CEDAR FALLS - Iowa Public Radio says programming will not be affected by its cut of nine positions statewide, including three at University of Northern Iowa.

The most notable name leaving IPR is Bob Dorr, who took early retirement effective Dec. 31. His popular shows "Backtracks" and "Down on the Corner" will remain on air through a contract that has yet to be finalized, said IPR CEO Mary Grace Herrington.

"We don't want to lose him. Bob Dorr is extremely popular with his programs and has a loyal following," she said.

A Studio One manager position vacated when Al Schares took a job in February as IPR's music director will not be filled. In addition to his new post, Herrington said Schares will continue to perform some of his old duties as Studio One manager.

A music librarian at UNI also took early retirement from a position Herrington called obsolete in an era of digital music.

University of Iowa and Iowa State University each also lost three positions. Four vacant positions will not be filled.

IPR said cutting 14 percent of its staff completes a reorganization that merges stations at each of the Iowa's three public universities into one statewide network. The universities fund about one-third of IPR's $6 million budget. IPR has said its goal is to reduce its reliance on university funding.

Herrington said this year membership is up 7 percent, and membership revenue is up 6 percent. According to station ratings, the number of IPR listeners has increased 22 percent since programming changes in 2007 divided IPR into three formats: news and information, classical music and alternative music.