Hot Seat: Media Monday Scott Carr and John Stemen “100 Years of WIBX Radio,” Utica Creative Reuse “Trash to Treasure” exhibition, and Saturday Night at the Tram 9-15-25 S2:E2
This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday marks the 100th anniversary of Utica’s WIBX radio, with host Ron Klopfanstein joined by veteran broadcasters John Steman and Scott Carr. The conversation traces the station’s beginnings in 1925, its heyday in the 1980s and 90s with a robust newsroom and local sports coverage, and its more recent shift to syndicated programming under economic pressures. Alongside reflections on the radio’s resilience, the decline of live local voices, and the ongoing importance of truthful journalism, the episode highlights community culture through Utica Creative Reuse’s “Trash to Treasure” art exhibition and the Tramontane Café. This beloved arts venue remains active despite reduced hours. The broadcast blends nostalgia, personal stories, and cultural snapshots, emphasizing the enduring value of local media and creative spaces in shaping community identity.
Also on Apple Podcasts and iHeart Media.
Jonathan Brooks/ DJ J-Easy is the sound engineer. He is online at Facebook.com/easyatm315, Instagram.com/j_easy315/, and https://on.soundcloud.com/XGKd3e4AZeNtrD2X9
Jim Hale is the photographer and records the show for video and podcast streaming. He is online at Jim Hale (@instanteon) • Instagram photos and videos
Nabil Khan is the entertainment correspondent for Hot Seat: Media Monday. Nabil is online at Letterboxd.com/1andonlynabk/and Instagram.com/instanab.k/.
Ron Klopfanstein is an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist, news and producer for 95.5 FM “The Heat” broadcast and streaming. He hosts Hot Seat: Media Monday every Monday at 5 pm, broadcast on 95.5 FM and streaming at 955TheHeat.com. Podcasts at: https://open.spotify.com/show/4nbrIF49K56OxbPljuw1Lv?si=7e000e7279f54c2a Like him at Facebook.com/ReadRonKlopfanstein, Follow him at Bsky.app/profile/ronklopfanstein.bsky.social, Threads.net/@RonKlopfanstein, Instagram.com/RonKlopfanstein, Tiktok.com/@ronklopfanstein, and subscribe to his channel at YouTube.com/@RonKlopfanstein. Read all his work at Muckrack.com/ron-klopfanstein.
