PRESS RELEASE: COMMUNITY RADIO KNSJ 89.1 FM SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE WHEN WINTER STORM TOPPLED ITS RENTED TOWER

A KNSJ fundraising campaign has been created. Click Here to Donate.

February 27, 2026

Our volunteers have confirmed that the American Tower Company’s tower on Monument Peak at 6,200 ft. elevation collapsed in the February winter storm due to severe ice accumulation and wind. The tower where KNSJ rented space since beginning broadcasting on July 4th, 2013, is now a crumpled pile of steel and cabling. The tower also hosted two cell phone transfer stations, for AT&T and T-Mobile, as well as several other smaller clients. KNSJ was the only broadcast station on the tower. KNSJ is still streaming online, but restoring our broadcast signal will require urgent funding for engineering, equipment, and a possible new site.

DEVASTATING EXPENSE

There is no way yet to assess the total losses KNSJ will sustain from this catastrophic collapse, which happened through no fault of our own. For the last six years, our antenna has been brutalized by falling ice from the new installations above us, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage and time off the air. We had developed a strategy to overcome this problem when tragedy struck.

PROGNOSIS: BIG EXPENSES AHEAD

It initially cost KNSJ supporters and donors upwards of $50,000 (in 2013 dollars) in labor and equipment to establish ourselves at this location. The station was built without any outside funding from grants or foundations. Since 2013, hundreds of hours of labor have been spent maintaining and improving our installation with the most recent engineering provided by KNSJ’s chief engineer, Tony McDaid, and regular consulting services by Chris Durso. Chris Durso, a radio engineer formerly with KPBS, speculates that rebuilding the tower will take more than one year, adding “if ever,” suggesting that the American Tower Company may not rebuild.

A VERY DIFFICULT CHALLENGE

This bleak assessment means that KNSJ could be off the air for one year, which could exceed the legally permitted time the FCC allows for a full-power radio station to be silent. We have already begun seeking an alternative site; even if that move is temporary, it will be costly. Monument Peak was the ideal place for our antenna when we first applied with the FCC for the station because it had a line of sight to the Pacific Ocean as the highest peak in southern San Diego County and has provided a signal all the way down to the shore and downtown San Diego, and reached from Tijuana up the coast to Highway 52 to the north.

INDEPENDENT MEDIA IS CRITICAL

The destruction of our broadcasting capability comes at a most unfortunate juncture. After receiving a generous seed money grant from the Prebys Foundation to support independent media and journalism, KNSJ was in the process of dramatically expanding its vision and role in San Diego and the Imperial Valley. KNSJ’s Steering Committee, as well as its parent license holder, Activist San Diego, firmly believe that independent media will play a crucial role in defending democracy and freedom of speech in these troubled times. KNSJ has been reaching out to other independent and non-profit media outlets to initiate collaborations and a future consortium to share resources, believing that we can all be stronger, and more sustainable working together.

KNSJ PHONE APP COMING SOON!

KNSJ was already planning to increase its online presence through a phone app (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled) that will give listeners not only easy access to programming from anywhere in the world, but also an opportunity to communicate with station management. This phone app is expected to go live in the next 60-90 days and will provide 24/7 news and public affairs on one channel and 24/7 locally curated music on another. To sign up to be notified when the app is available for download, please visit: https://news.knsj.org/sign-up-to-be-notified/

JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN TO REBUILD!

A monumental fundraising campaign has already been created, with the intent to rebuild the broadcasting side of KNSJ and build out two smaller FM stations in the Imperial Valley. The tower may have collapsed, but certainly not the will and determination of our KNSJ producers, listeners, and supporters who depend on the free flow of information to guide their civic engagement. To contribute any amount and share with family and friends, please visit us HERE.

Donations can also be made via check made payable to: Activist San Diego (a registered non-profit), PO Box 5631, San Diego, CA 92165. Add KNSJ to the checks memo line.

