WAMU’s 1A to Launch 'Remaking America' — A Major, Two-Year Reporting Project Covering Threats to America's Democracy

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 17, 2022) — "1A," a daily weekday national talk show produced by WAMU and distributed by NPR, announces the upcoming launch of "1A Remaking America" – a major, two-year reporting project covering the threats to America’s democracy. In partnership with several public media stations across the country, this new collaborative project will focus coverage on the growing political divides throughout the country. 

This reporting project is made possible by a grant totaling $750,000 from The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).  

“We are very excited to embark on a new reporting initiative with our partner stations, convening the difficult but crucial conversations about where we are headed as a nation after the unprecedented reality of the past two years,” said Monna Kashfi, chief content officer of WAMU/DCist. “The support from the CPB will make it possible for us to share stories and voices from across the country in new and meaningful ways, and we are grateful for their trust in our vision.” 

The "1A" production team will launch "1A Remaking America" in the coming months, building off the trailblazing work of "1A Across America." The reporting series aims to examine and better understand the forces behind a growing distrust in institutions, and what’s dividing communities and families and eroding our confidence as a nation. "1A Remaking America" will provide a national platform for communication, comprehension and change through on-air discussions, interviews, citizen spotlights, field reporting and online and live events. 

Confirmed participating stations include:

• KVPR, NPR for Central California (Fresno) 
• WBHM*, NPR news for the heart of Alabama (Birmingham) 
• KUNC*, NPR for northern Colorado (Greeley) 
• KMUW*, Wichita (Kansas) 
• Louisville Public Media (LPM) (Kentucky) 
• KUT News, Austin’s NPR member station (Texas) 

*Indicates a "1A Across America" partner station 

“We’re thrilled to be working again with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on such an important project in partnership with our public media colleagues, said Erika Pulley-Hayes, general manager of WAMU/DCist. “As a pillar of public media, CPB’s support recognizes the merit of this work in local communities. We look forward to deepening our relationship with them and our partnering stations over the next two years.” 

The funding awarded to WAMU and "1A" will be used to grow the production team and bolster the show’s day-to-day operations in support of the launch of 1A Remaking America. Further information about the expansion of the team is forthcoming. 

“Trust in our institutions gets to the heart of our democracy,” said Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of CPB. “Through '1A Remaking America,' the team at WAMU will once again bring local voices into the national conversation about one of the most challenging issues of our time: the threats to America’s democracy. CPB is proud to support this continuing effort to combat misinformation and disinformation with fact-based, trusted journalism.” 

Since its debut more than five years ago, "1A" has grown its audience to over 4.5 million listeners on more than 440 NPR affiliate stations nationwide. Hosted by Jenn White, the show embraces and enables a national conversation where participation, opinions and diversity are at its foundational core. The new station collaboration and financial support will broaden the scope of the show and bring local stories from around the country to a national audience. 

"1A" can be heard live on-air weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET, on-demand via "1A’s" podcast and found on the1A.org. 

About WAMU
WAMU 88.5 is the NPR station in the nation’s capital and Washington’s source for local and national news, podcasts and smart, thoughtful programming. WAMU produces the nationally acclaimed program 1A, the weekly local talk show The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, the Diane Rehm: On My Mind podcast and award-winning regional news that spans topics from race and power to business and the arts. WAMU also publishes DCist, a local news and culture site. WAMU is member-supported and licensed to American University. Founded in 1961, WAMU reaches an audience of more than one million listeners on-air, online and on demand. Learn more about WAMU or listen live at www.wamu.org.

About the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally managed and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services. For more information, visit cpb.org, follow us on Twitter @CPBmedia, Facebook and LinkedIn and subscribe for email updates.

Press Contact
Julia Slattery
press@wamu.org
202.885.8905