CEDAR FALLS - Officials at KUNI and KHKE public radio stations are keeping an open mind about the new merger with counterparts at other Iowa regents universities.

They say some early indications in the process give them hope the changes in store for the University of Northern Iowa-based stations will be constructive.

The Board of Regents Thursday consolidated stations at the three state universities, on the recommendation of the consulting firm, Bornstein & Associates.

John Hess, KUNI/KHKE director of broadcasting, said the consultant's emphasis on the need for programs relating to local and state concerns dovetails with the mission of the UNI stations.

"News and information is one of the driving forces in this, and KUNI is providing that service to a big portion of the state. I think that bodes well for the station," Hess said.

As for programming changes, "it's still too early to tell at this point," Hess said.

But, he said, KUNI programs such as "Live from Studio One" and "Down on the Corner" provide a platform for local and regional musicians. Also, KUNI's locally produced night music show, featuring acclaimed, new music, draws comparatively young listeners.

"What I picked up on most from the consultant's report was that public radio in Iowa has to be local; it has to have some kind of local component," Hess said. "If public radio is more local and speaks to local needs and local concerns, it's going to be of more value to the listener."

The merger's next step is setting up an executive committee with representation from each university to oversee the statewide organization. That group will select an executive director, who will preside over the consolidation. Completing the merger could take about a year, Hess said.

The local volunteer fund-raising group, Friends of KUNI/KHKE, may play a role in the process. The group is the only private nonprofit foundation supporting public radio in the state, and Bornstein & Associates suggested creating a similar Friends group statewide.

Friends of KUNI/KHKE has been approached to consider reformulating its charter to serve as the foundation for the statewide group, a request the local group will consider at a future meeting.

"It would probably move quicker that way, rather than starting from scratch with a new organization," said Steve Firman, Friends board president.

He was pleased to hear of plans for each station to retain a local flavor.

"KUNI is unique, and we hope to see that uniqueness maintained," Firman said. "Time will tell."

Station employees also are concerned about how the change could affect their employment.

Hess said, "People get nervous in change, but I think ultimately we can provide a better service working with the other stations than we can competing against one another."

Jim Stanton can be contacted at (319) 291-1520 or jim.stanton@wcfcourier.com.