First, Fast and....Not So Accurate.

In a world that has been transformed by non-stop cable TV news coverage and instant feedback on Twitter and Facebook, every shred of information and opinion gets spread far and wide, and fast and furious. And, in many cases, that's not a good thing.

Some of us have been around long enough to remember the TV and radio news slogans of "First, Fast and Accurate."  Now, thanks to the twitterverse and the never-ending effort to be first with every single piece of a breaking story, often accuracy moves way into the back seat...and sometimes decency seems to be road-kill.

Just ask CNN after a roller-coaster day of back-tracking on erroneous reporting this week regarding the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing.

But it's not just the fast and wrong reporting that's troubling, it's the widespread need for some to offer opinions that can be - well - disturbing.

Most of us aren't surprised when it comes from Mount Vernon's own Glenn Beck, who just won't let go of his debunked Obama/Saudi Boston bombing conspiracy theory.

Or maybe you heard about the California radio morning show that got yanked after supposedly making jokes about the Boston bombings.  You can read about it here.

And then there was the Minnesota radio morning show host who is apparently tired of hearing about the families of the children murdered in Newtown. He say's they can "go to hell."  If you find that hard to believe, listen here.

You know what they say about opinions, right?

Hearing and reading about some of this shoot-from-the hip reporting and over-the-top opinions makes me thankful for the more thoughtful and straight-forward information you can always hear on public radio stations, even NPR...and on stations like KSER.  I'm always glad we have voices like Amy Goodman and John Hockenberry.  Reasonable voices like Ed Bremer and Dick Gordon and Sondra Santos.

But that's my opinion.

Happy KSER New Year - 2013

Happy New Year from everyone at KSER.

We're honored that you've made KSER part of your listening habit in 2012 and we look forward to continuing to serve the Pacific Northwest in 2013.  We couldn't do it without your support.

We feel like all 365 days of KSER broadcasting in 2012 were highlights...but a few events do stand out more than others.  In October, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! came to Everett to support KSER and spoke before a standing-room only crowd at Everett Community College.

Amy Goodman at Everett Community College

In November we were honored to present the 5th annual KSER Voice of the Community Award Ceremony.  This year's awards were presented to the Snohomish County Music Project; MS Helping Hands of Edmonds and Lillian Ortiz-Self.

Roger Pawley; Jan Vance; Lillian Ortiz-Self

Every week of 2012, KSER's Ed Bremer featured local newsmakers and community leaders on Sound Living, weekday afternoon's at 4 p.m.  One of the top stories featured in 2012 was the closing of the Kimberly-Clark paper mill and the debate over what to do with the valuable water-front property.  A number of local leaders talked with Ed about the future of the Kimberly-Clark site, including Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson talked with Ed Bremer

You'd be amazed at the famous people who want to be interviewed by KSER's Ed Bremer.  In July, we had an in-studio visit from Ben Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin

Dozens of local bands and musical artists visited KSER during the year, including Left Hand Smoke; Sightseer; Northern Departure; Tony Lucca, Ian McFeron and a lot more.

In September, KSER's Sondra Santos was named a hero. Really! By the government, no less. The Snohomish Health District presented its Public Health Hero award to the host of KSER's morning news show for her weekly interviews on health issues in the northwest.

Suzanne Pate; Sondra Santos; Dr. Garry Goldbaum

Speaking of health, our own KSER doctors answered your questions every Thursday afternoon for 52 weeks in 2012. Primary Care Physicians Kasra Pournadeali, Rebecca Dirks, and Stacy Wells, have been answering listener calls live on KSER since 1998. This summer the weather was so nice, we actually moved them outdoors in August...to do a live show from the sidewalk on Wetmore avenue. Now that's taking the doctors to the people!

KSER's Sidewalk Doctor Show

In 2012 KSER's Jim Hilmar celebrated 15 years of hosting Frettin' Fingers, the popular Saturday guitar music show and KSER's Jeff Hofman, host of Dusties on Saturday afternoon, marked 25 years of doing public radio.

