MSPR marks 60 years of broadcasting excellence
On June 15, 2025, Morehead State Public Radio’s WMKY (90.3 FM) will mark a significant milestone—60 years of service to eastern Kentucky. From its humble beginnings with a four-hour broadcast day and just 10 watts of power, WMKY has grown into a 50,000-watt regional powerhouse, offering 24-hour programming and vital public service to more than twenty counties.
“WMKY is proud to celebrate this milestone in broadcasting and service to the region,” said Paul Hitchcock (Class of 1988), general manager of Morehead State Public Radio. “MSPR is the voice for the people of east Kentucky – keeping them well informed, fully engaged, and deeply connected to their community and the world.”
Located in Breckinridge Hall, WMKY is governed by the University’s Board of Regents and has long served as both a public resource and an educational tool. Since its debut in 1965, WMKY has evolved alongside the region it serves, staying true to its mission of delivering educational, entertaining, and informative programming.
“WMKY's service to the region has extended beyond the classroom as one of the University's first distance learning outlets for professors, hands-on student experience and training, and the region's flagship station for emergency alerts to rural eastern Kentucky,” Hitchcock said.
Over the past six decades, nearly 1,000 MSU students have taken on roles as news writers, reporters, production editors, studio announcers, and music hosts, many of whom have gone on to careers in journalism and broadcasting.
Affiliated with NPR since 1980, the station provides a diverse mix of regional news, public affairs, and documentary programming. It also boasts a strong lineup of locally hosted music shows, including classical, jazz, and Americana genres like bluegrass, blues, folk, and traditional old-time music. The station covers various topics, from healthcare and education to agriculture and the arts.
“WMKY’s continued mission is to serve the listeners of eastern Kentucky, especially rural and underserved communities of our broadcast region,” said Hitchcock. “We’re committed to providing public safety information during emergencies and natural disasters, and to being a reliable, trusted voice in times of need.”
From its first major expansion in 1969—when WMKY became the first station in the nation to receive a Department of Health, Education, and Welfare grant to increase its broadcast power—to its transition to a 24-hour schedule in 1999, WMKY has remained a steady and resilient presence in the region’s media landscape.
As WMKY celebrates its 60th anniversary, its commitment to community, student growth, and public service remains stronger than ever.
You can listen to WMKY at 90.3FM online, via a phone app, or through a smart speaker (“Play WMKY”).
For additional information, e-mail Paul Hitchcock at p.hitchc@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2334.
