Rhode Island takes control of WRNI

While it is not exactly a complete declaration of independence, Rhode Island's public station WRNI made a large move toward self-rule on Monday. As a step in the process toward making the public station (which broadcasts at 1290 AM in Providence and 102.7 FM in southern Rhode Island) autonomous, the station announced that it has reached an agreement to take back control of its administrative and financial operations from Boston University and the WBUR Group.

''It's fabulous,'' says WRNI general manager Joe O'Connor. ''WRNI has become Rhode Island's first locally run NPR news outlet.''

This step is the latest in a decade-long history of the Rhode Island station. In the 1990s, a group of Rhode Islanders, noting that their state was one of only two in the nation without a public radio station, sought partners to establish one. When in-state backers couldn't be found, Boston University partnered with the group to purchase a signal. Together, they launched WRNI in 1998.

But ensuing years, notably the decision in 2004 by then-WBUR general manager Jane Christo to sell the station, damaged that relationship and ''greatly offended the listeners,'' according to O'Connor. In 2007, after Christo had resigned and Paul La Camera had replaced her as general manager, plans were established to sell the station back to the original group, now called Rhode Island Public Radio, and to make WRNI truly a Rhode Island media outlet.

In addition to now operating both WRNI outlets, the group owns the FM signal and has entered into an agreement to buy the AM signal from WBUR. The FCC has approved the license transfer of the AM station, and the group is awaiting approval of the purchase by the Rhode Island attorney general, which is expected as soon as the end of September. Assuming that approval comes, WRNI-FM and AM could be fully Rhode Island-owned and -operated by October.

Even when that happens, says O'Connor, changes will be subtle. The station now carries similar programming to WBUR, including NPR stalwarts like ''Morning Edition'' and ''All Things Considered.'' Local news is covered by three staff reporters. Local programming has been limited to monthly radio theater from the Providence-based Trinity Repertory Company and locally produced ''This I Believe'' essays, which air on Wednesdays.

In time, says O'Connor, he hopes to add more news and production staff and create both a weekly news magazine and a call-in news and talk show. But such projects are dependent on public support, he notes. Without the WBUR subsidies and support, the station is now essentially ''a start-up,'' O'Connor says. ''The operating costs will be significant.''

To compensate for the loss of WBUR support, on Monday the station launched an ''independence'' fund drive. As of Tuesday midday, more than $15,000 had been raised toward a goal of $100,000. ''Rhode Islanders are very much in favor of this,'' says O'Connor. ''They're voting with their wallets.''

The current WBUR administration has been highly supportive of the move. ''The best and brightest stations have always been the ones that were locally owned, locally controlled, and had the local audience in mind first and foremost,'' says WBUR general manager La Camera.

The move will eventually prove beneficial for WBUR, too, says La Camera. Because WBUR will no longer be responsible for subsidizing the Rhode Island station, ''it should allow us to do even more work here,'' he says. ''It really is a win-win situation.''

Spinning the dial

WEEI-AM (850) has changed its weekend lineup. Starting this Sunday, Michael Felger will take over as host of ''NFL Sunday,'' 9 a.m. to noon. Felger will be joined by Paul Perillo and Patriots Hall of Fame linebacker Steve Nelson. The station is also bringing back ''The Real Post-Game Show,'' 4 to 7:30 p.m. after Patriots football games, with Pete Sheppard along with Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie. The station is also adding more content to its website, WEEI.com.