YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio — In a major win for public media and historic preservation, the Union Schoolhouse in Yellow Springs officially reopened its doors Thursday as the new permanent home of WYSO Public Radio. The transformation was made possible by a massive $15 million investment from local resident and world-renowned comedian Dave Chappelle.
The grand opening ceremony, held on April 9, 2026, marked the end of years of financial uncertainty for the NPR affiliate, which has served 14 counties across southwest Ohio since the 1950s.
A Historic Lifeline
Originally broadcasting from the campus of Antioch College, WYSO faced a precarious future as financial hurdles and aging infrastructure threatened its operation. The solution came when Chappelle stepped in to purchase and renovate the Union Schoolhouse, a local landmark that has served various roles over the decades, including a school, police station, and village administrative office.
While Chappelle provided the $15 million foundation for the renovation, the community rallied to raise an additional $3 million to outfit the station with state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment.
“WYSO Day” in Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs Mayor Steve McQueen, an alumnus of Antioch College, joined Chappelle and Miami Valley leaders for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Mayor issued a formal proclamation declaring April 9, 2026, as “WYSO Day” in the village.
“WYSO no longer has to worry about the space that they are occupying,” Mayor McQueen said during the ceremony. “They have more of a resource to be able to broadcast wider and be able to have that many more community members become community producers and tell our story from our perspective.”
Keeping the Community Honest
For Chappelle, the investment was about more than just a building—it was about protecting the people who provide local information. With federal funding for public media becoming increasingly volatile, the comedian emphasized the value of having a local, accessible press.
“A lot of the people that work in the station live in our community, and it feels good to see radio personalities just around and have access to people who inform you,” Chappelle told the crowd. “And I think it keeps us all honest.”
The station now operates 24 hours a day from its new headquarters, ensuring that the voice of the Miami Valley remains loud and clear for generations to come.
