Winds of Change at Radio Kingston

Recently, Radio Kingston sent out a press release announcing that it is changing its programming to English only, and creating a digital sister station entirely in Spanish with expanded programming.

To be completely honest, and in case some readers didn’t know, since January 2018 I have hosted a daily Spanish-language news program on Radio Kingston — La Voz con Mariel Fiori (Monday through Friday, 10 to 11 a.m.). WKNY began broadcasting in 1939, and since November 2017, when Radio Kingston Corp. took over what used to be a commercial station, it has been transformed into a noncommercial community station with the “mission to serve the community we are part of through conversation, music, news, and much more.” Over these eight years, Radio Kingston has grown — as stated in its announcement — to offer dozens of programs highlighting a variety of ideas and genres, including those from our Spanish-speaking community members.

One of the changes expected for the AM 1490 and FM 107.9 station in 2026 is that programming will return to being entirely in English, featuring six four-hour daily shows from Monday through Friday. It’s a more traditional format, aiming for a cohesive presentation while remaining deeply community-focused. For this new model, Radio Kingston is already seeking candidates who want to be hosts (in English) and who are passionate about civic life, culture, history, and Kingston’s local events. This means five new full-time, well-paid positions with benefits have just been created — open to candidates with or without radio experience who want to join the Radio Kingston team.

The other big change — and one that greatly concerns us — is the creation of a sister station: Radio Kingston en español. It is expected to serve as a vibrant, cultural, and informative platform for thousands of listeners in Kingston and surrounding areas. The six current Spanish-language programs, including my own, will move to the new digital platform (website, mobile app, Facebook, and YouTube channels) to create an integrated listening experience. The platform will also offer opportunities to expand existing shows and introduce new hosts and programming aligned with Radio Kingston’s mission to serve and reflect the community.

For this new sister station, Radio Kingston is seeking candidates for the position of Programming Director of Radio Kingston en Español. Are you a communicator with editorial experience? Passionate about journalism and the issues affecting local Hispanic and Latine immigrant communities? Do you live in or near Kingston, or would you like to move to this beautiful rural-urban enclave? If your answer is yes, you should apply for this full-time position, which also includes excellent benefits. More information and application details are available at radiokingston.org/en/content/opportunities.

Don’t worry — according to the announcement and job descriptions, Radio Kingston en español will continue to inform, inspire, and connect our Spanish-speaking communities through accessible, inclusive, and culturally rooted programming. Radio Kingston en español is committed to language justice and envisions a local media space where Spanish-speaking residents feel seen, heard, and empowered to share their truths, access essential information, and celebrate their cultures. There will also be opportunities to propose Spanish-language program ideas to whoever is hired as programming director. Step by step.

Meanwhile, the hosts of the more than fifty current programs continue to broadcast, knowing that by 2026, many will air only on weekends. Some will create their own podcasts, others will become regular guests on different shows, and perhaps some will join the new weekday lineup.

One thing that isn’t changing — for now — is the ongoing commitment of Radio Kingston’s Community Technical Team, which continues to provide free technical support in stage setup, sound, and video to Kingston’s nonprofits and community groups. With an estimated 200 community events in Kingston each year, it’s great that this resource will remain available to all.

As Mercedes Sosa once sang: “Everything changes.” And despite these structural changes, the station’s mission remains alive — and I feel excited and grateful to continue contributing La Voz to the programming of the new station, Radio Kingston en español.

Mariel Fiori

Managing Editor

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