MINNESOTA:
WEBC/560 (Duluth) began broadcasting Joe Soucheray's show from KSTP/1500 (St. Paul) yesterday (8/30). Look for WEBC to rebroadcast much more of KSTP's programming, as WEBC has become the first station to sign up for KSTP's syndication services. It looks like Dr. Laura will be leaving WEBC, but her faithful Twin Ports listeners will still be able to hear her on WNMT/650 (Nashwauk-Hibbing). (8/31/99)
IOWA:
WB20 (KWKB Iowa City) is on the air. They were on all weekend, but "officially" launch today (8/30). (8/30/99)
IOWA:
CBS affiliate KMEG/14 (Sioux City) is apparently starting a local newscast, since they've hired Paula Downey as a weekend Anchor/Reporter. (8/30/99)
MINNESOTA:
KSTP-TV/5 is granted an antenna height increase to 451m. (8/30/99)
MINNESOTA:
Northland Broadcasting launched "The New Point 107.7" at 1 p.m. Sunday (8/29) on KUSZ Proctor-Duluth. It's an Adult Contemporary format positioned as "Music for the New Millenium." The switchover followed a few days of stunting as "Crazy Mix 107" and a half-hour countdown. "I Only Wanna Be With You" by Hootie and the Blowfish was the first song. (8/29/99)
NORTH DAKOTA:
The Fargo Forum reports that KOCL/96.7 (Arthur-West Fargo) will start a new Talk format on Monday morning (8/30). And All Access reports that KOCL began stunting with a baby laughing on Friday morning at 10. (8/28/99)
MINNESOTA:
The nine stations that broadcast from KMSP's tower to it on Thursday but experienced an antenna failure Friday morning. Some transmission line burned out in the upper half of the panel antenna. The combiner was patched into the lower half of the antenna and the stations returned to the site at 50% power. It will take a few days to get parts and schedule repairs. In addition, continuing work on the DTV project will force stations to use the IDS site off and on over the next several weeks. KMSP appears to be back up to near normal power at this time. (8/28/99)
MINNESOTA:
KSTP-TV/5 will begin weekend morning news programs this weekend. "Eyewitness News Saturday Morning" will run from 10-11, and "Eyewitness News Sunday Morning" will run from 9-10. Kris Patrow will anchor the newscasts and will be joined by Janie Peterson in October. Until then, Jo Bender will co-anchor. Meanwhile, KMSP's weekday morning news is set to start next Monday (8/30). "9 News Daybreak" will air at 5:30, followed by "Good Day Minnesota" from 6 to 9 a.m. The shows will feature live coverage from KMSP's new chopper, "Air 9," and traffic and weather every 9 minutes. (8/27/99)
IOWA:
The quickly-expanding Waitt Broadcasting is buying another set of stations: KLGA/1600 and KLGA-FM/92.7 (Algona). Waitt owns four radio stations and one TV station in northwestern Iowa, and is also buying three central Iowa radio stations, as was reported previously. (8/27/99)
WISCONSIN:
Marathon Media is buying "Hodag Country" (WHDG/97.5 Rhinelander) and WLKD/1570-WMQA/95.9 (Minocqua) from Raven Broadcasting. (8/27/99)
MICHIGAN:
Mid-Pen Broadcasting is selling WFXD/103.3 (Marquette) and WQXO/1400-WHCH/98.3 (Munising) to Lakes Radio, Inc. (8/27/99)
MINNESOTA:
KBFH/107.1 (Moose Lake) is off the air already. The 100W station signed on a few weeks ago, relaying WKLK-FM/96.5 (Cloquet), but it interfered with local security radios, so they turned it off. (8/26/99)
MINNESOTA:
Former KZLT/104.3 (East Grand Forks) Program and Music Director Moose Richards is now at KBUN/KBHP/KKZY (Bemidji), as KKZY evening jock and sports play-by-play man for KBUN's Bemidji High School sports schedule. (8/26/99)
WISCONSIN:
The new weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter at WDJT/58 (Milwaukee) is Matt Engel. (8/25/99)
