KWBU has refreshed its local programming just in time for the station’s fall pledge drive. The new and refreshed shows reflect the station’s ongoing commitment to locally produced shows.
The refresh includes two brand new partnerships, a return for a locally beloved host, and a reimagined news show.
Find the new weekly schedule here. Read more about the new programs below.
KWBU and Rogue Media Launch “Beneath the Surface” With Host Kennisha Thornton
KWBU is partnering with Rogue Media Network to launch Beneath the Surface, a new locally produced hybrid series hosted by Waco storyteller, entrepreneur, educator and communications professional Kennisha Thornton.
Recorded as a video podcast at Rogue Media Network, Beneath the Surface will bring conversations with compelling people from Central Texas and beyond to both digital and radio audiences. The program will be re-produced for broadcast on KWBU, a thirty-minute episode as part of the station's Friday Features programming. The full video episode will be available through Rogue Media.
The new monthly feature will replace The Sit Down with Rachel and will air every second Friday at 11:30 am and 8:30 pm. All past episodes of The Sit Down will be archived at kwbu.org/all-shows.
Find the full announcement here.
KWBU and Texas Music Café Launch “Texas Music Café Radio Hour”
KWBU is proud to announce a new partnership with Texas Music Café to launch the Texas Music Café Radio Hour, a weekly program featuring performances, artists, and archival recordings from the celebrated Waco music venue and production archive.
Produced and distributed by KWBU, the Texas Music Café Radio Hour will bring listeners a wide-ranging mix of Texas music and stories drawn from more than 20 years of Texas Music Café history. The program will air as part of KWBU’s weekend lineup, creating a new home on public radio for the artists, performances, and musical community cultivated by Texas Music Café in Waco.
The new program will replace the locally produced I Hear America Singing, hosted by Ross Burns. Burns announced his retirement in May of 2026 after 12 years on KWBU’s airwaves. All past episodes of I Hear America Singing will be archived at kwbu.org/all-shows.
The Texas Music Cafe Radio Hour will air weekly on Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 9 pm.
Find the full announcement here.
Rachel E. Pate Returns to the Driver’s Seat at KWBU’s Downtown Depot
Rachel E. Pate is returning as host of Downtown Depot, KWBU’s monthly conversation show about the people, places and ideas shaping the greater Waco area.
With its focus on local economics, government, business, and civic life, Downtown Depot is where listeners can get beyond the headlines and into the conversations that affect daily life across the region.
Known for her lively presence, thoughtful questions, and deep connection to the community, Pate helps guests unpack the issues and opportunities that matter to residents, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and local decision-makers.
KWBU thanks Kennisha Thornton for hosting Downtown Depot for the past six months while Pate stepped back from the program to focus on other civic and personal projects. Kennisha will be the host of a new show in partnership with Rogue Media, Beneath the Surface, beginning this fall on KWBU.
Downtown Depot airs on the first Friday of each month at 11:30 am and 8:30 pm.
Read the full announcement here.
KWBU and The Waco Bridge Evolve Partnership, KWBU Announces “The Brazos Bulletin"
KWBU and The Waco Bridge are evolving their partnership to strengthen the local nonprofit news and public-media services both organizations provide to Waco and McLennan County.
As part of this transition, Waco Bridge staff will step away from weekly co-hosting duties on “Friday Forum with the Waco Bridge” to focus more deeply on in-depth local reporting and coverage. KWBU and Waco Bridge will continue to collaborate through occasional guest-hosting opportunities and shared news coverage.
Friday Forum will now become The Brazos Bulletin. Hosted by KWBU’s Molly-Jo Tilton, the weekly Friday program on 103.3 KWBU will shift from a co-hosted news roundup to a news-magazine format featuring local reporting, interviews, context, and stories from across Waco, McLennan County and around the state.
The Brazos Bulletin will air weekly on Fridays at 11am and 8pm on 103.3 KWBU. All past episodes and interviews from Friday Forum will be archived at kwbu.org/all-shows.
Read the full announcement here.