By Chris Riemenschneider

Radio K is deep in the throes of its fall pledge drive, which winds down tomorrow, and it seems like a better time than ever to help out the U of M student station. There's a lot of new life at The K ever since it went FM full-time on two Twin Cities area signals, 104.5 and 100.7. You can also still hear it at the old 770 AM signal during daytime, and at 106.5 FM at night, or online at www.radiok.org anytime. Some of the money for its fall drive is going toward improving the sound quality of the new signals, plus the usual upkeep. I can't imagine in these budget-crunching times -- especially at the state level -- that the station is getting any raises from the U of M.

Before the Current emerged, Radio K was the one and only place to consistently hear local music on the radio. Since the Current came around, it serves as a worthy compliment/competitor to the MPR hipster station and it sometimes too-narrow play list.

Tune in Friday at 4 p.m. to catch Mystery Palace on "Off the Record." They have tickets to Tegan & Sara's March 24 concert at the Orpheum and other giveaways for pledgers. Some of the staffers just returned from the CMJ Fest in New York, and they've been talking up some of their highlights. Also, yours truly will be on today spinning and chatting and giving a little away from noon to 1 p.m. You can call in to pledge at 612-626-ROCK (7625) or click here to donate online.