August 2024 Update: KZYX is currently recruiting for a Lead News Reporter. Please click here for more info.
Until the position is filled, we are working with a fantastic group of stringer reporters bringing all the news from around the county.
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July 24, 2024, Philo, CA - Sarah Reith, former KZYX reporter and recent KZYX News Director, has resigned her position. According to Interim General Manager Dina Polkinghorne, an interim plan is being formulated which will return local news to the airwaves very soon.
“Sarah’s inquisitiveness and curiosity, combined with her eloquence and talent as a writer/reporter, created some of the best investigative reporting to come out over the Mendocino County airwaves in quite some time and we wish her nothing but success in her future endeavors,” said Polkinghorne.
Regarding current coverage Polkinghorne added, “We are formulating an interim plan to cover the staffing gap and a recruitment will begin very soon to find a permanent replacement so we really appreciate everyone’s patience while we sort this out. Our local news coverage will continue to be a quality product that keeps our listeners informed via critical breaking and local news from the county and beyond.”
Besides the personnel changes in the News Department, KZYX, the only NPR affiliate serving Mendocino County, is experiencing several other transitions including staff and board leadership changes and a station headquarters move to the county seat in Ukiah.
Polkinghorne continued, “Presently, KZYX is experiencing some exciting growth through new grants and bolstering the administrative infrastructure to lay the groundwork for potentially larger grants in the future to push the work forward. In addition, after a lull in activities, the construction rehab at the new headquarters in Ukiah is ramping up to start in August. The potential for expansion and sustainability for KZYX is uniquely tied to the move to Ukiah so we’re excited to get some activity rolling at the new site. We are developing a communication plan to keep all our members, listeners, and supporters informed along the way as the move to Ukiah continues.
Susan Baird, the new KZYX Board President who took over the role after Polkinghorne stepped down to move into the interim General Manager position, is shepherding those communication efforts. “Susan has a demonstrable love for KZYX, as evidenced through the many hours she devotes to KZYX each week. We are very lucky to have her at the helm and grateful for her leadership,” said Polkinghorne.
“Having said all that, I need to be really clear,” said Polkinghorne, “while change is exciting and creates opportunities, transitions can also be hard. They can be painful. The three steadfast pillars symbiotically holding up the effort during this season of change is the magic formula that defends us through these sometimes turbulent, transitional waters; the staff, the programmers, and the board. Each piece as important as the next. And of course, none of it would be possible without our members, listeners, supporters and underwriters. We’re so grateful for their continued support of the work we do on their behalf. There are exciting things in store for community radio in Mendocino County – stay tuned!”