New Talk Radio Station Offers “The Truth”

A new FM talk radio station, 101.7 The Truth, will launch January 4th.

“101.7 The Truth is an audio platform that will embrace Milwaukee’s black community – a marketplace where authentic conversations will challenge and inspire; incorporating raw, honest perspectives true to what is really going on in our communities,” said Good Karma Brands in announcing the new station Monday.

Hosts range from radio veteran Sherwin Hughes to activist Tory Lowe.

The station will offer new, local programming from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each weekday. Programs will re-air in the off hours.

Good Karma, which first announced plans for the station in September, also owns Newsradio 620 WTMJ, 94.5 ESPN and 540 ESPN.

“At Good Karma Brands, we believe every voice matters – but as the events of this past year unfolded, we realized there were underrepresented voices that had so much to say and needed to be heard,” said founder and CEO Craig Karmazin in September.

“Our goal when recruiting was to find talent who were unapologetically and authentically Milwaukee, and we are confident we chose outstanding leaders who have already made an impact on the city through their service, advocacy, and fight for justice and equality,” said operations manager Kyle Wallace.

All five of the announced hosts have a notable presence in Milwaukee. Each is Black, but brings a different perspective.

Joe Brown and Melanie Ricks, both best known for their in-game host work with the Milwaukee Bucks, will co-host a three-hour morning show from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Hughes, a politically-engaged host, will take the mic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. His long-time program, The Forum, has aired on multiple stations and most recently has been livestreamed on Facebook.

Lowe, who was involved in Black Lives Matters protests and recently completed an over 700-mile march to Washington D.C. with a couple dozen other activists, will host an afternoon show from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Ken Harris, a retired Milwaukee Police Department lieutenant and current assistant dean at Concordia University, will be on an air from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Harris, who earned a Ph.D from Marian University in leadership studies, serves as the program chair for Concordia’s justice and public policy programs.

Cherie Harris, who serves as the station’s general manager, is also Black. “The search for our on-air talent was not easy and every one of our hosts has a different perspective of Milwaukee,” she said. “The city is home to many creative and talented voices who have a unique story to share.”

The station goes live, both over the air and online, at 7 a.m. on Monday, January 4th.