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For immediate releaseA meeting to craft strategy to save Peoria Public Radio from vanishing has beenscheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, at Lakeview Library, 1137 W.Lake Ave., Peoria. Concerned citizens are convening the meeting and the public isinvited.According to news media reports, Bradley University plans to merge Peoria PublicRadio, its NPR station, WCBU-FM, with the NPR station in Bloomington/Normaloperated by Illinois State University. Peoria likely would lose local news andcultural coverage enjoyed by the city for 48 years.Peoria Public Radio over the years has received millions of dollars in publicsupport from its listeners, said to number 30,000 today. It broadcasts classicalmusic and local news and national talk shows. It also has a broadcast channel forthe visually impaired. It broadcasts the Peoria City Council meetings and localmusical concerts. All of this would be in jeopardy with a merger.In a secretive procedure, Bradley University officials reportedly have decided tosend the station to ISU without any consultation with those who have supportedit for years. There are many unanswered questions about what is going on.The meeting will seek to find ways to keep Peoria Public Radio in Peoria, perhapswith another local not-for-profit organization, or to persuade Bradley officials tokeep this station, which benefits the university as its best local outreach to theregion.The public is urged to attend this important first step in saving Peoria Public Radiofor Peoria.More information: Elaine Hopkins ehopkins7@prodigy.net 309-231-5758.A Facebook page has been posted: https://www.facebook.com/Save–Peoria–Public–Radio–271984940145370/?modal=admin_todo_tour or search “Save Peoria Public Radio”