On this episode meet our news department here at KCSU with our directors Tyler Weatherwax and Audrey Donow as well as our very own news producer Gus Arnold. The news team is responsible for the Rocky Mountain Review here at KCSU and work diligently to bring you the news. Hear about how they got started here at KCSU as well as what makes them special and unique in their own ways.
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Transcription of episode
Euan Peart
Hey, hi, hello. I’m Euan, I’m the station manager here at KCSU. We are Colorado’s biggest student-run radio station, so there’s a lot of people to meet around here. So without further ado, here are my wonderful guests.
Tyler Weatherwax
I’m Tyler, I’m the news director here at KCSU.
Audrey Donow
I’m Audrey, I’m the assistant news director.
Gus Arnold
I’m Gus and I’m the news producer.
Euan
Yippee! Nice to meet you guys. So that covers my first question, which is, who are you guys? So, thank you for covering that. So, what exactly do you guys do? I know you guys do? I know you just had your jobs, but what do those exactly entail? What do you do around the office? What does that look like?
Tyler
Well, we here at the news team, we do the news. So every week we host two new shows, and myself and Audrey, we write up our scripts. We find all of the news that’s happening in Fort Collins and on campus and in the nation, we find weather, we do sports reports, we do all kinds of stuff. There’s a lot to that goes into news. We write up our scripts. We come in every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 5pm for the “Rocky Mountain Review”, and we do it live on the air. And then in the comes a podcast, and people listen to it, and they, they get their news.
Euan
Amazing.
Tyler
We also work with a lot of freelancers. I’ll say that.
Euan
Yeah!
Tyler
We have hopefully more freelancers coming in. But if you’re interested in becoming a freelancer, you can be a reporter for the news team here. It’s a lot of fun, I promise. I’m in charge of helping our reporters. So is Audrey and Gus and yeah, I edit the show. What else do I do? I don’t know. What do you guys do?
Audrey
I also write the script. I write for campus news and life and events, and then on Thursday, I write the sports broadcast. And then, yeah, I come in and we do it every Tuesday and Thursday. That’s really fun. And then we, we host our freelance meetings, and it’s, it’s really fun. We get to talk about some feature stories, and, yeah.
Tyler
And it’s a lot of, it’s a lot of moving parts while we do the show, so somebody has to help us with managing the show. We’d be nowhere without him.
Gus
And his name is Gus. He’s me. And basically what I do is I make sure that our awesome theme, we have, we have these, like, really cool news themes for our own show, like made for our show, and I make sure that those are playing at the right time. I make sure that the microphones are on at the same time and that the audio is not too loud, not too quiet, just the right, exact right, exact right sound. And yeah. Also I edit freelance stories. So, if any freelancers send stories in, I will edit those.
Euan
Yippee.
Gus
And I also edit our weekly sports broadcasts and music broadcasts from the KCSU music and sports teams.
Euan
So true. Awesome. Well, guys, that sounds pretty much exactly what KCSU does. So now we know what you do. Tell me about why did you end up at kcsu? How long have you been here? What has kept you around?
Audrey
I started at kcsu last year as a volunteer DJ, and it was really fun. I liked playing my music on air, and just like the whole community was really nice. So, I stuck around until this year, and I still have my show. And then I started as the assistant news director just this semester, when there was like, a flyer or whatever in the chat about the position, I was like, that seems really cool. And I really like doing journalism, media, news stuff, and I thought it would be so fun to be able to combine my love for like media and radio and do that together. So.
Euan
Perfect.
Gus
Basically, I joined KCSU about a year ago. I actually came to CSU as a political science major, and I realized that I was I was bored with my schoolwork. I was bored with everything. I needed a nice little extra curricular activity to do, and I realized that KCSU was so cool. I started a show, it was so awesome. And I realized that there’s so much opportunity here. And I applied for the news producer position, and I got it and so grateful. It’s been a great time. And I actually, I’d say that KCSU, big part in me changing my major to a journalism major because of all of the amazing journalism opportunities they provide here. So yeah.
