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Why We're Postponing The Spring Pledge Drive

Ray Ekness is the director of the Broadcast Media Center.

It’s an event that we’ve never seen in our lifetime. The coronavirus pandemic is not only dominating the news but our lives as well. Here’s an update on what this all means for Montana Public Radio.

First off, the big news is that MTPR will postpone the Spring Pledge Drive. We want to focus our time and energy on keeping you informed about the quickly changing coronavirus situation and providing moments of respite in stressful times. We’ll push back the pledge drive until after we’ve made it through this crisis and it’s again appropriate to celebrate on-air.

Our news team has been working hard to keep you informed during this unfolding situation. MTPR is working closely with our partners at Yellowstone Public Radio to make sure you hear the latest news from around the state. It’s not always easy to find reliable information during times like these, but the news team is committed to delivering trustworthy and timely coverage.

While we’ve had to make some adjustments to our regular on-air schedule, the programs you know and love continue on. MTPR’s program director has been planning specials that help inform and educate, along with music that fills our souls with comfort and joy. The Pea Green Boat team is also working to keep our little ones educated and entertained.

The MTPR engineering and technology teams have been working hard to keep all of our transmitters and translators up and running during the recent March cold snap and extremely windy conditions. Thanks for your patience as we work to solve problems caused by the extreme weather.

Our membership and sponsor support teams are always available to answer questions you may have. We’re all disappointed to postpone what is normally a fun, celebratory week for us and all of you. Right now, we’re living in a time that is anything but normal.

We know you love MTPR for our news, music and program hosts. We hope you will continue to listen and visit mtpr.org for the latest news, arts and music. While you’re there, you can also support the station by making your donation. We are very grateful for the contributions that continue to arrive.

Thanks to all of you for your trust in Montana Public Radio. Please stay safe, keep listening, and reach out to us with your questions or concerns.

Ray Ekness
Director, UM Broadcast Media Center

Ray Ekness was named director of the Broadcast Media Center in August 2016. He’s a former UM School of Journalism professor and department chair of the Department of Radio-Television.
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