KHSU

KHSU is a public radio station that operates under the call sign 90.5 FM and is affiliated with Cal Poly Humboldt, formerly known as Humboldt State University. The station broadcasts a mix of national programming from NPR and Pacifica, alongside locally produced shows that include news, music, talk, and educational content. Its primary mission is to serve the Humboldt County area and the broader North Coast region of California with informative and cultural programming. KHSU also provides a live internet stream that allows listeners worldwide to access its broadcasts.

The station’s signal reaches listeners across Humboldt County and extends into parts of Del Norte, Trinity, and Mendocino counties, covering a largely rural and mountainous landscape. In addition to its over‑the‑air transmission, KHSU maintains an online presence that includes on‑demand archives and podcasts of its local shows. The station relies on a combination of professional staff, student workers from the university’s journalism and communications programs, and community volunteers to produce its content. This blend of student training and community involvement gives KHSU a distinctive role as both an educational laboratory and a public service outlet.

KHSU’s affiliations with NPR and Pacifica position it as a trusted source of national news while its locally generated segments focus on regional issues such as environmental policy, tribal affairs, and campus events. The station also participates in emergency alert systems, disseminating critical information during wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters that affect the North Coast. In July 2019, KHSU experienced a ransomware attack that encrypted its programming systems and storage servers, leading to several hours of silent broadcast; the incident was traced to an unclear origin, no ransom demand was communicated, and no sensitive data were reported as compromised. This event highlighted the station’s reliance on digital infrastructure and prompted a review of its cybersecurity practices.

Ownership of KHSU rests with Cal Poly Humboldt, a member of the California State University system, which holds the station’s Federal Communications Commission license for non‑commercial educational broadcasting. The university’s administration oversees the station’s budget and strategic direction, while operational decisions are often made in consultation with a community advisory board. As a public‑service entity, KHSU does not carry commercial advertising and is funded through a combination of university support, listener contributions, and grant awards. This structure ensures that the station remains aligned with the educational mission of its host institution while serving the informational needs of the surrounding community.