IOWA:
After its application to downgrade was approved by the FCC, KWKB/20 (Iowa City), is asking to get its originally licensed power back. It seems they'd already begun constructing facilities for 5000kW at 444m, even though they applied for and received a downgrade for 216kW at 225m. KWKB is supposed to be on the air any day now with programming from The WB. (8/25/99)
IOWA:
Pensacola Christian College has given up its attempts for a translator in the Des Moines area. They had originally applied for a 10W translator on 91.9, but then amended the application to 250W at 90.9, licensed to Adel. The FCC granted the translator, denying the petition to deny from KUNI/90.9 (Cedar Falls). Now, the Pensacola Christian College has asked the FCC to cancel the license. (8/25/99)
MINNESOTA:
What're these rumors saying that Northland Broadcasting's new acquisition, KUSZ/107.7 (Proctor), will become "The Point" next week? And where have the Z-Rock announcers gone? (8/25/99)
MINNESOTA:
As part of the work at KMSP/9's tower to install new antennas and transmission line for Digital TV, most of the FM stations that normally transmit from the tower are using their backup sites on the IDS tower. These stations are KQRS, KXXR, KTCZ, KSJN, WLOL, KDWB, KEEY, and WXPT. KTIS-FM and WLTE also transmit from KMSP's tower and will be switching to their backups soon. (8/24/99)
MINNESOTA:
The application from KBGY/107.5 (Faribault) to drop the licensed facilities to 35kW at 103m has been dismissed at the owner's request. The FCC still lists James Ingstad as the owner of KBGY, but it's unclear if KBGY was actually included in Cumulus Media's purchase of Ingstad's other stations in the area last year. KBGY remains licensed for 45kW at 120m. The transmitter facility that was applied for would have been a little closer to the Twin Cities metro. (8/24/99)
MINNESOTA:
KSTP-TV/5 unveiled a new news set on Monday 8/23. (8/24/99)
MINNESOTA:
KTCI-DT/16 (St. Paul) is on the air in experimental mode. KTCI-DT is the first digital TV station to broadcast in Minnesota. Meanwhile, KMSP/9 has been at reduced power (30kW) from a lower antenna height (500 feet) while a new UHF antenna and transmission line for it's digital station (which will be on channel 26) is installed. Expect all of the other Twin Cities stations to be at reduced power at times over the next several months for similar work. Commercial DTV stations in the top 30 U.S. markets (that includes Minneapolis) must be on the air by November. (8/22/99)
MINNESOTA:
KMSP/9 will launch its new morning show on Monday, August 30. KMSP will begin using a new logo that day, as well, and "Minnesota" will be dropped from "Minnesota 9 News." (8/22/99)
WISCONSIN:
Oldies "Cool 92.9" (WECL Elk Mound-Eau Claire) has added Paul Harvey news and comment. (8/22/99)
DAKOTAS/MINNESOTA:
The FCC has approved the massive license swap between the Ingstads, Triad Broadcasting, and Otter Tail Power. The Ingstads sell Fargo market combo KQWB/KQWB-FM/KLTA/KPFX to Triad and pick up KFGO/KFGO-FM/KVOX/KVOX-FM/KFGX/KPHT from Otter Tail Power. Triad is also getting South Dakota stations KKLS/KKMK/KOUT/KFXS (Rapid City) and KBHB/KRCS (Sturgis). (8/21/99)
MINNESOTA:
Kandi Klamm has been named Assistant News Director at KDLH/3 (Duluth). (8/21/99)
WISCONSIN:
The Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls will be getting a new translator for it's Calvary Satellite Network in Manitowac. W215BF/90.9 will officially relay KAWZ (Twin Falls, ID). (8/17/99)
IOWA:
