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Houston's beloved community radio station KPFT finds new home in historic neighborhood

KPFT's new home is in the heart of Third Ward.

Photo via KPFT

In July 2021, Houston’s beloved listener-supported station, KPFT, announced that it was moving out of its familiar home in Montrose (419 Lovett Blvd.) after ownership company Pacifica forced a sale of the eroding building.

Now, the cherished community station and hub will toast its 52nd year in a new facility. KPFT’s new HQ is located in Third Ward at 4504 Caroline St., a short jaunt to the Houston Community College Central Campus and The Ion, Rice’s innovation district.

“There’s no place like home,” said KPFT general manager Robert Franklin in a statement. “KPFT is moving to our new home in the heart of Houston. We are very excited and look forward to moving into our new building and welcoming all of our programmers and community supporters back to their favorite new community station home.”

Nestled in the Museum Park neighborhood, the station’s new location offers an opportunity to collaborate with neighboring cultural centers, including the Buffalo Soldiers Museum, The Mexican Institute, the Houston Museum of African American Culture, Asia Society, Holocaust Museum Houston, and the Clayton Genealogical Archive, according to a press release.

Launched in 1970, KPFT is one of Pacifica Foundation’s five original radio stations; others are located in New York, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area, and Washington, D.C.

The station has been a hallmark of specialty shows highlighting local and regional musical artists and genres. Programming has traditionally run with a decidedly left-leaning bent, focusing on local, national, and international public affairs, quality of life issues, and social justice platforms.

More than a mere radio station; KPFT quickly became a Montrose hangout and gathering center. The imminent sale, forced by building disrepair, sparked considerable concern among fans and supporters. For the past two years, the station has been mostly run remotely by volunteers during the search for a new home.

“This has been a team effort with the Pacifica national technical professional staff playing an important role in assuring that this location meets the many technical specifications that a radio station requires,” Pacifica National Board member Susan Young noted in a statement. “And we at KPFT are grateful for the unanimous support of the Pacifica National Board to go forward buying the new home for KPFT.”

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a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

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