WLRN, school board settle legal battle. What it means for the station’s future
A dispute that raised questions about the future of South Florida’s NPR station, WLRN, has been resolved.
South Florida Public Media Group, which manages WLRN, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which holds the station’s broadcasting license, announced the settlement on Wednesday after the school board approved the deal without discussion.
“Both parties are dedicated to ensuring that the integrity, quality, and goodwill of WLRN remain strong for our community,” the two entities said in a joint statement. “Our joint priority is to protect the employees and resources that support the high-quality journalism and programming that make WLRN a community treasure.”
The settlement will allow South Florida Public Media Group to move forward with a $6.5 million deal to acquire a radio station in West Palm Beach, WFLM “The Flame,” expanding its reach into Palm Beach and Martin counties. The school board had sued WLRN’s management company in September, saying the purchase violated a contract with the district and diverted funds to a station that would compete with WLRN for listeners.
Under the deal finalized Wednesday, South Florida Public Media Group will transfer the West Palm Beach station to the school board. A management agreement between South Florida Public Media Group and the school board that was set to expire in June 2027 will be extended for seven years.
The agreement also brings a leadership shakeup to WLRN. Tom Hudson, the station’s senior economics correspondent, was appointed as South Florida Public Media Group’s interim CEO, replacing John LaBonia.
Richard Rampell, the former board chair for WLRN’s management company, resigned last month.
Rampell had sparred with school district officials and accused the district of trying to exert undue influence over WLRN’s operations. Some of his inflammatory remarks prompted WLRN staff to send a letter to management expressing fear that the dispute could jeopardize the station’s future.
In his resignation letter, Rampell accused the school board of seeking a settlement that would “emasculate our journalistic independence and steal our money.” He cited a proposal by the school board to give the district a second seat on South Florida Public Media Group’s board, as well as more say in the appointment of the station’s CEO and greater oversight of WLRN’s spending.
Representatives for the school district did not immediately provide the Miami Herald with a copy of the finalized settlement agreement.
In their joint statement Wednesday, the district and the station struck a conciliatory tone.
“As we move forward together, we remain focused on maintaining the excellence the public expects from WLRN,” the statement said.
