Listeners raise $7 million to buy public radio station KPLU

TACOMA, Wash. — The leadership of public radio station KPLU says it has succeeded in raising the $7 million necessary to make the station community-owned.

About 17,000 people and businesses have donated to the campaign to buy the western Washington radio station from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and keep it from being sold to the University of Washington’s KUOW.

The News Tribune reported a public announcement was planned for the station’s afternoon news broadcast.

PLU announced in November that they were selling the station to KUOW. Music fans and news listeners were concerned about what would happen to their jazz and news programming if the sale went through.

Officials at both UW and PLU agreed in December to allow a community-based nonprofit group to make their own offer for the station’s license for the same $7 million KUOW was going to pay.

A new purchase agreement still needs to be negotiated and the sale would be subject to FCC approval.

Associated Press

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