Beyond the Headlines

Today's news is Here and Now on 91FM
By Jill Zayszly

The events on September 11 changed the world forever. It also changed what WHYY 91FM listeners want to hear weekdays at noontime.

Since that day, Christine Dempsey, WHYY's director of radio programming, has heard from many listeners: news and information is more important than ever. In response, WHYY will air the program Here and Now weekdays from Tuesday through Friday at noon beginning January 1 on 91FM (90.9).

"WHYY now has the opportunity to perform an important public service by airing the noontime newsmagazine Here and Now," Dempsey says. "This is a well produced program that covers up-to-the-minute world and national news. During the program, WHYY will provide listeners with local news and features."

Hosted by Robin Young and Bruce Gellerman, Here and Now is produced and distributed by WBUR in Boston. The program goes beyond the headlines and opens discussions with guest experts in an attempt to illuminate and explore the news and issues of the day with a sense of immediacy and intimacy.

In addition to hard news and discussion, Here and Now features some light, informational pieces. Topics include food and cooking, science and technology, personal finance and cultural stories.

Here and Now senior producer Mark Navin explains what sets the program apart from other news shows: "It's our approach that makes us different. Some news programs try and tell you what they've discovered. We're trying to discover things with the listeners. Here and Now is about conversation and discovery between the hosts and guests."

Guests are a crucial part of the show's format, and Navin aims to keep the perspective fresh. "We try not to have the same old talking heads as guests. Through our guests we try and get closer to the story. You'll hear a lot of diversity and just regular people."

"Since 9-11 we've focused on the war coverage and that means lots of reporters who have been or are out in the field," Navin says, "but we also have experts in industry and industry watchdogs. We've done a piece with kids who raised money to put up a flagpole in their school after 9-11."

Hosts Young and Gellerman bring passion and experience to the program. Young has been in broadcasting for over 25 years. She's been a correspondent for the Discovery Channel, CBS and ABC, and for several years she was the substitute host and correspondent for the Today show on NBC. Bruce Gellerman is the former executive producer of news at WBUR. Gellerman's career has included writing and producing stories for 60 Minutes, CBS News, The New York Times, the BBC and Deutsche Welle.

Here and Now won't be new to all 91FM listeners. During the November 2000 elections and immediately following the events of 9-11, the program was heard in the Delaware Valley on 91FM. Navin recalls, "During the 2000 elections, we did on-air forums, where we asked listeners to send e-mails and then read them on-air. We got a great response from Philadelphia."

Mike McGrath, host of WHYY's You Bet Your Garden, heard Saturdays at 11 a.m. on 91FM, will be a regular, featured commentator beginning in January. National audiences will now benefit from McGrath's green thumb when they tune into Here and Now.
Here and Now airs Tuesday through Friday at noon on WHYY 91FM beginning January 1.

Living on Earth, Car Talk, Justice Talking and Selected Shorts can still be heard on 91FM throughout the week. Please check the Listeners' Guide for the days and times when these programs air.