Tyler
I got involved with KCSU two years ago now. I joined as a DJ in the fall semester of 2022 and then, actually, before that, I was a DJ at my local radio station when I was in high school. So I’ve been a DJ for a fat minute now, probably for at least, let’s see, October 2021 was when I started, so for a while.
Euan
Wow.
Tyler
And then I started DJ-ing here, and I really enjoyed it. And then I wanted to write articles about, like, music and concerts and stuff happening. And I got really into writing articles that spring semester my freshman year, and then I realized we had a news team the fall semester after that, and I was like, oh, this looks so cool. Like I’m already, like, really comfortable with talking on the air, and I already really like reporting on stuff, and I already have, like, my foot in the door at KCSU. And so I applied for the assistant news director job in 2023, I got that, and then this year, I moved up to the news director job, and that’s how I got here. So I love it. Yeah.
Euan
Beautiful. Wow, guys. That was kind of awesome. I always love hearing people’s like, stories of how they got here. And I think it’s always awesome seeing that effect afterward. My story is so not cool compared to, like, anyone else’s. My story’s, my roommate had a show, and I showed up once, I was like, man, I should do this. And then I did. So everyone else was like, well, I like the environment, and I thought it was really neat. And I saw it before I came to campus, and I’m like, eh, I just thought it’d be fun to try it out. I didn’t even think I was gonna do a show once I finished training.
Tyler
Fun fact, when I toured CSU, I interrogated our CEO of Rocky Mountain student media corporation, Pete. I found Pete in his office, and I was like, how do I get involved? Who do I talk to? I had no idea that he was the, like, CEO of, like, the whole corporation. I was like, I want to get involved. Like, give me a way to sign up, like, now. And it was like, that summer, so. I will always remember that as a fun memory for, like, the for literally, the first time I walked through the door. So.
Euan
That’s super that’s so funny. Yeah, see, that says something I did not even think of when I was signing up for CSU. I was like, there’s probably stuff going on. I didn’t even do anything my whole freshman year. Like, that’s my sophomore year. I pulled up here. I was like, maybe I’ll try this. It was really weird. Anyways, less about me, more about you. Let’s talk about, what are some of your favorite live events you guys have attended? This could be anything you could do a concert. This could be a sports game. This could be like a circus, anything live, anything you’ve ever been to. Could be like mice running around. I don’t know just what is your favorite or a few of your favorite live events that you’ve attended.
Audrey
I can start. My favorite concert I’ve ever been to was Phoebe Bridgers in May of 2022, at Red Rocks. And I had tickets for like, a year, and then I was just so excited to go, and I got, like, seated so close, and I cried the entire show. And then she played an unreleased song, or no, it was released, but she’d never played it live, so it was really awesome. And then also, I went to the circus over the summer, and it was really fun. And they did a bunch of, like, acrobatic tricks, and I feel like I was, like, screaming the whole time. It was so impressive.
Euan
Wait, where was the circus you went to?
Audrey
It was like, in Grand Lake area.
Tyler
I’m from Grand Lake.
Euan
Woah!
Tyler
Anytime anyone says Grand Lake, I’m like, oh, I know that place. I’m from there.
Audrey
Did you go to the circus?
Tyler
No, but I know what you’re talking about. It’s like, right next to the ski shop in Winter Park, right? Across from the Safeway?
Audrey
Yes.
Tyler
Yeah, I’ve always wanted to go there.
Euan
Oh, like, in the mountains. Oh, yeah, okay, I went to a circus this summer too, but it was not in the mountains. It’s around Loveland area, is where I went to mine so, I don’t. But shoutout circuses over the summer, guys.
Audrey
Yeah.
Euan
Okay, Tyler and Gus. What do you got for me?
Tyler
I have been to see the Rolling Stones twice, and they were by far the best concert I went to some once in Vegas, and I win some once in Denver. I cried at both of them because the music was so good. I was, like, overwhelmed. So that was really cool. Another great live event that I have a lot of fun at is, whenever my band plays live, it’s a really cool it’s like a new thing for me, but it’s a really cool experience of like, whoa, like I’m on stage and I’m playing an instrument.
