Commerce, Texas -- KETR is celebrating a major milestone this week: 50 years on the air. The National Public Radio (NPR) station went live on April 7, 1975, broadcasting from a converted classroom in the Journalism Building at East Texas A&M University (known then as East Texas State University).
Since then, 88.9 KETR—a listener-supported, non-profit station—has grown into a trusted voice for Northeast Texas. The station continues to broadcast from the campus of East Texas A&M, featuring local news, emergency alerts, educational programming, and a wide range of music and sports coverage. As an NPR Member Station, KETR also offers extensive access to round-the-clock national and international news coverage.
In a recent news post, KETR's general manager, Jerrod Knight, wrote, “Our commitment to serving the public is unwavering, and we take pride in being an award-winning trusted source of information and a platform for local voices. Whether it’s through our in-depth reporting, community events, various music programming or our sports coverage, KETR has consistently worked to enhance the quality of life in our region.”
KETR's Historical Highlights
Source: KETR's History and Mission page
- Early 1970s: Dr. David Rigney developed an FM station to serve as a teaching laboratory for radio-television students.
- April 7, 1975:
- KETR went on the air for the first time, operating from a former classroom on the first floor of the Journalism Building.
- Early programming included local news, information, music and NPR's “All Things Considered.”
- Fall 1975: KETR sports programming began, with student-produced broadcasts of Commerce Tigers football. The first ET football broadcast was the Lions' 42-19 win over Prairie View A&M in the Cotton Bowl.
- 1977: The station moved from the Journalism Building to a larger studio in the Performing Arts Center, where it shared facilities with the Radio-TV program.
- 1979: KETR was one of the original stations to carry NPR's “Morning Edition” when it debuted in 1979.
- Early 1980s:
- KETR's tower height was raised, and its power increased from about 7,500 to 100,000 watts. This increased the station's broadcast range from about 20 to 75 miles.
- 1982: Mark Chapman began hosting the weeknight “Art of Sound” jazz program, which continued for 26 years.
- 2008:
- KETR moved from the Performing Arts Center to new facilities in Binnion Hall.
- “The Art of Sound” was replaced by “Notably Texan,” hosted by Matt Meinke, who had started the show as a weekend program several years earlier.
- 2009: KETR conducted several highly successful membership drives and aggressively moved toward online and digital programming, with the award-winning KETR.org and a new digital transmitter.
- 2024: KETR added programming for a new HD3 channel through a partnership with Radio Bilingüe, a California-based non-profit public radio network. Radio Bilingüe is the only Spanish-language national distributor of public radio programming in the United States.
- 2025: KETR continues to thrive under the guidance of Jerrod Knight, who has served as the station's general manager since 2008.
“For half a century, this station has been a vital voice in the community, connecting listeners and sharing stories that matter,” said Chief Communications Officer Michael Johnson. “It's a true joy to have KETR as an integral part of our university family, enriching our campus life and broadcasting the spirit of innovation and dedication.”
To listen live and see how you can make an impact by contributing to listener-supported radio in Northeast Texas, visit KETR.org.