KGOU and other public radio and television stations throughout the state are collaborating with NPR on a new journalism initiative, StateImpact. Oklahoma was one of eight states selected to pilot the new project, which focuses on in-depth reporting about state government policies and issues of importance to local residents.

Three of Oklahoma's public radio stations, KGOU, KOSU and KWGS, along with public TV network OETA, have formed a consortium of participating partners called the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange. Under the leadership of KGOU, the OPME has hired two reporters, Joe Wertz and Logan Layden, to provide in-depth reporting and analysis focusing on the state's budget process.

Their reports are featured on a new website, StateImpact Oklahoma, and will be heard on KGOU and the other partnering stations, and may occasionally be featured on NPR's news programs nationwide. The website provides original reports, related news content from other sources, background info, and a place to weigh in with your comments about the issues.

We at KGOU have been working toward providing more in-depth reporting on state issues for many years now, and we are excited about the challenges and opportunities that come with leading this project. Check out the StateImpact site, "like" the Facebook page or "follow" them on Twitter, and stay tuned for the first broadcast report coming soon!

KGOU will broadcast President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress tonight beginning at 6 p.m., carrying NPR News' special coverage hosted by Robert Siegel. He will be joined in studio by NPR National Political Correspondent, Mara Liasson, and from the White House by NPR White House Correspondent, Scott Horsley.

To mark 10 years since the attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon on September 11, KGOU will air special news coverage from NPR and stories of survivors and victims' families from The Kitchen Sisters and StoryCorps.

NPR hosts and correspondents will be reporting on everything from national security to politics to how our culture has changed, and will also reflect on the human toll -- the impact of 9/11 on people's lives. Special coverage begins with Weekend Edition Sunday at 7 a.m. and concludes with A Concert for Hope at 8 p.m.

See details about the programs that will air in special or extended time slots on our Special Coverage page. NPR.org has a special series page for its coverage.

Listeners to our 105.7 KROU signal serving Oklahoma County noticed some down time last week as we made the final connections from the transmitter to the new antenna, the final step in the process of moving our transmitter, transmitter building and antenna to a new tower location. The move was necessary because the old location was recently sold and its tower dismantled.

While the move is complete, we are still making adjustments to get optimal results. If you listen to the 105.7 signal and have noticed a change for the better or worse, let Chief Engineer Patrick Roberts know your location. And, of course, we're still paying the bills for the move.  If you'd like to contribute specifically toward this project, you can donate through our Capital Campaigns option.

Release your inner author -- the next round of All Things Considered's Three-Minute Fiction contest starts Saturday, September 10, with a new judge, award-winning short-story author Danielle Evans.

The contest has a simple premise: Listeners submit original short stories with a 600-word limit that can be read aloud in three minutes or less. Listen Saturday, Sept. 10 during All Things Considered (5 - 6 p.m.) for details on the story requirements. The deadline for entries in this round is 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, September 25.

More than just a one-note hot sauce, this magical elixir has a depth of flavor to match its heat. Food writer Lynda Balsev shares the story of her growing addiction to sriracha hot sauce, and four recipes that might have you confessing, too. The Kitchen Window web series at NPR.org tells all.