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Press Releases | |
September 26, 2000
Contact:
WPBX Radio Receives State Grant to Upgrade Broadcast Facilities
Jane Finalborgo
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081Southampton, NY - WPBX 88.3FM, Long Island University's Public Radio Network, has received a $50,000 state grant through the efforts of Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R-L) for the purchase and installation of a new transmitter that will improve service to Long Island residents and ensure uninterrupted broadcast of programs and emergency information.
As the only public radio station licensed to a Long Island based institution, WPBX is in the process of creating a public radio jazz and information service that will provide full-time residents, vacationers, and travelers with entertainment and high quality news programming.
"Public radio is especially well suited to the task of providing alternative programming and in-depth news and information," said General Manager Wallace Smith. "We are grateful to Senator LaValle for his work on behalf of the University and all of Long Island."
One aspect of the new programming that is of critical importance to Long Island residents is broadcast of information during emergencies. WPBX will focus on the development of disaster reporting services that provide full-time residents, vacationers and travelers with essential information during emergencies.
With campuses in Brooklyn, Brookville and Southampton, Long Island University is in a position to provide a reporting base and ready source of journalism students to assist the professional staff in providing residents of Long Island with essential information during a crisis.
The emergency broadcast capability is particularly critical on Long Island because the island is especially vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters ranging from hurricanes to drought-fed forest fires. The East End, where WPBX is located, is subject to an above-average number of power outages from wind and lightening storms and could easily become cut off from vital, often life-saving information.
The proposed new transmitter will be located in Manorville and is expected to be installed by the end of December 2000. It will enable the station to expand its broadcasting capabilities westward on Long Island.
In addition to the new transmitter, the University is building and equipping a new state-of-the-art digital broadcasting and production facility at Southampton College, where the station is located. WPBX broadcasts public radio news and jazz 24 hours a day at 88.3 FM from Southampton College, and 88.1 FM from the C.W. Post Campus in Brookville.
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