J. Schafer
News DirectorJ. Schafer is the News Director of Kansas Public Radio. He’s also the Managing Editor of the Kansas Public Radio Network, which provides news and information to other public radio stations in Kansas and Missouri.
Before joining KPR in 1995, Schafer spent 10 years as a commercial radio and TV newsman. During his career, he's filed stories for nearly every major radio news network in the nation including ABC, NBC, CBS, AP, UPI, the Mutual Broadcasting System, NPR and the BBC. This seems to impress no one. At KPR, he produces feature stories, interviews and newscast items and edits the work of others. In the fall of 2000, he performed contract work for the U.S. State Department, traveling to central Asia to teach broadcast journalism at newly independent radio stations in the former Soviet Union. One of his passions is Kansas; learning about and promoting the state’s rich heritage, people and accomplishments. Schafer gives presentations about Kansas to various organizations around the state to remind residents about our awesome history and incredible people. A native of Great Bend, he studied journalism and mass communications at Barton County Community College and at the University of Kansas. He was also an exchange student to Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. The “J.” in J. Schafer stands for Jeremy, but he doesn’t really care for that name. He also enjoys the pretentiousness of using just a single initial for a first name!
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The Kansas Audio-Reader Network is holding its next Facebook Live Audio Sale Thursday at 6 p.m., where assorted pieces of gently-used audio equipment will be showcased and sold below market value. -
Could Kansas become the headquarters for the new U.S. Space Command? Governor Laura Kelly hopes so. She announced today (FRI) that four Kansas communities are hoping to land the headquarters: Derby, Wichita, Leavenworth and Kansas City, Kansas. The history of aviation and aerospace design have deep roots in Kansas. President Dwight Eisenhower, who grew up in Abilene, launched the nation's space program with the creation of NASA. The state has also produced four astronauts. -
Listen to our conversation with Kansas River Keeper Dawn Buehler about her love of the Kaw and her concern for its well being. The DeSoto resident grew up on the river and today, she helps protect it. Buehler says threats facing the Kansas River include dredging, pollution and an assortment of trash - from plastic bottles to tires to refrigerators. -
The Kansas Audio-Reader Network has launched a series of Facebook Live fundraisers, designed to replace "For Your Ears Only," the radio reading service's annual audio sale at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. On Thursday night, Audio-Reader's 2nd Facebook Live sale of vintage audio gear brought in nearly $1,300. Its first Facebook Live event in mid-July generated a similar amount of funds. The 3rd online sale is set for later this month. -
The Kansas Audio-Reader Networkis holding its second Facebook Live sale of audio goods at 6 p.m. today (THUR). Previous sales have featured vintage gear from some of the top names in audio, including: Pioneer, Marantz, Martin Logan, Bang & Olufsen, JVC and McIntosh. -
Two alligators went missing from a pet store in Manhattan. One was killed, another remains at large. But now, a third alligator has been sighted in Wildcat Creek. -
A major animal health company, says it will invest $100 million to expand its manufacturing facilities in De Soto. -
The Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing is scheduled to perform a flyover across four cities in the state to salute healthcare workers, first responders and other frontline workers in the fight against the coronavirus. Dubbed "Operation Kansas Strong," the flyovers will take place on Tuesday (May 19), beginning at 1 pm in Emporia, followed by flyovers in Manhattan, Topeka and Lawrence. -
Governor Laura Kelly and K-State President Richard Myers conferred a degree Tuesday upon retired Kansas farmer Dennis Ruhnke, of Troy, who sent an N95 mask to New York's governor. Governor Kelly said Ruhnke shows the best in humanity and encapsulates what it means to be a Kansan. -
Kira's story is compelling. It began in a place too dark to imagine. But that's not where it ended. After meeting a mentor in a program called JAG-K, Kira's life began to change - remarkably and for the better. Her story became one of light, hope and resilience. When her inspirational story hit the radio, it touched a lot of listeners. One listener was even moved into taking action... and did something unbelievably good.
