NORTHAMPTON — WHMP debuted its new afternoon radio lineup this week, returning “The Thom Hartmann Program” to its original noon to 3 p.m. slot and premiering the new show “Afternoon Buzz.”
WHMP general manager David Oldread said the changes, which also include more local programming in the morning, came in response to “an overwhelming amount of listener feedback.”
“You told us and we listened,” Oldread said in announcing that Hartmann, “the nation’s No. 1 progressive voice,” will kick off the afternoon programming Monday through Friday with his three-hour live show.
After Hartmann is the hourlong “The David Pakman Show.” Pakman, a progressive political commentator with a nationally syndicated radio program, was raised in Northampton and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
“Pakman has over a million subscribers on YouTube alone, and WHMP is proud to bring David Pakman’s unique perspective on politics back to our airwaves,” said WHMP program director Monte Belmonte.
At 4 p.m., Ashfield attorney Buz Eisenberg hosts “Afternoon Buzz,” a show focused on news, politics, arts and culture in the Pioneer Valley. Eisenberg’s personal story includes work as a human rights lawyer, a bat boy for the 1967 and 1968 Atlanta Braves that included baseball legend Hank Aaron, and a professor at Greenfield Community College.
Weekday mornings from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Denise Vozella and the WHMP news team present “The Valley This Morning,” featuring interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, farmers, artists, activists, editors and more.
“Live, local news and talk is critically important to our communities,” Oldread said. “WHMP is proud to expand our local coverage.”
WHMP is on the air at 101.5 FM or 1400 AM and 1240 AM, and streams online at WHMP.com.