Public radio network.(Outtakes: An Inside Look Into Arkansas Media)

Arkansas' public radio stations and a couple of stations in border cities have formed a co-op of sorts to provide statewide news.

"We've been working together for a few weeks now, sharing stories amongst ourselves," KUAR, 89.1-FM, General Manager Ben Fry said Tuesday.

KUAR, Fayetteville's KUAF, Jonesboro's KASU, Memphis' WKNO and KTXK in Texarkana, Texas, now share feature and extended stories through a system set up by the Little Rock station.

The stations had discussed the idea since the 1990s, but never implemented it for fear too much work was required--until this year when they took the "let's-jump-in-the-water-and-swim mentality," Fry said.

KUAR had picked up about six stories by last week, all from Fayetteville's station, Ron Breeding, news and program director, said.

The goal is to develop a news-gathering system for the state, much like KARN, 102.9-FM's Arkansas Radio Network. Breeding worked at KARN before moving to KUAR in 2000.

Breeding hopes to further develop the network, which goes by the bland and unofficial title of the Arkansas Public Radio Network.

"The next step is training to help develop the news staff at the other locations," Breeding said. The goal is to produce radio coverage for all stations of any major daily event taking place in Arkansas. Breeding has not set a timetable for possible training.

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