KVPR and KPRX both add fully digital HD (Hybrid Digital) to the new transmitters; FM89 establishes satellite links to deliver KPRX signal.
2008		KVPR fully operational with HD-2 programming in place.