A few local television and radio stations plan special coverage today on the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. Most stations are handling coverage through their national networks or syndicated hosts.

All the commercial stations face the challenge of commemorating the first anniversary without dwelling on it or taking advantage of it.

"We do want to observe it, but we don't want to focus on it too much," says Whitney Thomas, program director for Kiss 93.9.

"We are wanting to pay our respects. We're also trying to move on."

Thomas thinks the public wants to hear about the anniversary, but says, "I don't think they want to hear about it all day long."

The view is different at public radio station KRCU 90.9 FM, where most of the day will be dedicated to Sept. 11. "Morning Edition" begins at 5 this morning, a half hour earlier than usual. The program will focus on the terrorist attacks and the aftermath.

At noon, the station will present a special edition of "Going Public," its public affairs program, hosted by Dr. Tom Harte. The program will include essays solicited by the Southeast Missourian newspaper about how people have been affected by Sept. 11.

From 1 to 3 p.m., KRCU will carry a program of solemn music broadcast live from Germany. A compilation of readings and music titled "In the Shadow of the Towers" will be broadcast from 3 to 4 p.m. and again from 7 to 8 p.m.

From 4 to 6 p.m., "All Things Considered" will present pieces from the "Sonic Memorial Project," a collaboration of more than 50 radio producers in an audio history of the World Trade Center.

Normal programming will resume at 8 p.m.

KFVS-TV also has special plans today. Its local news show will be an hour shorter to make way for CBS's national coverage, titled "9/11: The Day That Changed America," to run from 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Program director Kathy Cowan said the national coverage includes the possibility of local news cutaways. The station's local news program from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. will be tilted toward Sept. 11 coverage, Cowan said.

CBS will resume "The Day That Changed America" from 5:30 to 7 p.m., followed by a "60 Minutes 2" interview with President George W. Bush at 7 p.m., and an encore presentation at 9 p.m. of the dramatic film made by two brothers who were inside the towers when the attacks occurred.

KBSI-TV will carry a two-hour special by the Fox Network tonight.

Most of the radio stations owned by Zimmer Broadcasting -- K103, Kiss 93.9 and Real Rock 99.3, all FM, and the AM station 960 KZIM -- will observe four moments of silence during the day. The times of 7:48 a.m., 8:03 a.m., 8:43 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. Central correspond to the times when planes crashed into the towers, into the Pentagon and into the ground in Pennsylvania, respectively.

On KZIM, Faune Riggin will present a locally produced tribute during the station's "News Watch" show from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

At KUGT AM 1170, a Christian station in Jackson, Mo., station manager Jane Sandvos said all of the station's syndicated program hosts will address the issues around Sept. 11 today.

Christian station KMHM-FM 104.1 in Marble Hill, Mo., has been broadcasting a special series of programs by Dr. James Dobson, since Thursday.

At press time, Withers Broadcasting was still finalizing its plans.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, ext. 182