Newstalk 580 KMJ will air “The Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition,” a weekly one hour public affairs program on issues impacting all of Central California, 9-10am, Sundays starting Jan. 6.

According to Patty Hixson, General Manager and Senior Vice President for KMJ, “As the Central Valley’s news talk leader, Newstalk 580 KMJ believes it is our obligation to present high quality news programs on issues important to Valley. The Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition program is just another example of our commitment to the region.”

KMJ, which uses a 50,000 watt transmitter, can be heard throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Its signal can be picked up as far south as Santa Clarita and as far north as San Francisco. The program will also be podcast on iTunes.

The first half-hour of “The Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition” will be an audio version of the weekly half-hour television program “The Maddy Report,”seen on KSEE 24 (NBC-Fresno), KVPT (PBS-Valley), KVIE (PBS-Sacramento) and on the California Channel (Statewide). “The Maddy Report” focuses on public policy issues being addressed at the State Capital and in Washington, D.C. that are important to California and the San Joaquin Valley.

Juan Arambula, incoming chair of The Maddy Institute, said “The Maddy Report-Valley View Editionwill undoubtedly, advance our mission of fostering more informed discussion and a more engaged electorate.”

The second half hour will focus the conversation on how the particular topic specifically impacts Valley residents. To ensure a wide range of viewpoints and an informative discussion, guests with views from across the political spectrum and from throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley will be invited to participate. 

The first program will discuss the recent “fiscal cliff” standoff and Congressional gridlock. Guests will be U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno), U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Visalia). Also joining in the discussion will be Michael Doyle, Washington D.C.-based national correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers, Nate Monroe, UC Merced political science professor and Paul Hurley, former editorial page editor for the Visalia Times Delta.Mark Keppler, the executive director of the Maddy Institute will moderate.

“The goal of The Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition will be to provide a balanced, fact-based and thought-provoking examination of issues facing the San Joaquin Valley—from Bakersfield to Stockton and every city in between,” Keppler said. “We are very pleased to be partnering with KMJ on this project.”

Fresno State President John D. Welty said “As our region’s premier engaged university, we take seriously our obligation to encourage the free and open debate of ideas. The objective of these programs is to help inform the public on the important issues to our region.”

The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno was established in 1999 by a unanimous vote of the California Legislature in honor of State Senator Ken Maddy and his 28 years of public service demonstrating the successful application of personal integrity, legislative know-how and bipartisanship for the governance of the State of California.

The mission of the Maddy Institute includes providing non-partisan, interdisciplinary and fact-driven analysis of public policy issues impacting our region and state. The Institute provides practical training for local officials and civic leaders, internships for Valley university students with local state and federal legislators, as well as symposia on a range of topics relating to public policy and public administration.

For more information, contact Mark Keppler, executive director of The Maddy Institute, at 559.278.1133 or mkeppler@csufresno.edu
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