Food & Drink

Underground Neighborhood Radio Stations Are Popping Up Across Seattle

A new wave of low-power FM stations foster community connection.

By Megan Lamb December 7, 2017

earth-780

This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.

[addtoany]

In 2010, Congress passed the Local Community Radio Act to allow low- power FM stations in urban areas, something formerly only permitted in rural areas, for community groups and nonprofits to share noncommercial information and local news. In recent years, a number of stations in Seattle—each with an approximately 3.5-mile, hyperlocal broadcast radius—have been approved, and some are just powering up. Here are a few to check out on the dial. 

KODX-FM 96.9
Earth On-the-Air Independent Media, University District: News, interviews, radio documentaries and live forums for radical and progressive perspectives on racial, economic and environmental justice.

KMGP-FM 101.1
Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange (SPACE) Radio, Magnuson Park: Neighborhood, park and event information, including youth programming and interviews with park officials. 

KHUH-FM 104.9
Hollow Earth Radio, Central District: Experimental local music of all genres and weekly radio shows, such as Central Sounds, about interesting music and conversation connected to Seattle’s Central District.

KVRU-FM 105.7
Rainier Valley Radio, Rainier Valley: In one of the most culturally diverse areas of Seattle, this station aims to educate and entertain listeners through multilingual and multicultural talk programs. 

KBFG-FM 107.3
Fulcrum Community Communications, Ballard, Fremont and Greenwood: Features shows about North Seattle’s cultural history, as well as an eclectic combination of local, live, youth and traditional music.

Follow Us

Seattle Podcast: Spencer Frazer: Second Act Artist Changing the World

Seattle Podcast: Spencer Frazer: Second Act Artist Changing the World

[addtoany]

Dynamic And Engaging: The Call Of Calder

Dynamic And Engaging: The Call Of Calder

As a teenager, former Microsoft executive Jon Shirley fell in love with the works of Alexander Calder. He’s now sharing his passion with the public.

For me, moving around The Eagle, taking it in outside of traditional gallery walls and interacting with it, choosing how I saw the work, was a totally new way to experience art...

The Art in This Leschi Backyard is Literally Immersive

The Art in This Leschi Backyard is Literally Immersive

One local collector’s transformed yard features a new swimming pool with a custom installation

When architect Ian Butcher signed on to design an outdoor space for a local philanthropist and art collector, it turned out to be a double dose of revisiting the past...

Longtime Seattle Artist Mary Ann Peters Opens Show at the Frye 

Longtime Seattle Artist Mary Ann Peters Opens Show at the Frye 

Peters’ first solo museum show is a testament to her decades-long career

After more than 30 years of active involvement in Seattle’s art scene, Mary Ann Peters finally has her first solo museum show...