SRL Partner Station of the Month: October 2015

Since the Student Reporting Labs launched, KLRU has been an invaluable partner.

For the past two years, KLRU has recruited SRL students to be part of American Graduate Day. This summer, KLRU hosted Kennedy Huff, an SRL alumna from Pflugerville High School, as an intern. Through their mentorship, Kennedy’s news package on students learning classical guitar at a juvenile justice center in order to finish their high school education aired on PBS NewsHour.

This school year, the Texas station will provide mentors for five Austin-area schools.

We asked KLRU General Manager Bill Stotesbery a few questions to learn about the station’s reaction to being SRL Partner Station of the Month.

What is your reaction to finding out KLRU was selected as SRL station partner of the month?

We were honored to learn that KLRU was selected as SRL station partner of the month! The Student Reporting Labs partnership has been a wonderful experience for all of our staff. Last summer we were able to mentor a local SRL student during an 8-week internship at our station. Kennedy Huff is smart and hard-working and was a dedicated addition to our team. We’re glad to be recognized because it means her work is recognized as well.  

In your opinion, why is it important for public media stations to work with young public media professionals like those who participate in SRL?

We believe it’s so important for our community to be exposed to the kind of nonpartisan, balanced coverage provided by the PBS NewsHour. Through SRL, we are able to help cultivate the next generation of media professionals who will be entrusted with continuing the NewsHour tradition. We are continually impressed by the young people we work with through SRL and with the educators who teach them. We feel lucky to offer a small bit of support to this stellar group of Central Texas media professionals.