WOUB Public Media

10/30/2025

The Athens Lunatic Asylum, now known as “The Ridges,” is a place of mystery. The Victorian-style buildings loom large on a ridge overlooking Athens, Ohio, and were home to mental patients in southeast Ohio for more than 100 years. Produced by WOUB Public Media, The 1900: Voices from the Athens Asylum gives a voice to those buried on The Ridges, many buried with only numbers on their tombstones. The program looks at the lives of these lost souls.

No one knows why patients were buried only identified by numbers. Many believe the stigma of mental illness was the cause, others believe they were forgotten people.

To demystify and give recognition and respect to the more than 1,900 people buried there without identities, representatives from several agencies including Ohio University, the Gathering Place, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the National Association of Mental Illness came together to create the Ridges Cemeteries Committee.

THE 1900: VOICES FROM THE ATHENS ASYLUM Thursday, October 30 at 9:00 pm The Athens Lunatic Asylum, now known as “The Ridges,” is a place of mystery. The Victorian-style buildings... Read More

10/29/2025

A unique, non-invasive, mountain lion study uses a giant network of trail cameras scattered throughout Montana’s Sapphire Mountains over a decade to piece together the life story of a female mountain lion.

The deadly flash floods in Texas over the 2025 Fourth of July weekend were just the latest reminder of an alarming new reality: Once-rare “superfloods” are striking with unprecedented ferocity, devastating communities around the globe. Join investigators as they piece together a moment-by-moment account of the Asheville, North Carolina disaster in 2024, when Hurricane Helene triggered flash floods and mudslides in a city 2,000 feet above sea level and more than 250 miles inland.

Scientists track down the earliest known bubonic plague victims and study the virus in hopes of preventing future outbreaks while the societal impact of the plague is also considered.

Wednesday, October 29 on WOUB! Beginning at 8:00 pm   8:00 pm – NATURE “Willow: Diary of a Mountain Lion” A unique, non-invasive, mountain lion study uses a giant network... Read More

10/29/2025

Public Radio Music Day is for the bands that got their first spin on a local station.

It’s for the fans who tune in for something real.

On October 29, WOUB is celebrating what happens when community and creativity collide — and the music that connects us all.

🎶 Live. Local. Essential.


noncomMUSIC Alliance

10/29/2025

Athens-based acoustic rock duo Shadow in the Moon —Jessica Bouffioux and Kurt McGinnis—have built a sound bridging post-grunge grit, Americana storytelling, and the shimmering textures of synth-pop.

In their video for Public Radio Music Day 2025, Bouffioux and McGinnis reflect on how stations like WOUB have supported their journey from the very beginning.

“Public radio music gave us a platform when we were just getting started,” Bouffioux says, emphasizing that public radio remains one of the best ways for local artists to reach listeners who value authenticity and connection.

The duo’s message is simple but powerful: public radio music is both local and essential. As McGinnis notes, stations like WOUB don’t just play songs—they help artists grow by allowing them to connect with both local fans and the wider music industry.


noncomMUSIC Alliance

10/29/2025

Athens-based singer-songwriter Megan Bee shares her gratitude for WOUB and the role public radio has played in shaping her career in her Public Radio Music Day 2025 video.

Known for her evocative songwriting and earthy folk sound, Bee reflects on how stations like WOUB helped her reach listeners beyond southeast Ohio while continuing to spotlight local music.

“Public radio stations like WOUB have been so essential in getting my music out into the world and getting started,” Bee says. “And they’re still such a great resource for discovering local, great music.”

Her message underscores the importance of public radio as both a launching pad for independent artists and a trusted place for listeners to find authentic, community-rooted sound.

Bee closes with a simple call to action: “It’s Public Radio Music Day — so keep it going.”


noncomMUSIC Alliance

10/29/2025

WOUB Public Media joins stations across the nation today to celebrate Public Radio Music Day 2025 (noncomMUSIC Alliance ).

This year’s theme, “Live. Local. Essential.,” honors the stations that connect artists, audiences, and communities through music.

Unlike commercial outlets focused on global hits, WOUB remains rooted in local culture—amplifying regional voices and preserving stories that might otherwise go unheard. From featuring artists like Trey Hedrick and Harper Reese on WOUB Culture to spotlighting Bob Stewart and Todd Burge on WOUB FM, the station celebrates the sounds of Appalachia and beyond.

To mark the occasion, WOUB has curated a playlist featuring standout regional talent, including songs from artists such as Adam Remnant, Corduroy Brown, and Angela Perley.

