Blacksburg is set to be featured in National Public Radio's presidential debate coverage in October.

Neal Conan, host of NPR's "Talk of the Nation" show, is scheduled to host one of four "National Listening Parties" in the town.

The Blacksburg event will be held following the Oct. 15 debate between Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama.

The one-hour call-in radio show is scheduled to air at 11 p.m. and will feature a live audience and a panel of NPR hosts, reporters and editors. Questions will be taken from audience members and listeners from across the country, NPR spokeswoman Anna Christopher said.

Blacksburg was chosen for the show because of Virginia's predicted role as a swing state in the November election and because local NPR affiliate WVTF "wanted to partner with us," Christopher said.

"Hopefully [Virginia Tech] students will be able to participate," she said.

A location for the event has not been announced, but Christopher said NPR is looking for a venue that seats up to 300 people.

Other listening parties are scheduled for Sept. 26 in Washington, D.C.; Oct. 2 in St. Louis, Mo.; and Oct. 7 in Columbus, Ohio.

To request a seat at the Blacksburg show, send an e-mail to debates@npr.org.

-- Tonia Moxley