Jim Hilmar; Jeff Hofman

We started what we hope is a long-running new tradition this holiday season with the first ever Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater Kaddywompas Holiday radio show.  Tim and his crew are working on a few more specials...maybe more...for 2013.

Tim Noah

And, actually, 2013 is an important anniversary for our predecessor.  KRAB-FM started broadcasting 50 years ago.  One of the country's first true community radio stations started broadcasting as December turned to January in 1963. In 1991 KRAB became KSER and moved to Snohomish County. In 2003 we moved to our current location in Everett.

If you'd like to make sure that great independent public radio continues in the north Puget Sound, you can help with a donation. Most of our operating income comes from individual listeners like you.  It's easy to make a contribution.  You can go to our website KSER.org and click on the 'donate now' button.  We're a non-profit and your contribution is tax-deductible...a great way to get one more deduction before the end of the year.

Some people also take advantage of our easy-to-use automobile donation plan.  You can also do that online here. It's fast and easy, we do all the paperwork. And you may be eligible for a tax deduction.  Running or not, we'll be happy to help.

And if you accidentally left somone off your holiday gift list, you can support KSER and buy a nice gift for someone at the KSER Store.

So thanks for your support and thanks for listening to KSER.

And Happy New Year!

Packed House - Amy Goodman in Everett

EvCC Campus

It's one thing to have the nerve and stamina to set up a tour of 100 cities in 100 days.  But imagine doing it without missing work!?

Amy Goodman's Election 2012 Silenced Majority Tour rolled into Everett this weekend and the KSER listeners packed Jackson Conference Center at Everett Community College loved every minute of it.

Amy Goodman at Jackson Center  by Christophoto

 Amy and Denis Moynihan, co-authors of The Silenced Majority, both spoke to the sold out crowd and Amy spent more than an hour going beyond the mainstream media’s obsessive focus on the latest poll numbers and candidate gaffes. She told great stories about how people are organizing; how the massive influx of campaign cash following the Citizens United decision is changing how our democracy works and she campaigned for support of independent public radio stations around the country.  She reminded the crowd how lucky we are to live in a community that does have an independent station....because many cities and towns do not have a KSER.

Amy Goodman; Denis Moynihan  by Christophoto

Amy and Denis started this whirlwind tour at the political conventions and not only have they not missed a scheduled event, but, as regular KSER listeners know, Amy has figured out a way to not miss a single one of her daily radio shows.  Not just her regular daily shows, but she's also done special coverage from the conventions and special coverage of each of the four political debates including her own Democracy Now "Expand the Debate" coverage which included third-party candidates.

Amy Goodman signing books at EvCC  by Christophoto

During her talk, Amy told the crowd of KSER listeners “There is no longer a mainstream media, it’s an extreme media.”  She said balanced reporting of topics is no longer the norm, pointing out that of nearly 400 newscasts by four major broadcast stations about the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 logged only three reports with anti-war leaders.

And she talked about some of the people she knows in the television news world, who she referred to as 'personalities' and not journalists, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd. "Television tends to quote the same pundits who are talking in a circle, It is a waste of precious airwaves."



She reminded the audience that when Occupy Wall St. started, in the media capitol of the world, right under the noses of mainstream media, it was ignored for nearly a week by the major networks even thought the reporters, anchors, producers and executives had to fight their way through the thousands of protesters just to get to work.

“What we need is media to cover power, not cover for the power,” she said. “It’s the Fourth Estate, not for the estate.”

Amy's inspiring message and tireless efforts are a good reminder of  the importance of KSER and the hundreds of other independent radio voices in the U.S.  We can't thank Amy Goodman, Denis Moynihan and their staff enough for making this visit to Everett and helping to support KSER.

Thanks also to KSER's Sondra Santos for being on hand to introduce Denis and Amy; and thanks to the KSER volunteers and board members who helped with tickets and seating for the event.

But mostly, thanks to our listeners and contributors who support KSER and help make sure the North Puget Sound has an important independent voice.

If Amy's views inspire you to help in that effort, whether you made it to her talk yesterday or not, you can always help support KSER here.

