KTEP may see joint management by UTEP, El Paso Community Foundation

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The public radio station at the University of Texas at El Paso, KTEP, could be jointly managed by the university and the El Paso Community Foundation. Thursday, UTEP announced the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the framework for an agreement between the two.

Under a potential Public Service Operation Agreement (PSOA), KTEP could continue providing NPR programming. In 2025, ABC-7 reported that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting lost its federal funding. It used to provide a grant for NPR. CPB's closure left a significant funding gap for KTEP to cover NPR licensing.

UTEP said the Community Foundation would be responsible for staffing, programming, fundraising and general operation of the KTEP station. Meanwhile, UTEP would take responsibility for the tower, broadcast facilities and maintaining the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license.

“When federal funding for public radio went away, we started exploring how to keep this local service to the community in a way that is sustainable,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “We have a close partnership with the El Paso Community Foundation and, working together creatively, we believe we can keep local public broadcasting alive and well. We appreciate their willingness to work together.”

UTEP said this step toward a possible agreement builds on a longstanding relationship with EPCF, which have partnered to strengthen education and community for 50 years.

A new agreement could also maintain internship and work-study opportunities for UTEP students at the radio station.

UTEP said it hopes to execute an agreement with agreement "reasonably soon."