Gov. Dave Heineman Concludes Historic Call-In Show Thanking Nebraska Broadcasters & Listeners

Press Release

Today, Governor Dave Heineman is signing-off on the final Governor's Call-In Show of his administration. The monthly hour-long radio program is hosted and produced by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association (NBA) and carried by more than 25 NBA member stations creating statewide listening coverage. The show was the first of its kind in the United States and continues to be the longest-running program with a sitting United States Governor.

"I believe having an open door policy with the citizens of Nebraska since I was first elected, has helped me be the best Governor that I can be for our great citizens," said Gov. Heineman. "The Nebraska Broadcasters Association has presented an opportunity to speak directly with citizens from throughout the whole state on a monthly basis. I've appreciated the opportunity to listen to their thoughts and ideas, and have always made a point to help resolve their questions. It has been a tremendously enjoyable experience that I have looked forward to every month. I especially enjoy hearing from James from Blue Springs our first caller every month. Thank you to the Rick Alloway and the KFOR broadcast team, Nebraska Broadcasters Association and their stations, and the citizens for creating this legacy together that has directly helped so many folks."

During the broadcast, callers have had the chance to speak with Gov. Heineman directly to ask questions or to voice their opinion on a wide variety of topics. Today's program marked the 119th consecutive interview with Governor Heineman, the longest on record since the inception of the program during its 24 year history. Since 2005, Gov. Heineman has fielded an estimated 3000 calls from listeners of the program.

"On behalf of the members of the NBA, I want to thank Governor Dave Heineman for his "iron man' commitment to the Governor's Call-In Show," said Jim Timm, President/Executive Director of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association. "Governor Heineman never missed a show. With his final broadcast, he will have appeared on 119 consecutive shows. This underscores Gov. Heineman's commitment to hear what's on the minds of the citizens of Nebraska. We are very grateful for his support and have long considered him a friend of Broadcasters."

The program first aired in August of 1991, during the annual Nebraska Broadcasters Association's convention, held at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln. Then-Governor Ben Nelson participated in the program during his tenure in office, and later hosted a similar program on a quarterly basis while serving as U.S. Senator. The Governor's Call-In Show continued with then-Gov. Mike Johanns until he was named U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Gov. Heineman has continued the program. Gov.-elect Pete Ricketts is expected to continue this tradition.

Originally the Governor's Call-In Show was co-hosted by Charlie Brogan, at the time Program Director at KRVN in Lexington and University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications professor Hubert Brown. Current KRNU General Manager and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Journalism Professor Rick Alloway took over the hosting duties in 1992. Due to illness, Alloway was unable to host Gov. Heineman's final program. Brogan, currently with KFOR in Lincoln, hosted the program and thanked Governor Heineman for his long running support and involvement with the program. The program originates at KFOR and is uplinked to satellite courtesy of the IMG Husker Sports Network.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of over 100 over-the-air radio and TV stations across the state. The NBA assists member stations in serving the communities the FCC has licensed them to serve.

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