We learned two important things this weekend: Next time Amy comes to Everett, we need to rent a bigger auditorium. And don't get in Amy Goodman's way when she has a plane to catch for her next stop in supporting public radio!

True Stuff....or Stuff I Made Up?

Sometimes, it can be challenging to separate fact from fiction; truth from lies; reality from fantasy; chicken salad from....well....other chicken stuff.

So here's the first ever KSER Manager's Corner quiz: True? Or Stuff I Made Up?

Two popular KSER DJ's have been working since the start of the exhibition season as replacement refs in the National Football League. In fact, one of them was involved in the controversial interception-into-touchdown call in the Monday Night Football game at Century Link this week.   True? Or I made that up?

Two popular KSER DJ's are actually big award-winners. The two have won Best Blues DJ awards from the Washington Blues Society's Best of the Blues Awards.  True? Or Made Up?

The Romney/Ryan Campaign, in an effort to sway undecideds at the event, has purchased a huge block of tickets to the upcoming Amy Goodman visit to Everett. It means your opportunity to purchase tickets may expire soon. True? Or Made Up?

A government agency can name someone a hero.  Not only can they, but the Snohomish Health District gave KSER's Sondra Santos paperwork naming her a hero. True? Or Made that one up?

The KSER studio building on Wetmore Avenue in Everett has been named by Architectural Digest as one of America's Top 10 aesthetically pleasing buildings.  True? Or Dude, have you been in that building?

One of the replacement refs in the NFL pre-season was actually fired by the Lingerie Football League a year ago for incompetence. That can't be true? Can it? Or Made up?

Not only can you help contribute to KSER by purchasing shirts, jackets, dog sweaters, aprons, water bottles and teddy bears at the KSER store, you can also get 10% off orders over $40 until October 5th. True?  Or That ain't true, I'm not gonna click on this link.

KSER will provide live coverage of the 3 Presidential debates, and the Vice-Presidential debate. The first one is next Wednesday, October 3rd at 6 p.m.  True? Or Made Up? 

Jim Hightower, who does regular commentaries afternoons on KSER may be a hard-hitting progressive, but he was once an elected official...in Texas!!  True? Or No Freakin' Way?

The one Vice-Presidential debate will be moderated by Howard Stern. True? Or Made Up?

The new and improved KSER Facebook page utilizes cutting-edge fiber-optic technology which allows us to turn your computer monitor into a high-def camera. We can see you when you're on our Facebook page. So, please, get decent before clicking KSER's Facebook page. The naked truth. Or Horsehockey.

Not only is Amy Goodman coming to Everett Community College on October 27th (and you can get tickets here), but they're going to have her speak in, of all places, the Henry M. Jackson Conference Center. That's True Or No way. Polar Opposites!?

Mark Hale, who does a hard-hitting progressive commentary, "Sand in the Gears" on KSER, was Johnny Carson's first sidekick on the Tonight Show.  True? Or Made Up?

Not only are all the DJ's on KSER hard-working volunteers, but the station's Board of Director's are also all volunteers.  And more than 50% of the operating costs of KSER comes from listener contributions.  True? Or That's can't be True, Can it?

The whole Gangnam Style rage was actually started by KSER's Ed Bremer during a slow news-week. True, I think? Or Totally Bogus?

Contrary to conventional wisdom, listening levels actually increase....we're talkin' through the roof...during KSER Pledge Drives. (It can be a little difficult at first to understand why, but if you want to try to figure it out, make sure you listen frequently during the 10-day KSER pledge drive that starts this Friday.)  Really, really true. Or C'mon, Man.

It is considerably easier to write a blog post when about half of it is stuff I made up. True? Or One More Thing I Made Up?

KSER's Sondra Santos - Officially a Hero!

Who says we don't have heroes at KSER?

First of all, anyone who is willing to get up at 3 a.m. every morning, while it's still dark, drive thru rain or snow, just to be on the radio by 5 a.m. is already a hero. But now, the Snohomish Health District has made it official.

Suzanne Pate; Sondra Santos; Dr. Gary Goldbaum

The agency presented its Public Health Hero Award to Sondra Santos, morning host on KSER. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated unparalleled support of local public health activities or policies in Snohomish County.. 

