WMUB, the NPR radio station based at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, has announced that due to funding issues, the station will likely soon be operated by Cincinnati Public Radio.  (Thanks to RNR listener Thomas Kemp for pointing us to the news.)  The changes are detailed in a news release by Miami, and described on the WMUB website, where they note that WMUB Forum on Friday, January 23rd will be devoted to this topic (live at 9 AM, recording repeated at 7 PM).  This comes only 7 months after they announced significant programming changes to be more competitive and to increase their strategic partnerships, but it sounds like the numbers still don't work.  Miami President David Hodge is quoted as saying that "the financial obligation of WMUB can no longer be borne by the university with the economic challenges we face."

It will be interesting to see what it means to have WMUB operated by CPR.  It could be a way for them to continue some or all of their programming with a new source of funding and other resources, or it could mean that 88.5 becomes a "repeater" for CPR content, and that the Oxford-based station ceases most operations as we've known them.

In this episode: a roundup of recent developments in local and regional news media.  Plus, some new and updated local blogs to check out.  Enjoy!

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Last week, regional NPR affiliate WMUB in Oxford, Ohio announced that the Miami University committee appointed by President David Hodge to make recommendations on WMUB's future has completed its report.  Of the four options laid out in the report, the push seems to be toward "developing the regional connections with existing noncommercial radio stations and adding significant connections with appropriate Miami University academic programs."  The subtext may be additional consolidation and merging of public radio resources in the area.

Also, Palladium-Item online editor Jason Truitt announced that several new features have been added to their online presence, allowing readers to submit stories and photos in a new way, subscribe to online news focused on a particular geographical area in town, and view state and national databases of various statistics.