Martin Eder 619-871-9354 Martin@KNSJ.org

Marie Johnson 619-283-1100 marie@KNSJ.org

THE ELECTRIC PICNIC with Susan Taylor Wed 3pm, Sat 7pm, Mon 8am

Author FRANÇOIS BEREAUD

Joining François are his son Nicolas Bereaud and his niece Kastell Quesada.

François Bereaud is a husband, dad, full time math professor, mentor in the San Diego Congolese refugee community, and mediocre hockey player. He is the author of San Diego Stories published by Cowboy Jamboree Press and the novel, A Question of Family published by Stanchion Press. He has been widely published online and in print. His work has earned Pushcart Best of the Net, and Best Small Fictions nominations. He serves as the fiction editor at The Twin Bill and reads for Porcupine Literary. Links to his writing at

francoisbereaud.com.

https://www.stanchionzine.com/product-page/a-question-of-family

mhttps://www.amazon.com/San-Diego-Stories-Fran%C3%A7ois-Bereaud/dp/B0F3CLWD2G/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title

FRIENDLY FIRE with Don Kimball Wed 7 pm, Sat 2pm

Ben Karimi and Matthew Hoh

A Show for and About Veterans

Tonight Don is in conversation with peace activist Ben Karimi and Matthew Hoh, Associate Director at the Eisenhower Media Network, past State Department official, former US Marine Captain combat veteran and Veterans For Peace, speak about the gathering storm in the Middle East as another war between Israel and the US against Iran appears imminent.

FRIENDLY FIRE with Don Kimball Wed 7pm, Sat 2pm

A Show for and About Veterans

Tune in to Friendly Fire tonight to hear from two Veterans for Peace members just back from Minneapolis where one of them landed in jail.

FRIENDLY FIRE with Don Kimball, Sat 2pm, Wed 7pm

A Show For and About Veterans

Today, a Friendly Fire EXCLUSIVE with Zahid and Melissa Chaudhry.

Hear the heartbreaking story of a disabled US Army veteran torn away from his family by ICE. Recently reunited with his wife and two children, this is the first time he’s spoken publicly about his struggle to gain the US citizenship his deserves.

What Will the Future Look Like in the ‘New World Order?’

JOHN MEARSHEIMER

Donald Trump believes that U.S. economic and military might are all he needs to become a benign dictator and achieve unilateral control over America’s allies — what will the effects of this policy be?

John Mearsheimer, the renowned scholar, author and R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, joins host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report to contextualize what Trump’s political missions mean through the lens of history.

“Things like soft power, things like international institutions, international law, allies, they’re just not important to [Trump],” Mearsheimer says. “[Trump] thinks that U.S. economic might and U.S. military might are all he needs to basically be a benign dictator and act unilaterally and get what he wants around the world.”

With this thinking, there are real threats to the world order, Mearsheimer argues, especially Europe and East Asia. In Europe, Trump’s disregard for international law and alliances, such as NATO, alarms a leadership class that has always relied on American security guarantees. In East Asia, China’s dominance and lack of adherence to the Western imperial status quo may become a flashpoint similar to that in Europe before World War I.

“For the first time in our history, we face a serious problem in East Asia. Imperial Japan was not that big a problem… China is a completely different story. This is a formidable power. Really, we’ve never seen anything like this when you look at the key building blocks of military power, the size of the population, the wealth, the ability to develop sophisticated technologies better than we do.”

TALK OF THE TOWN with Mike Aguirre LIVE Call-In Show Sat 11am

OFF SHORE OIL DRILLING IN SAN DIEGO?

RICHARD CHARTER

Call us with questions or comments at 619-790-KNSJ (5675)

Richard Charter spent much of his early childhood growing up among the tidepools of the Northern California coast. He currently directs the Local Government OCS Coordination Program, a project of the County of Santa Cruz, continuing four decades of professional dedication to protecting fragile marine ecosystems. Richard engaged with four Administrations in Washington and multiple Members of Congress to maintain the bipartisan 27-year annual renewal of the offshore drilling moratorium that long protected the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific coasts as well as Florida’s Gulf Coast and Panhandle from expanded offshore oil and gas leasing.