Not only is Sondra on-the-air for all of the morning shows on KSER, doing news, traffic and weather updates during Democracy Now and the Takeaway but she also hosts a wide range of public affairs programs throughout the week. Every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. she interviews various Health District staff experts.

Sondra Santos; Dr. Gary Goldbaum by Christophoto

Since the Health District’s debut on KSER in September 2011, Sondra has hosted 47 different segments devoted to educating listeners about public health programs and services to the community. She interviewed Health District staff experts on topics that touched most aspects of community health, communicable disease, environmental health, and public health emergency preparedness.

The Snohomish Health District's Public Information Officer, Suzanne Pate, does a great job every week arranging to have one of their staff experts available to talk with Sondra on KSER about timely health issues. 

“Sondra Santos has significantly developed the community’s understanding of local public health through her radio program,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, Director and Health Officer of the Snohomish Health District. “We commend Ms. Santos for her sustained effort, and greatly appreciate our partnership with KSER for their collaborative spirit.”

So now, technically, not only is Sondra an award-winning reporter...but she's also a hero. And she's got the paperwork to prove it!

Support KSER; Protect the Cute Bear!

Please Help Protect the Bear

Alright, we really wouldn't hurt the bear. It's just a cheap, warm and fuzzy gimmick to get your attention. Speaking of warm and fuzzy, have you been watching the well-coiffed, finely-clothed, made-up cable TV news stars 'reporting' from the political conventions?

And do you know who is hardly ever described as warm and fuzzy?  Amy Goodman.

We've heard an awful lot of feedback the last two weeks about Amy Goodman. It's not that she's not special the other 50 weeks of the year, but last week and this week, Democracy Now is an hour longer and even more special than usual as Amy covers the political conventions.  Last week she was in Tampa for the Republican convention; this week Charlotte and the Democrats.

Sure, the big cable TV networks have been covering the conventions...their way. And they've got their major anchors strategically positioned at professionally designed and magnificently lit sets 'analyzing' the speeches.  But, if you've been listening to Amy in Tampa and Charlotte, you know she is asking tough questions of all sides and offering insight you don't get too many other places.

Last week when the TV cameras conveniently missed Mitt Romney's handshake with one of the Koch brothers on the convention floor, Amy talked about it.  She did an extensive interview on the Romney campaign war-chest and where the money came from. She had extensive coverage of the convention floor chaos between the RNC and Ron Paul delegates. This week she's spent considerable time covering protestors at the DNC in Tampa who have basically been penned up away from the convention center.

But if you've been listening to her two-hour special every morning at 7 a.m. on KSER or the one-hour replay at 5 p.m. there's one thing you haven't heard: commercials. That's because like most of the radio stations around the country that carry Democracy Now, KSER is an independent public radio station. We're a non-profit, community resource that is able to operate and provide independent programming thanks to your support.

And it's not just Amy Goodman and Democracy Now. It's the TakeAway every morning at 6 a.m. and the Story with Dick Gordon every afternoon at 3 p.m.  It's the morning information from Sondra Santos and Sound Living with Ed Bremer every afternoon at 4 p.m.  And that's just the news and public affairs shows! If you're a regular listener to KSER you know we have a broad range of great music every evening and weekend featuring many up and coming local artists.

So how are we able to fund a full-time radio station with no commercials?  Well, actually we don't. You do it.  So we just wanted to say thanks if you've supported us in the past or if you continue to support KSER with recurring donations.

If you haven't contributed yet, but you'd like to make sure that at least some of the airwaves include voices like Ed Bremer's and Amy Goodman's...here's how you can help.  KSER begins it's 10-day-long Fall Pledge Drive on September 28th. If you listen then, you'll hear a number of easy ways to contribute. Or, you can beat the rush! Take 4 or 5 minutes now to make an easy tax-deductible online donation here.

Of course if you're one of those people who wants to contribute and brag about it, you can buy shirts, hats, tote-bags, mouse pads, aprons, dog-sweaters, iphone cases and just about anything else...yes, even that cuddly bear...at the KSER store.

Thanks!