KPFA/ Pacifica to Highlight Groundbreaking Class Action Suit by US Veterans against the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(Berkeley, CA – April 18, 2008) The first class action lawsuit brought by Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans against the Department of Veterans Affairs will open next week in San Francisco. US veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are alleging a systemic crisis in the way the government treats injured US soldiers, in the case of Veterans for Common Sense et al vs. Peake.

On Tuesday, April 22nd, KPFA/Pacifica Radio will broadcast a three-hour live national special delving into the crisis in the VA health care system. The special broadcast will include live updates from the San Francisco Federal Courthouse, interviews with veterans' attorney Gordon Erspamer, advocates from Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans for America, as well as interviews with veterans and their families, including Joyce and Kevin Lucey who are suing the VA claiming their son Jeffrey committed suicide after being turned away from the VA.

Steve Ramsey, GM of KBCS

Steve Ramsey, general manager of KBCS in Bellevue, Washington, reflects on 35 years of serving Seattle and the future of community radio.

Pacifica Radio to Broadcast Event in Full

From March 14th to 16th, Pacifica Radio will broadcast the historic Winter Soldier Iraq hearings in Washington, DC, perhaps the most important anti-war event in the United States in decades. More than 200 U.S. military veterans and active-duty troops from Iraq and Afghanistan will testify about the atrocities committed by U.S. occupation forces - war crimes they have witnessed and, in some cases, participated in.

"I am pleased to advise you that Nicole Sawaya has accepted the offer of the Pacifica National Board to return as Pacifica’s Executive Director. She will resume her duties as of March 5, 2008, and will attend the Houston meeting next week.

"I want to thank you all for your cooperation with me and for your enthusiasm and commitment to Pacifica. I look forward to working with you in the future and to the growth and success of our network."

Sawaya began as Executive Director in mid-November, but stepped down from the position for three months. She was reported to be in negotiations with the Pacifica National Board during that time.

After Sawaya resumes her ED duties, Siegel will return to serving as Pacifica's legal counsel.

PACIFICA FOUNDATION HIRES MANAGER
FOR NEW YORK RADIO STATION
WBAI/Pacifica 99.5 FM Welcomes
New Manager Anthony Riddle

NEW YORK, New York, February 6 — On Saturday January 26th, Dan Siegel, interim Executive Director of the Pacifica Foundation, announced that Anthony Riddle was hired by the foundation as station manager for WBAI-FM, Pacifica's radio station in New York City.

"We're very happy to have Anthony with us. He has a great history in media, civil rights advocacy, and building organizations. We are very confident that he's going to provide long term leadership to this station and make WBAI again a crown jewel of the Pacifica Network," noted Siegel. Anthony Riddle replaces Interim station manager Robert Scott Adams, who will stay on for a few weeks to assist in the transition.

ELECTION UNSPUN
New Multi-Media Website Provides Critical News and Information for Voters

(February 5, 2008) - Community radio networks Pacifica Radio and Free Speech Radio News have introduced ElectionUnspun.org, a new multi-media website to promote election literacy during the 2008 elections. "Election Unspun is full of compelling and uncomplicated information to help citizens unravel the double-speak of political candidates and media pundits,” said Nathan Moore, Pacifica Radio's National Program Coordinator.

The website features new audio and video productions and blogs that are updated daily, accompanied by supplemental text and background information. Links to other informative elections websites are provided. Daily audio newscasts showcased at the top of the website’s home page include headlines, news features, and interviews. They are also being aired on many grassroots radio stations throughout the US in a newscast also called Election Unspun.