65-years ago today, the one and only Paul Harvey broadcasted from the WKOZ studio in downtown Kosciusko.
Audio: Paul Harvey’s broadcast from July 28, 1961 at WKOZ in Kosciusko
Why Was Paul Harvey in Kosciusko?
Harvey’s visit was the centerpiece of an officially designated “Paul Harvey Day,” organized and hosted by the Kosciusko Jaycees.
The local civic group brought the famed commentator to town for a special full-day event, culminating in a live, in-person speech that Friday evening. Tickets to hear Harvey speak were sold throughout town for just $3.00.
During his midday broadcast from WKOZ, Harvey dedicated a portion of his commentary to highlighting Mississippi and Kosciusko to his national audience.
The broadcast made such an impression locally that Merchants and Farmers Bank secured special permission from Harvey to reprint the full text of his message as a public service advertisement, ensuring residents could read and keep his words about their hometown.
The dude
July 28, 2025 at 9:30 AMI am of an age when I can still remember Paul Harvey on the radio. At a time when shock jocks were trying to phase out his brand of commentary, I still made it a point to listen intently to what he had to say, and as a byproduct, learn something new in the process. I listen to this broadcast every year, and unregretably, have forgotten most of it year to year, so some of it seems new to me. I wish we had someone like this now, giving out information in 5 or 6 minutes bursts, with the certain cadence that Mr Harvey had. Although he would probably be forced out by a podcast, or highly financed morning show. Rest in peace Mr Harvey and know that you were listened to and admired by so many peopleand to quote you, if I may……Good Day.
Jo
July 28, 2025 at 9:51 AMThank you for the article and including recording. A lot of us grew up listening to Paul Harvey on radio. He was one of a kind!
Jim Gilbert
July 28, 2026 at 4:36 PMPaul Harvey was one of a kind. His lunch time commentary was always spot on and timely. I can’t remember just when I first heard him on the radio but listened to him until the end of his career. In 1961 my family was living in Canton; I was 10. He must have had a liking for Mississippi because the spoke in other places here. About 1964 he came to Canton and spoke in the High School auditorium. His chair proceeded him by a couple of days. I didn’t see him. In many ways he reminds me of one of my high school friends. Paul Harvey always left you feeling better about your community, country and self. That kind of man is sorely missing in the world of 2026. By the way a 1961 dollar was worth about $11.17. The thirty thousand dollars Kosciusko spent on Industrial Development would be $335,000 in today’s money. We would see Pete Murphy sometimes on the Natchez Trace…my mom would never offer him a ride. She said he’d talk your ear off! Thank you Mr. Harvey; I wonder what you would think of 2026 America?