Euan
So cool.
Tyler
And then another live event that’s really fun is, I don’t know. I like sporting events a lot. I like Bronco games. I’ve been going to Bronco games for a long time. I like CSU Rams football as well. So those are fun. I’d say Bronco games probably
Euan
Cool.
Gus
For me, it is easily Camp Flog Gnaw, 2023.
Euan
Woah.
Gus
It was about a year ago to this date. It was so easily, it was so awesome. It was like, Disneyland. For me, was so crazy. They were like, themed, like, all the concessions were like, themed to like, people who were performing there. There was Pusha T coffee, there was like, it was so great. It was the coolest. It was such an awesome experience. Definitely the best music festival I’ve ever been to, and so many cool performers. I could talk about it for so long, but easily my favorite. It was so awesome, so so many awesome themes and vibes and performers. I don’t know.
Euan
Incredible. That’s so incredible. I think I said the Harlem Globetrotters game for this one. I was really tired when we recorded my episode. I was like, I don’t know if I’ve ever to been to anything, but the reason, that’s so, you guys, yours are so much better than mine. Like cool concert. You guys are so cool. Hey, if anyone ever says that news is boring, come talk to my news team. Okay, these guys go crazy. Okay, this next question. This is a timed question. It’s a unique one, so please hold for a second while I prepare. Once I ask the question, you’re gonna have 30 seconds to answer. You guys ready? Okay, cool. In the next 30 seconds name as many horses as you can. Go!
Audrey
Spirit, Bojack Horseman, and Blucifer.
Tyler
Sea Biscuit.
Gus
Horse off of Beyonce album cover.
Audrey
A Palomino horse. One of those tiny little ponies.
Gus
Bronco.
Euan
You have 3 seconds.
Tyler
Aw, man. I don’t know.
Euan
Okay, that’s time. I love that. Okay, congratulations guys, you named a whole 8 horses. I think that’s a pretty good, if I, I’m putting together a leaderboard at the end of the semester once I’ve recorded with everyone, so I’m gonna, like post it on one of the boards in the station and everyone can see the statistics. I think 8 is on the higher end, but don’t quote me on that one. People are gonna, people, like, with these, like, 3, 2-3 persons departments. People gonna start, like, pulling together like, well, they had three people, and I only had myself. I’ll be like, well.
Tyler
Excuses.
Euan
Excuses. Yeah, horses per capita. Be like, well I have. Okay, well, then after we’ve named our number of horses, a number of horses, let me say, eight of them. What this next question is kind of somber, not really, but like for a second, you’re like, whoa. What would be your last meal if you were to have a last meal? That could be, like one last single meal, or it could be like for your last like meal time, you could have, like, 2, 3, 4, courses, like, well, I want this and this for the first, and this and this for the second, and then separately, or kind of conjunction, as a conjunction, what would be the entertainment that you would have to go with your last meal? So, like, you could do, like, the classic YouTube and dinner. You could do a dinner at the movies. You could do, like, just go to Waffle House and, like, watch the fight at Waffle House.
Tyler
I have two questions.
Euan
Yes, two answers.
Tyler
Is this like a death row situation, like you’re walking the plank, like, this meal?
Euan
Yes, this is your final meal, yes
Tyler
And does our entertainment has to be, does it have to be like, possible, or can it be like?
Euan
No, it’s completely…
Tyler
Out of the realm of reality.
Euan
We have to deliver it to you because it is, it is your last meal and entertainment. We have to give it to you regardless, even if it’s like, nonexistent real things like it would be, it could be like this tiny little rubber duck on on my desk here, brought to life and sings you your favorite song.
