TMCnet News
Alex Cohen to Become Voice of "Morning Edition" Beginning Feb. 13PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran journalist and award-winning public radio news host Alex Cohen will become 89.3 KPCC-FM's voice of "Morning Edition" beginning Feb. 13. A native Angeleno, Cohen is well known to KPCC listeners as co-host of "Take Two," the station's morning news magazine, for the past four years. Cohen will host the show from the Steve Julian Studio, named for the much-loved KPCC host who passed away in April after 15 years as local "Morning Edition" anchor. She will join NPR's new "Morning Edition" host lineup of David Greene in Culver City and Rachel Martin and Steve Inskeep in Washington, D.C. "With so much happening locally, nationally and globally, we wanted Alex to be the first voice our audience hears in the morning," said Melanie Sill, VP content, SCPR. "She's a well-known and highly respected journalist, and her wealth of hosting experience is just what our listeners want and need." The move is part of broader program changes that will sharpen KPCC's morning news focus and broaden its reach through the lunchtime hour. Those changes include:
"These changes not only strengthen KPCC's morning and midday programming, but they also reflect SCPR's commitment to top-quality news coverage and civic engagement in today's intense news environment," Sill said. "We continue to be among the top public radio stations in the nation in hours of locally produced daily programming." In moving to the "Morning Edition" host chair, Alex Cohen brings deep journalistic experience, versatile host skills, market knowledge and a strong rapport with the KPCC audience to one of the station's most important day parts. As the first voice of the morning, she will help KPCC's audiences navigate the day's news and add her interviewing skills and news judgment. Cohen will remain involved in other KPCC initiatives, including events, podcasts and specials. Cohen joined KPCC as "All Things Considered" host after working as a host and reporter for NPR and the former national program "Day to Day," and worked previously for KQED. Launched in fall 2012, "Take Two" has brought new voices and deeper connections for public radio to the dynamic, diverse people and issues that make up Los Angeles, Orange County and Southern California. As part of KPCC's nationally recognized "One Nation" effort, "Take Two" took a bold and engaging approach to expand public radio's constituency—most notably among Latino audiences. Host A Martinez, also a native Angeleno, has been a transformative figure in this effort. "Take Two" will build on these successes as a one-hour program. "A's journalism, broadcast skills, rapport with audiences, knowledge and love of Southern California and established success at KPCC and ESPN equip him well to be the voice of a program built for audiences who care about what makes this place tick," said Sill. "AirTalk" returns to its former time slot from 10 a.m. - noon, carrying the news forward with Larry Mantle's signature approach of informed guests and callers in "Southern California's most interesting conversation." "Fresh Air," which now airs at 8 p.m. on KPCC, will offer listeners a lunch-hour seat at the table of one of America's best interviewers, Terry Gross, along with guest host Dave Davies and an award-winning lineup of voices on culture and politics. About Southern California Public Radio
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alex-cohen-to-become-voice-of-morning-edition-beginning-feb-13-300390047.html SOURCE Southern California Public Radio 
|