The mix—assembled by WOUB FM Music Director Bryan Gibson, WOUB's Emily Votaw, and Radio Free Athens DJ Doug “R@T” Brooks—spans experimental soundscapes to classic rock ’n’ roll.

WOUB also continues to provide Ohio University students hands-on opportunities to report on local music and engage with the regional arts scene.

For WOUB, Public Radio Music Day is more than a celebration—it’s a reaffirmation of its mission to sustain community, uplift artists, and preserve the sound and spirit of the region. ,

WOUB celebrates Public Radio Music Day with a playlist showcasing music from a diverse array of regional artists.

10/29/2025

Folk singer Darrin Hacquard, based in Rockbridge, Ohio, writes songs that capture both the humor and heartbreak of the human condition — and, more specifically, how it’s experienced in southeast Ohio.

In his video for Public Radio Music Day 2025, Hacquard reflects on the profound influence WOUB has had on his life and career. He credits programs such as Below the Salt, Crossing Boundaries, Audiosyncrasies, D28+5, and Hornpipe and Fugue with shaping his understanding of music and storytelling.

“I wouldn’t have the information or the ammunition to write songs and melodies if I didn’t grow up with those shows,” he says. His words reflect what public radio represents to many Appalachian artists — a steadfast source of inspiration, education, and community.


noncomMUSIC Alliance

10/29/2025

Athens-based musicians Caitlin Kraus and Mark Hellenberg of The Caitlin Kraus Band share a heartfelt message in support of WOUB for Public Radio Music Day 2025.

The duo emphasizes the essential role public radio plays in fostering community, connecting listeners, and supporting musicians across the region.

Hellenberg — a former WOUB Music Director and past host of Audiosyncrasies and Crossing Boundaries — highlights the station’s continued commitment to quality programming. He notes his appreciation for the station’s blend of local and national music content, including WOUB’s evening programs and NPR’s weekend music lineup.

Kraus and Hellenberg encourage listeners to support the station that sustains the local arts community. “Consider becoming a member or donating to WOUB on Public Radio Music Day — and any day after,” Kraus says.


noncomMUSIC Alliance

10/29/2025

Huntington, West Virginia–based musician Corduroy Brown brings his signature “feel-good Appalachian rock” spirit to his Public Radio Music Day 2025 message.

Known for his uplifting sound and heartfelt lyrics, Brown emphasizes how stations like WOUB create meaningful bridges between artists and their communities. “Public radio gives bands like us a real platform,” he says. “It’s a perfect way for people to discover new music with a real connection.”

Brown credits WOUB with helping independent artists grow, gain exposure, and remain connected to their audiences across Appalachia. His message echoes this year’s Public Radio Music Day theme — Live. Local. Essential. — underscoring the vital role local stations play in sustaining regional music.

“WOUB doesn’t just play music,” Brown says. “They’re helping artists like me grow, get discovered, and stay connected to everyone in our community.” He closes with gratitude: “Thank you so much to WOUB for everything that you do for our region.


noncomMUSIC Alliance

10/25/2025

We are thrilled to partner with Passion Works Studio and Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact to bring you the 13th Annual Honey for the Heart Parade LIVE on WOUB Public Media's page.

Join the fun in person on Court Street or watch the livestream on Facebook,

We're live-streaming the parade to make it as accessible and inclusive as possible-- for those outside the region or unable to attend in person, you can still be part of this joyful celebration.

💃After the parade, keep the party going at Central Venue with a community dance party featuring live music by The Wild Honeybees! 🐝
Let's celebrate creativity, community, and connection --wherever you are.

10/21/2025

We are thrilled to partner with Passion Works Studio and Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact to bring you the 13th Annual Honey for the Heart Parade LIVE on WOUB Public Media's page.

Join the fun in person on Court Street or watch the livestream on Facebook at 5:00 pm. 🕔
We're live-streaming the parade to make it as accessible and inclusive as possible-- for those outside the region or unable to attend in person, you can still be part of this joyful celebration.

💃After the parade, keep the party going at Central Venue with a community dance party featuring live music by The Wild Honeybees! 🐝
Let's celebrate creativity, community, and connection --wherever you are.

10/18/2025

Miss the 2025 Ohio University Homecoming Parade? Catch the livestream here.

Can’t make it to Athens for Homecoming? No problem! Enjoy a livestream of the Homecoming Parade. The parade emcees will narrate the parade festivities live, introducing floats, student organizations, and... Read More