January 2005

NEBRASKA:
The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that KFOR/1240 will drop Adult Contemporary music from its format on Monday (1/31), expanding local talk programming during the day and continuing syndicated programming at night. (1/30/2005)

NEBRASKA/IOWA:
New owner Salem Communications has changes planned for KGBI/100.7 (Omaha). The station will go to fulltime Contemporary Christian music on Monday (1/31), becoming "The Fish," a slogan used by other Salem stations. Salem is also purchasing KCRO/660, which programs Christian teaching and talk. (1/28/2005)

ONTARIO:
There's another format change in Thunder Bay: the Contemporary Hits format of "Hot 105" has been dropped in favor of Classic Rock as "The Giant." The Chronicle-Journal reports that the change took place on Thursday (1/27). The CJLB callsign, which had been in use since 1980, has been changed to CKTG. Owner Newcap Broadcasting resumed operation of 105.3. It had previously been run by Dougall Media, which also owns "Rock 94." Recent changes in the market have left Thunder Bay without Country or CHR formats, while three of the market's four commercial FM stations play some Classic Rock or Classic Hits. (1/28/2005)

MINNESOTA:
Spanish-language "Que Buena" programming has expanded to continuous programming on KBGY/107.5 (Faribault). It's the first full-time spanish-language station on FM in Minnesota. "Que Buena" began as an overnight program on KLCI/106.1 (Elk River-Minneapolis), later adding a simulcast on KBGY, and later weekend programming. KBGY's signal is strong in the Owatonna and Faribault areas, and the station has also attracted listeners and advertisers in the Twin Cities, Rochester, Austin, and Mankato. (1/25/2005)

WISCONSIN:
Wisconsin Public Radio Ideas Network station WLBL/930 (Auburndale-Stevens Point) has gone 24 hours, using 70 Watts non-directional at night, in addition to the existing 5kW non-directional daytime power. (1/25/2005)

MICHIGAN:
WHCH/98.3 (Munising) has made the switch to Classic Rock as WRUP. Meanwhile, it appears WHCH's Oldies format (from Jones Radio Networks) will move to sister station WQXO/1400. (1/23/2005)

MINNESOTA:
The Trinity Broadcasting Network's Minneapolis low-power station has moved to channel 25 (K25IA), increasing power to 148kW. TBN had been located on channel 58 (K58BS) for about two decades.

In other Minneapolis LPTV news, WBWX-CA/13 is still carrying MTV2. The station is expected to switch to Univision following a sale to Equity Broadcasting. The FCC shows a callsign change to WUMN-CA, but the station is still using WBWX-CA in its legal ID. (1/23/2005)

MINNESOTA:
In case you missed it, WMFG/1240 (Hibbing) recently dropped Sports for Soft Oldies following the station's sale to Midwest Communications. Though the Soft Oldies format (still called "Nostalgia" or "Adult Standards" by other sources) is struggling in many markets, 60% of people on the Iron Range are age 60 or older. (1/23/2005)

SOUTH DAKOTA:
Some FM translator changes in Rapid City: K242BK/96.3 has signed on relaying KZZI/95.9 (Belle Fourche). Meanwhile, KILI/90.1 (Porcupine) translator DK202AU/88.3 has left the air. The FCC had deleted K202AU's license to make way for the new KLGH/88.3 (Rapid City), but the translator remained on the air until recently. (1/23/2005)

MINNESOTA:
"89.3 The Current" (KCMP Northfield-Twin Cities), Minnesota Public Radio's third service, will launch at 9 a.m. Monday (1/24). The new "anti-format," as MPR has described it, will probably best be classified as Adult Alternative with a focus on local music and live performances. The lineup includes MPR's long-running "Morning Show" with Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole from 5-9a, Thorn from 9a-2p, Mary Lucia from 2-7p, Mark Wheat from 7p-Mid, and Steve Seel from Mid-5a.

MPR Classical network stations outside of the Twin Cities will continue to carry the "Morning Show" from 6-9a, while KSJN/99.5 (Minneapolis) will air Classical music at that time. KMSE/88.7 (Rochester) will simulcast with KCMP, except from 6-9a, when KMSE will carry Classical music. (1/22/2005)

MINNESOTA:
KADU/90.1 (Hibbing) is being sold to Heartland Christian Broadcasters for $30,000. Current owner SGM Radio purchased 100-Watt KADU just last year and returned its Christian Rock to the air. Heartland owns KXBR/91.9 and KBHW/99.5 (International Falls), the latter of which is heard on some former KADU translators. (1/17/2005)

WISCONSIN:
The FCC has denied license renewal applications from Milwaukee Radio Alliance's WMCS/1290, WJZI/93.3, and WLUM/102.1, and from Hometown Broadcasting's WISS/1090 (New Berlin) and WAUH/102.3 (Wautoma). The reason for the dismissals is not available in online FCC documents. Situations like these are usually resolved and it's not likely that the stations will have to leave the air. (1/17/2005)

NEBRASKA/IOWA:
Months after entering the Omaha market, Salem Communications is buying a second station: KCRO/660. Salem will purchase the Christian station from Eternal Broadcasting, owned by Dean Sorenson and R.W. Chapin, for $3.1 million. Salem recently completed its purchase of KGBI/100.7 from Grace University. KCRO general manager Johnny Andrews will become Salem's Omaha market manager. (1/13/2005)

SOUTH DAKOTA:
KOTA/1380 (Rapid City) has added Ed Schultz from 6-9p. Dr. Laura moves into the 9-11p slot, replacing Jim Bohannan. (1/5/2005)

WISCONSIN:
Milwaukee sports fans got two new options on New Year's Day. WSSP/1250 made its long-awaited change to full-time Sports, with a lineup including FOX Sports and Jim Rome. Meanwhile, WMCS/1290 now carries ESPN Radio from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. through a local marketing agreement with Good Karma Broadcasting, which runs daytime-only ESPN affiliate WAUK/1510. WMCS contines to air Talk programming aimed at the African-American community during the day. (1/2/2005)