Local Radio Station Says It’s Bringing Back Some Form of News Talk Show

Recently and rather unexpectedly, the call-in news talk show airing on WPPA-AM 1360 called “Step Up to the Mic” was pulled from the airwaves.

That left many of its listeners and callers angry at the radio station. A lot of those people said they were going to litter the station’s Facebook page with comments demanding they return the show to the air.

In a recent statement posted to the A-106/T-102 Facebook page, station management says it’s having “internal discussions” about bringing back a news talk show and posting more local news on its website.

It cites the recent change in ownership and staff cuts at the Republican Herald newspaper as an impetus for having these talks at their Pottsville Broadcasting Co. headquarters.

Longtime listeners to Step Up to the Mic don’t sound very encouraged that they’ll have a chance to participate in this new talk show, however.

“Not listening till they bring back step up to the mic,” someone wrote on an A-106/WPPA Facebook post.

And the statement from the station seems to hint at them going the more traditional/boring route with their news, namely posting press releases and being “positive” in their approach. It doesn’t sound like their favorite radio program is coming back any time soon, either.

“T-102 and A-106 would also like to give YOU in the community the option to deliver news or give your opinions in an online format. Similar to a Community Corner this would be an open-forum posting to allow the local community to inform on area events and topics as well as giving your opinions to local news and issues,” the statement reads.

It adds, and this is part of the statement that really discourages the canceled show’s listeners, “We need to have the local community topics you expect, but with some guardrails and broadcast parameters in place to keep the show going with a positive flow of information.”

Listeners knew what that was code for, apparently. Many believe the original show was pulled from the air because of political pressure put on station ownership.

“The best example of WOKE CANCEL CULTURE, Skook Style, in the past 3 years,” someone wrote in response to one of the station’s Facebook posts recently.

Subscribe to Coal Region Canary

Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!

Support Coal Region Canary

Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...