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Timeline of MPR's history

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Barry and Kling
Minnesota Public Radio was founded in 1967 by Bill Kling and Colman Barry, president of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. Shown here is Barry, at left, and Kling at right. The station's first broadcast took place on Jan. 22, 1967.
MPR file photo

A brief history of Minnesota Public Radio, under the leadership of President and CEO Bill Kling.

1967: Minnesota Public Radio is founded by Bill Kling and St. John's University President Colman Barry at the school's campus in Collegeville. First broadcast on Jan. 22, 1967.

1970: Kling elected to serve as a founding trustee of National Public Radio.

1973: MPR builds first newsroom.

1974: MPR begins live broadcasting of A Prairie Home Companion.

1980: Kling receives Edward R. Murrow Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Radio.

1980: MPR moves to new offices and studios on Cedar Street in downtown St. Paul.

1983: MPR joins with public radio stations in Boston, New York and Los Angeles to form Public Radio International; Kling serves as founding chairman and CEO.

1991: MPR purchases 99.5 frequency; dedicates it to classical music programming.

1995: MPR expands reach to Internet.

2000: MPR acquires Marketplace.

2000: Southern California Public Radio founded.

2004: American Public Media founded.

2004: Kling inducted into Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

2005: 89.3 The Current launched.

2005: Completion of major expansion and renovation of MPR headquarters.

2009: MPR surpasses 100,000 financially supportive members.

2010: Kling announces his intention to step down as CEO, effective June 30, 2011.

2011: Jon McTaggart, chief operating officer, named to succeed Kling as CEO effective July 1.

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Barry and Kling
Minnesota Public Radio was founded in 1967 by Bill Kling and Colman Barry, president of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. Shown here is Barry, at left, and Kling at right. The station's first broadcast took place on Jan. 22, 1967.
MPR file photo