Editor's Note: Heather Polen, KFUG's new executive director, penned this In Media Res piece. Polen comes to KFUG with a background in local radio. KPOD's Bill Stamps Sr. gave Polen her first job when she was just 15 — a six-hour radio show every Saturday — so she knows her way around a radio station. Polen has been involved with KFUG's Board of Directors starting in 2024 and is helping the station continue Critz's "dogged insistence that everyone has a voice." In a world where the loudest voices often belong to the wealthiest platforms, it's easy to forget the value of small, independent media, the kind built not for profit, but for people. In Del Norte County, we’re lucky to have two such treasures: KFUG Community Radio and Redwood Voice. These aren’t just media outlets, they’re lifelines for truth, creativity, connection and they thrive because of a community that believes in the power of local voices. KFUG (that’s K-Fug, and yes, the name alone tells you you’re in for something different) is community radio at its best, proudly quirky, fiercely independent, and deeply rooted in Crescent City and the surrounding region. In an age of playlists programmed by AI and news spun by corporate interest, KFUG is refreshingly real. Its shows are hosted by neighbors, elders, youth, musicians, activists, care providers and people who simply care enough to speak up and share something meaningful. Here, you might hear a local punk band one hour, and a thoughtful conversation about mental health, housing or education the next. It’s a place where the eccentric and the essential exist side by side — a true reflection of our community’s spirit. KFUG honors every voice, not because it has to but because it wants to. It recognizes that the stories of Del Norte County are worth telling, not despite their rawness, because of it. Alongside KFUG, Redwood Voice is doing the work so many larger outlets have abandoned. Telling stories that matter, especially for young people, underserved voices and communities often left out of the narrative. Whether it’s covering local politics, addressing social justice issues or producing youth-led multimedia content, Redwood Voice embodies journalism that’s rooted in truth, curiosity and justice. Together we prove that meaningful media doesn't require billion dollar budgets, it requires commitment, creativity and community. The young journalists at Redwood Voice ask real questions. They listen, and they remind us that journalism is not dead, it’s just been driven underground, or in this case, grown proudly in the redwoods. KFUG wouldn’t exist without the visionary spark and gritty determination of its founder, Paul Critz. Paul believed in the transformative power of community radio, in the dignity of every voice and in the importance of telling our own stories. He was more than just a broadcaster, he was a builder of space, physical and cultural, where people could come together, be heard and belong. Paul’s voice was distinctive, kind, curious, and a little irreverent, sometimes a lot irreverent, and it shaped not only the sound of KFUG, but its soul. Though he has made the difficult decision to resign, he is always with us. His spirit continues to guide the station. Every time the mics go live, every time a young person nervously speaks their truth on air, every time a neighbor shares music or an idea, that’s Paul’s legacy in action. The KFUG Board of Directors who carry this work forward do so with gratitude and resolve, knowing we’re continuing something sacred. We don’t just remember Paul’s vision, we honor him by keeping the signal alive. None of this happens in a vacuum. KFUG andRedwood Voice exist because of the people who believe in us, who tune in, donate, volunteer, spread the word, and show up. If you’ve ever shared a KFUG broadcast, mentored a youth reporter, sponsored a segment, or simply listened with your heart open, thank you. You are part of something rare and vital in our community. Supporting community media isn’t just about keeping a station on the air. It’s about defending the idea that every person, every place, every story has worth. It’s about trusting the strange, brilliant, quirky, beautiful mess of local life to tell us more than any national broadcast ever could. So, we will keep broadcasting, you keep tuning in. Let’s keep telling our stories. Let’s keep building a media landscape that reflects the richness of Del Norte County and our indomitable spirit — not the airbrushed version, but the real thing — layered, complex, and full of life. To everyone who helps KFUG and Redwood Voice do what we do, your support is more than appreciated, it's revolutionary. And in a world desperate for honest connection, that matters more than ever. And to Paul, we’re still on the air, still raising our voices, still pushing the boundaries. Thank you for giving us the frequency to believe in ourselves. Enjoy the picture you took, I am taking the portrait of Bill.