St. Louis Radio: Non-Com KDHX-FM Close To Bankruptcy

Radio station KDHX 88.1 FM is on the brink of bankruptcy and has paused live broadcasts as the parent company of the station faces a new lawsuit.

The lawsuit came from a group of former DJs and volunteers who were pushing to remove the station’s board of directors after years of concerns with the station’s direction.

KDHX is a non-commercial and independent community radio station powered by donations from listeners, and it has served the St. Louis community since 1987. Two former DJs for the station, Stacy Bernard and Christopher Schwarz, formally filed the lawsuit Wednesday in St. Louis Circuit Court against the Double Helix Corporation.

Two days later it was announced that due to financial struggles, the station has laid off all volunteers.

“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,” a release stated.

The lawsuit alleged that the KDHX Board of Directors acted illegally or improperly on several occasions to undermine staff, volunteers, and donors, while consolidating control within the board. The lawsuit cited examples such as the board changing bylaws and retaliating against board members who opposed its actions.

Concerns over the station’s leadership have been ongoing for several years, mounting in 2023 when KDHX fired at least 13 volunteer DJs, and nearly two dozen others resigned in solidarity. Previous FOX 2 reports have also highlighted communication issues with management, underutilized resources, and a decline in public events that allow KDHX to raise donations.

The lawsuit aims to remove seven members of the KDHX Board of Directors, including President Gary Pierson, while also challenging the legality of bylaw changes made in 2018 and 2021.