For years terrestrial radio has struggled to remain relevant in the unending tide of digitally driven alternatives, but KPFT continues to demonstrate that, in the right hands, radio can still bring people together. Celebrating its 45th year on the air with a brand-new 100,000-watt transmitter last year, "The Mighty 90" now covers the entire Houston area and then some thanks to auxiliary frequencies in Galveston and Huntsville, which means its value as one of the very few non-corporate-controlled media outlets in the region has skyrocketed. One of the most important byproducts of such independence is a relentless focus on Houston that allows the station to involve as many voices from the community as possible, in both its music and its public-affairs programming. Now even more change than usual is looming, after longtime program director Ernesto Aguilar announced his departure this summer. His successor has huge, crucial shoes to fill.
READERS' CHOICE: 94.5 The Buzz