KGOU's holiday specials begin airing tomorrow night through New Year's Day, at selected times. We kick off our holiday season with The Paul Winter Solstice Celebration tomorrow evening at 10 p.m., marking the longest night of the year on Sunday.

We have specials for other winter holidays, including Hanukkah Lights, Tinsel Tales on Christmas morning, and perennial favorite Toast of the Nation, an all-night jazz party on New Year's Eve. Check out our Special Programs page for shows and schedules.

 

The end of the calendar year finds us wrapping up our annual independent audit of the previous fiscal year's financials. We'll report those exact figures to you after the new year -- but we already know that Fiscal Year 2014, which ended in June, was a good one for KGOU. The second half of the calendar year -- and the first half of FY 2015 -- is shaping up nicely also.

As KGOU ends its 31st year and prepares to mark its 32nd "birthday", we have every KGOU member (investor, donor, contributor, whichever name you prefer) to thank for KGOU's success. This community of listener-supporters deserves much of the credit for a financially sound public radio service. Thank you all, and stay tuned for more news about our plans for 2015!

 

Morning Edition's quarterly book club Morning Reads launched Dec. 11, with honorary "curator" Ann Patchett. Her first selection is Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free by Hector Tobar. Patchett calls it "a riveting story" tackling "all of the big issues of life."

Tune in for the book discussion with Patchett and Tobar set for Jan. 20 and share your thoughts via Twitter or on the show's Facebook page. Read an excerpt and download a printable Book Guide to help you read along.

 

It's the newest sensation in public radio, although most of it was not actually on the radio -- it's Serial, a podcast from the brains behind This American Life, which slowly unfolds one true story, week by week. The first such story, a tale of homicide, the ensuing court trial, and what didn't come to light until now as reported by TAL alum Sarah Koenig, came to its conclusion today.

You can catch up on the entire season by subscribing to the free Serial podcast on iTunes or by listening from the Serial website. It's designed to be heard in order, so start with Episode 1. You can binge-listen to the whole season (and you'll want to) over a few long winter's nights.

 

No one puts the "mock" in democracy quite like the Capitol Steps, that troupe of former Capitol Hill staffers who lampoon all things political. They've just released a new album of "hits", such as "I Don't Know How to Log In", "Putin On a Blitz", "Everybody Must Get Droned", and that old standard, "When I.R.S. Guys Are Smiling". We've got 10 CDs to give away -- enter our drawing for a chance to stuff your stocking.