KWGS-FM (Tulsa, OK)

KWGS 89.5 FM serves as the primary National Public Radio station in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It holds the distinction of being the first FM radio station in the state and is one of two stations managed by the University of Tulsa. Founded in 1947 by Ben Graf Henneke, a speech professor at TU who later became the university's president, KWGS was made possible thanks to the financial support of Tulsa oil magnate and philanthropist William G. Skelly, whose initials inspired the call letters. The University of Tulsa also operates another station, KWTU, which focuses on classical music.

Local

English

Radio

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#527925

United States

#125396

News and Media

#4533

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Oklahomans feeling effects of Trump protest in Tulsa

4 days ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Elizabeth Caldwell

At a busy Tulsa intersection housing strip malls with Starbucks and cell phone stores, more than 200 people turned out to demonstrate against President Donald Trump Saturday. Trump has been in office for about three months, and some people gathered at 71st Street and Memorial Drive said they’re feeling the effects of his dramatic overhaul to government personally. April Nesbit is a professor of biology at East Central University in Ada.
Oklahoma elected leaders no-show at anti-MAGA town hall

5 days ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Ben Abrams

Frustrated by a lack of town halls from elected officials, a local activist group tried putting on its own. The progressive grassroots organization Indivisible Tulsa arranged a town hall-style event at All Souls Unitarian Church Thursday night. The group had previously hand-delivered invitations to the event to U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, Sen. James Lankford and Sen. Markwayne Mullin. None showed.
Rep. Hern reportedly in El Salvador where mega-prison holds illegally deported man

1 week ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Elizabeth Caldwell

Republican Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District is in El Salvador, according to the United States Embassy in the country. On April 16, an official X account described as the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador posted a picture of Hern with six other lawmakers and U.S. Ambassador William Duncan.
Oklahoma’s Afghan refugee community in fear as protected status set to expire

1 week ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Elizabeth Caldwell

Thousands of Afghan refugees previously welcomed to Oklahoma will face deportation next month. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Friday Afghans no longer meet the criteria for temporary protected status. TPS has been a target for President Donald Trump as he overhauls the country's immigration system. Aliye Shimi helped resettlement efforts in her role with nonprofit Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry.
‘He’s not a conservative’: Some Oklahoma seniors are worried about Donald Trump’s policies

1 week ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Elizabeth Caldwell

Older voters turned out for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. But not everyone over in their golden years is happy with the administration. 77-year-old Suzanne D’Spain is hanging out at a senior community center in Tulsa. She’s among friends here, but she says lately she’s been a little stressed out. D’Spain relies on Social Security, a safety net program meant to support those who are retired or disabled. She says she paid into the public insurance program her entire working life.
Stitt appoints Supreme Court justice tied to conservative group seeking reform

1 week ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Elizabeth Caldwell

An Oklahoma Panhandle native will serve on the state’s Supreme Court. Governor Kevin Stitt announced Monday that Travis Jett is the newest member of the Sooner State’s highest court. Stitt explained at a press conference why he chose Jett. “I considered the nominees very carefully. My first priority is to appoint individuals who will stay true to the Oklahoma and United States constitution,” said Stitt.
Sunset Club showcases Tulsa rock and roll of today

1 week ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Max Bryan

Sunset Club Records lives inside a house on the section of South Trenton Avenue in Tulsa known as Studio Row. It’s just a few doors down from Church Studio, famously established by Leon Russell in 1972, which still draws major names in music. But Sunset Club is a haven for local rock and roll. It’s filled to the brim with cassettes, records, t-shirts and posters of bands that Tulsans can catch on any given weekend at the city’s music bars.
New electric buses en route to Tulsa to replace ‘historically bad’ Proterra models

2 weeks ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Ben Abrams

MetroLink Tulsa is set to operate nine new all-electric buses by the end of July. The EVs are manufactured by Gillig, a company well-known to the city’s transit authority, with around 60 of its gas-powered vehicles already operating in Tulsa. The new electric buses come with an approximate $7.2 million price tag. MetroLink’s leadership is happy to receive vehicles from a manufacturer it has rapport with.
Trump tariffs strike uncertainty for Tulsans

2 weeks ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Max Bryan

President Trump’s tariffs have generated economic uncertainty throughout the country, including in Tulsa’s city government. City Parks Director Anna America said at an April 2 City Council meeting that Trump’s 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum is driving up the cost of playground equipment. “People are nervous. We’ve had a number of instances where someone has told us, ‘These costs will go up on such-and-such a date,’ “ she said.
13 Tulsa schools moved off state improvement list; Walters expresses “excitement” over education department dissolving

2 weeks ago | publicradiotulsa.org | Ben Abrams

Tulsa Public Schools celebrated on Monday the announcement of 13 schools in the district being moved off the state’s Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) list, thanks to improvements in reading proficiency. One of those schools is Unity Learning Academy, where local and state education leaders held a press conference. State Superintendent Ryan Walters praised TPS Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson for the district’s efforts to improve students’ reading abilities.