A KPFA blast from the past

A KPFA blast from the past

A tribute to KPFA and part of its past

By Lynda Carson - August 24, 2026

Times are grim under the fascist convicted felon President Donald J. Trump. On Sunday evening, August 23, 2026 the KPFA evening news covered the following, Canada-US trade war | New economic sanctions on Iran | Trump visa ban struck down | Researchers fight closure of National Archives | Climate activists gear up for action | Wildfire near Reno explodes in size as 90K evacuate.

In contrast, in a KPFA blast from the past. Going back as far as I can reach to the earliest archives of the KPFA website, on November 8, 1996, it says, “KPFA was the first listener supported radio station on the dial. Founded by Lewis Hill, a pacifist, poet and journalist as an alternative to commercial media. We broadcast on KPFA, 94.1 FM & KPFB, 89.3 FM in Berkeley as well as KFCF, 88.1 FM in Fresno, CA. Our signal reaches one-third of the state utilizing 59,000 watts. We are one of five stations in The Pacifica Radio Network.

Ninety percent of our programming is both original and local. Our sound is eclectic with a well produced mix of news and in-depth public affairs, ongoing drama and literature performance, interviews and reviews. Our music programming ranges from folk to hip-hop, from Bach to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. We produce many "live" shows, a radio rarity, travelling the region to broadcast live music, demonstrations, and cultural events. The majority of our staff are unpaid, people volunteering from the community, who donate their time, energy and drive because they see a chance to make a change, a chance to make a difference.”

That’s right! The KPFA website on November 8, 1996, appears much different than the present website for KPFA, but it’s a blast from the past that many listeners may have not seen before. Times are changing.

For those who may be interested, the Pacifica homepage website for 1996, may be found by clicking here.

Crisis at KPFA in 1999.

On the KPFA website on April 10, 1999, it mentions a crisis at the station. In part it says, “What happened at KPFA on March 31, 1999?
The Executive Director and Executive Committee of the Pacifica Foundation informed KPFA's General Manager Nicole Sawaya that "your employment agreement shall terminate and your employment with Pacifica will end effective immediately."

>> What explanation was given for Sawaya's termination?

Pacifica's Executive Director, Lynn Chadwick, was quoted as saying that Ms. Sawaya was "not a team player" and "not a good fit."

>> Why is the KPFA staff opposed to this move?

• Sawaya treated listeners, staff and donors with tremendous respect and value.  She understands radio, is in tune with the mission of Pacifica, and has dealt with the staff firmly but with respect.

• She inherited a budget in deficit, and in her 15 month tenure turned that deficit into a surplus.

• As a professional broadcaster, Nicole has a uniquely strong vision and understanding for radio broadcasting in the coming decade, and has exciting plans for the future of KPFA and Pacifica. Under her direction, KPFA's air sound improved, and we regained the respect of many previously alienated listeners and donors.

The crisis at KPFA, resulted in the following headline below, and the following report.

POLICE ARREST 52 WHO PROTEST FIRINGS AT KPFA PUBLIC RADIO STATION, IN BERKELEY.

On July 14, 1999, Dennis Bernstein, the co-producer of the daily program Flashpoints, could be heard struggling with armed guards inside KPFA radio station shortly after he ended his program that day.

As a result, KPFA radio went off the air during July 1999, and went back on the air again on August 5, 1999.

According to the history archives of KPFA, “On July 31, 10,000 Bay Area residents demonstrate in Berkeley, demanding the reopening of KPFA, which had been shut down by Pacifica’s then Chair Mary Frances Berry and Executive Director Lynn Chadwick in a dispute over control of the station. Chadwick and Berry relent and KPFA begins broadcasting again in early August.”

That’s right! Here we are around 27 years later, and thankfully KPFA is still broadcasting with 60,000 watts of power throughout much of northern California, and locations around the world on the web. Two years ago, supporters of KPFA celebrated when it was time for a “Happy Birthday to KPFA radio, 94.1 FM, and 75 years of broadcasting.”

I could not find an archived KPFA radio website about the temporary closure of KPFA in July/August of 1999.

For those who may be interested in a view of the ever-changing KPFA radio website in January 2008, feel free to click here.

The KPFA website on September 18, 2001, shortly after the 911 attack occurred in 2001. KPFA programs reveal what was on the air on September 18, in September of 2001.

Lynda Carson was interviewed on the KPFA, Living Room show with Kris Welch in 2007, around 8 minutes into the show, about funding cuts to HUD’s housing programs… https://archives.kpfa.org/data/20070126-Fri1200.mp3 .

Lynda Carson may be reached at newzland2 [at] gmail.com

More photos below by Lynda Carson of the KPFA protests in 1999.

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