I got the first word of a problem from “AirTalk” senior producer Linda Othenin-Girard shortly after 7 this morning.  Her text message alerted me to the likelihood that we wouldn’t be able to do a live show today.

Like every other weekday, I was geared up and excited to talk about our segments for the morning.  Our centerpiece was President Obama’s meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister, and what it means for ongoing debate about Iran’s nuclear program.

However, that would have to wait.  Our first priority was to come up with previously aired hours that we could rebroadcast this morning, given our technical inability to do a live show.

As best I understand it, our digital audio system completely crashed around 5 this morning.  We had no ability to pull audio from our storage system, severely limiting Steve Julian’s ability to gather local news stories for “Morning Edition.”  However, given Steve’s, and his producer’s, resourcefulness, they were able to transfer a limited number of stories to a portable hard drive from which they could be aired.

For “Madeleine Brand” and “AirTalk,” there was simply no way to do a live show.  We were without a functional phone system, and had only one working studio in the entire Mohn Broadcast Center. 

However, we’re now back and running full speed.  Our engineers, who’ve been working since early this morning, are still trouble-shooting to fully understand what caused the crash.  Thanks for your patience and understanding.

I’ll be off tomorrow morning to prepare for a special “AirTalk” Super Tuesday election wrap-up tomorrow night.  I’ll be on with a terrific lineup of guests immediately following NPR’s Super Tuesday coverage, at approximately 7 p.m.  David Lazarus will fill in for me tomorrow morning.

For once I guessed right!  I was getting ready for work this morning telling my wife, Kristen, about our afternoon staff meeting to announce who would be taking this important editorial leadership position for KPCC.  I hadn’t heard any rumors, and hadn’t received any inside word.

I told Kristen about my lack of info on the hire, but told her Russ Stanton was my guess.  I’m happy to know I was correct and look forward to working with him.

Sunday morning, over 200 members of KPCC’s Leadership Circle gathered for our annual brunch at the Museum of Latin-American Art in Long Beach.  It’s an event I look forward to, as it gives those of us on the air a chance to talk about the process of doing our shows with  some of our most loyal and generous listeners.

Every year, I’m particularly struck by how knowledgeable these listeners are about the evolution of KPCC over the past few years.  They remember things I’d forgotten, such as how I used to talk about running down the hall to share an idea with the “AirTalk” production team, as we didn’t even work in the same area. A lot has changed since we moved into our new building less than two years ago.

Madeleine Brand and NPR Political Editor Ken Rudin were terrific – talking about the stunning performance by Newt Gingrich at last Saturday’s South Carolina primary, and looking ahead to next week’s Florida primary.  Ken and I picked up that theme on Monday’s “AirTalk.”

Our CEO Bill Davis talked about KPCC’s future plans for expansion in 12 distinct areas of reporting – traditionally called “beats,” but termed “verticals” in our shop (I have to ask someone why).

After the brunch, most of us toured the current exhibition in the museum.  It was a fun event on a beautiful Southern California day.

I share the details just to give all listeners who are interested a sense of what the Leadership Circle is about.  I know it’s a level of giving that puts it out of reach for many of our most devoted listeners.  However, the gifts from Circle members help all of us who are listeners.

Regardless of what you contribute to KPCC, your contribution extends beyond funding your listening alone.  You’re truly providing this service to others, as well.  It’s an act of generosity that we deeply appreciate.  Thank you very much.