KRCU'S NEW PROGRAMMING

More good news at this holiday season: KRCU, the public radio station at Southeast Missouri State University, is joining the Public Radio International network, which means it will be able to add such popular programs as "A Prairie Home Companion" and "Whad'Ya Know?"

The best news is that the programs are being added without more federal funding. At a time when many public broadcast outlets are complaining about potential cuts in or elimination of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, KRCU has taken a different approach. Appeals to listeners for their generous support have been heeded.

With the $35,000 that the station has raised in two on-air fund drives this year, the new programs are a nice payback to loyal listeners who have asked for them -- and contributed enough money to make it happen.