Richard coordinated the local government support leading to the designation of California’s Greater Farallones, Cordell Bank, Channel Islands, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries and helped secure a declaration of permanent protection from offshore drilling for Alaska’s fishery-rich Bristol Bay in 2015.

Richard is currently working to coordinate local government and public responses to the current Trump Five-Year Offshore Drilling Plan, to protect California’s Marine Sanctuaries, and to address the emerging global threat posed by seabed mining. He is co-producer of the award-winning documentary film on seabed mining, “Defend the Deep”, which can be viewed online at http://TheDeepMovie.org

For those wishing to participate in the current campaign to protect the California Coast from offshore drilling, his project’s website is http://SaveMyCoast.org

With Grant Oliphant and Crystal Page Fri 8am

Today’s Guest is Amina Sheik Mohamed

Amina Sheik Mohamed is a dedicated advocate for health equity and cultural inclusivity. Her incredible work led her to be awarded one of Prebys Foundation’s inaugural Leadership Awards. As the Founder and Director of the Refugee Health Unit at UC San Diego, Amina has been instrumental in championing initiatives that empower immigrant communities in San Diego County. In this episode, she joins host Grant Oliphant to explore the intricate connections between community health and cultural identity.

Amina is committed to improving positive health outcomes for the refugee community in San Diego by promoting health equity and making sure that community members have a voice in how their needs are met. She shares her experiences in developing collaborative programs that not only address immediate health needs but also foster long-term well-being and agency. Amina emphasizes the importance of trust and relationship-building in healthcare, advocating for systems that genuinely reflect the needs and values of the communities they serve.

This episode examines how we can bridge gaps in healthcare access through cultural competence and community engagement. Learn how Amina Sheik Mohamed is leading efforts to create a healthier, more inclusive future in San Diego County.

Join Grant Oliphant and Crystal Page as they sit down to explore the vibrant and evolving landscape of San Diego County, through the lens of the Prebys Foundation’s mission and vision. In Stop & Talk, Grant and Crystal engage in thought-provoking conversations with local leaders, changemakers, and community builders who are passionate about creating a more inclusive, purposeful, and opportunity-rich San Diego

Each episode offers an inside look into the foundation’s journey, discoveries, and partnerships while highlighting the work being done to cultivate belonging and drive positive change across the region. Whether it’s amplifying the voices of upcoming leaders or fostering collaborative solutions to the region’s most pressing challenges, Stop & Talk is your go-to space for inspiration and insight on what’s possible when people come together with intention and vision.

https://stopandtalkpodcast.com

KNSJ FM COMMUNITY MEETING TONIGHT AT 6:30. FOR ZOOM LINK CALL 619-283-1100

ALL AGES WELCOME

KNSJ FM COMMUNITY RADIO IN SAN DIEGO IS A DYNAMIC STATION WITH A UNIQUE PLATFORM. JOIN OUR MEETING. WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOU AND YOUR INTERESTS. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED IN CHANGE. COMMUNITY RADIO IS POWERFUL AND IN TOUCH WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, EVENTS, NEWS AND THE CREATIVE ARTS. BESIDES HAVING INFORMATIVE SHOWS AND INTERVIEWS-CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE RIGHT HERE WHO TELL THEIR STORIES AND EXPERIENCES, WE HAVE A FANTASTIC ECLECTIC MUSIC BLOCK WITH SAN DIEGO DJs SPINNING VINYL AND CAREFULLY CURATING MUSIC YOU WILL HEAR ONLY ON YOUR LOCAL STATION–KNSJ FM.

FRIENDLY FIRE with Don Kimball Wed 7pm, Sat 2pm

 
A Friendly Fire exclusive with Zahid and Melissa Chaudhry. Hear the heartbreaking story of a disabled US Army veteran torn away from his family by ICE. Recently reunited with his wife and two children, this is the first time he’s spoken publicly about his struggle to gain the US citizenship his deserves.