Radio station KDHX 88.1 FM ceased live broadcasts on Friday as its parent company, the Double Helix Corporation, faces a new lawsuit from a group of former DJs and volunteers. The lawsuit seeks to remove the station’s board of directors due to concerns over the station’s direction and management.
KDHX, a non-commercial and independent community radio station, has served the St. Louis community since 1987. It is funded by listener donations. Former DJs Stacy Bernard and Christopher Schwarz filed the lawsuit in St. Louis Circuit Court on Wednesday. On Friday, the station announced that financial struggles had led to the layoff of all volunteers and the discontinuation of live broadcasts starting at 7 p.m.
“Several factors have contributed to this decision, including long-standing financial pressures, industry-wide challenges for public media, and a decline in financial support. Unfortunately, recent disparagement campaigns and senseless lawsuits have severely impacted fundraising,” the station said in a release.
The lawsuit alleges that the KDHX Board of Directors acted illegally or improperly on several occasions, undermining staff, volunteers, and donors while consolidating control within the board. It cites examples such as the board changing bylaws and retaliating against members who opposed its actions.
Concerns over the station’s leadership have been ongoing for several years, intensifying in 2023 when KDHX fired at least 13 volunteer DJs, prompting nearly two dozen others to resign in solidarity. Previous reports have highlighted communication issues with management, underutilized resources, and a decline in public events that help raise donations.
The lawsuit aims to remove seven members of the KDHX Board of Directors, including President Gary Pierson, and challenges the legality of bylaw changes made in 2018 and 2021.
“KDHX has been such an important part of the musical and cultural scene in St. Louis. It is truly a gem of independent media,” said Bernard in a news release from the League of Volunteer Enthusiasts of KDHX. “The St. Louis community (myself included) has been grieving the loss of so much over this past year. This is my attempt to hold the Board of KDHX accountable for its many failures and terrible decisions that have harmed so many and brought the station to the brink of financial ruin.”
Once the station goes dark on Friday evening, it will stream previously recorded programming. A release from KDHX states that the board will continue to explore other potential ways to move forward.
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