Tyler
Perfect. Okay, so I think for my last meal I would have some homemade, it’s a meal called krautstrudel, and it’s really good, at least that’s what I think it’s called. We have, there’s like 10 different names for it, cabbage burgers, krautstrudel, or however you want to say it, but it’s like Pillsbury Doughboy dough, and then it’s like, cabbage and beef, and it’s like, rolled up in like a hot pocket, and then you bake it, and it’s really, really good. And my family has been eating it for like a bazillion years, and it’s delicious. So I’d probably have that as well as, like, a really good Philly cheesesteak sandwich, and then, like, some crispy fries, and then maybe, like, one single slice of pizza, yeah.
Euan
That’s awesome.
Tyler
And then for my entertainment, I would have like a montage of, like, my coolest moments.
Euan
Woah.
Tyler
Like, the coolest things I’ve done. I’d have like a montage, like, flash through of like, okay…
Euan
Wow.
Tyler
…that was really cool. I remember when I did that, so.
Euan
That’s awesome.
Tyler
Yeah.
Audrey
I think I’ve actually thought about this a lot, because this is my go-to, like, icebreaker question.
Euan
Oh, nice.
Audrey
So I think about like, drink, appetizer, meal and dessert.
Euan
Sweet.
Audrey
So I think for my drink I would have like a Shirley Temple.
Euan
Yes.
Audrey
And then appetizer, I would have crab rangoons.
Euan
Yes!
Audrey
And then for my entree, I would have, like ravioli, maybe, with like, pesto.
Euan
You’re cooking. You’re cooking.
Audrey
And then for dessert, I would have key lime pie, but specifically from this place in Denver. I don’t know what it’s called, but it’s really good.
Euan
That’s awesome.
Audrey
And then for my entertainment, I think the first thing that came to mind was all of season two of “New Girl”.
Euan
Whoa, that’s really cool. I would also like your last meal. That sounds perfect. Wow. Alright, we got one more.
Gus
For my meal, I think I would just have a nice old like, mac and cheese from noodles and company, because I ate a lot of that growing up. And it’d be like, it’d be like that scene from “Ratatouille”, where he like, where the old guy eats it, and he like, thinks of his like he thinks of himself as a kid. And I think that would bring me back to, to my roots. In some ways, my entertainment would probably be. I don’t know, I’d want it to be like a premiere of a movie. I think that would be really cool.
Euan
Woah.
Gus
A premiere of an upcoming, I don’t know.
Euan
What movie?
Gus
A premiere of the upcoming movie, “Marty Supreme”. It’s Tyler, The Creator’s first movie role.
Euan
Woah.
Gus
And it’s starring Tyler, The Creator and Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by one of the, directed “Uncut Gems”, so excited for it.
Euan
Wait, it’s real?
Gus
Yeah, it’s a real movie. 100%.
Euan
Woah.
Gus
They’re like, pictures of like on the set and stuff. Looks so cool.
Euan
Woah.
Gus
Looks so sick.
Euan
I didn’t know anything about this.
Gus
But I think that would be pretty sick.
Euan
That would be really cool.
Gus
I’d think that’d be pretty sick. And then maybe like another, just some comfort movies, too. I don’t know.
Euan
That’s awesome.
Gus
During a double screening.
Euan
“The Princess Bride”.
Gus
I don’t know, maybe not, I don’t know. Something more like-
Euan
Gus didn’t like “The Princess Bride”.
Gus
I don’t, no, I did not like “The Princess Bride”. I don’t know, I think I-
Euan
Put him, flame him, flame him in the comments.
Gus
No, no, no.
Audrey
Get him!
Euan
I’m just joking. Well guys, thanks so much for answering my questions. Been a wonderful time having you in the studio. But, this has been KCSU’s Beyond the Radiowaves. Thank you so much for listening. Tune in next time to meet Austin, Trey, and Phoenix in sports. But for now, these have been our friends in news, Tyler, Audrey, and Gus. Thanks for coming on. Do you guys have any shows or anything you want to plug?
Tyler
Listen to the Rocky Mountain Review. It’s really good, we provide some pretty solid news, I feel like. It’s a really digestible way to get all your news, as well. You can listen to the comforting voices of us, so. Or if you hate out voices, you can read our article.
Euan
Alright, thank you guys so much. Bye!