KIIC/97.9 (Lamoni) is on the air with Classic Country as "I-98". The 50kW station has a studio in Osceola, co-located with KJJC/107.1 (Osceola-Des Moines). Both are owned by Lifestyle Communications. (8/15/99)
MINNESOTA:
KBFH/107.1 (Moose Lake) is on the air at it's crippled power of 100W, since the locals wouldn't let Alan Quarnstrom put up a tower for the new station. KBFH is relaying the Oldies format of WKLK-FM/96.5 (Cloquet), which is also owned by Quarnstrom. The only KBFH mention is at the top of the hour. (8/14/99)
NEBRASKA:
The Nebraska Radio Page reports that AMFM's KTNP/93.3 (Bennington-Omaha) dropped Modern AC for Hard Rock at 4 p.m. on Thursday (8/12). It's called "K-ROCK," which is what the facility was called before "The Point." (8/14/99)
MINNESOTA:
Carol Scheer is the new Executive Producer at KSTP-TV news, overseeing the 5, 6, 6:30, and 10 p.m. newscasts. (8/14/99)
IOWA:
Powell Broadcasting is buying KLEM/1410 and KKMA/99.5 (Le Mars). KLEM serves Le Mars, while KKMA targets Sioux City. Powell currently owns KSCJ/1360 and KSUX/105.7 in the Sioux City market. (8/13/99)
IOWA:
Not-yet-on-the-air KWKB/20 (Iowa City) is applying to drop to 216kW at 225m. The station, owned by KM Communications, is currently licensed for 5000kW at 441m. It's expected to be the WB affiliate for the Cedar Rapids-Waterloo market. (8/13/99)
MINNESOTA:
Without any direct competition, 93X seems to have softened up a bit. This month's 93X sounds a lot like last month's Rock 100.3. (8/13/99)
MINNESOTA:
Here's the FCC report on the sale of WWAX/KZIO to Red River Broadcasting (see below). The condition mentioned is that Red River follows the regulations for television broadcasting. (8/13/99)
MINNESOTA:
The FCC has approved Red River Broadcasting's purchase of Duluth market stations WWAX/92.1 (Hermantown) and KZIO/104.3 (Two Harbors). The approval required a temporary waiver of the one-to-a-market rule, since Red River already owns KQDS AM-FM-TV. The approval was "subject to conditions." More to come. (8/11/99)
MINNESOTA:
BDI Broadcasting is the company that ended up getting the license for the new Class C station on 93.3 in Nisswa. There were five other applicants. The new station will be 100kW at 300m. If I remember correctly, BDI is the same company as Omni Broadcasting, which owns area stations KTCF/101.5 (Crosby) and WJJY/106.7 (Brainerd), as well as three stations in Bemidji and one in Alexandria. (8/10/99)
WISCONSIN:
WHTD/93.7 (Three Lakes) has changed or will change to WLSL. No word if a format change will go along with that.
(8/10/99)
WISCONSIN:
The Construction Permit for WBEP/105.7 (Siren) has become WXCX. You'll notice a new studio being built if you visit sister station WWLC's office in Milltown to view the Public File. (8/10/99)
MINNESOTA:
American Family Association's new station on 88.1 in Worthington has been assigned the call letters KBOJ. (8/10/99)
MINNESOTA:
KUSZ/107.7 (Proctor-Duluth) will be moving into Northland Broadcasting's building anytime now, if that hasn't already happened. No significant on-air changes have been made and it's unknown if there will be any under the new ownership in this market with a formatic hole bigger than Lake Superior. (8/9/99)
MINNESOTA:
KVBM/45 (Minneapolis) will drop the Home Shopping Network on September 1. (8/9/99)
IOWA:
Waitt Broadcasting is buying KQWC/1570 and KQWC-FM/95.7 (Webster City), as well as KWBG/1590 (Boone). Waitt owns several stations in northwestern Iowa and KMEG/14 (Sioux City). (8/7/99)
WISCONSIN:
Hometown Broadcasting is buying WISS/1090 (Berlin), but isn't buying sister station WBJZ/104.7, which recently moved from 102.3. Caxambas Corporation will apparently retain WBJZ. (8/7/99)
MINNESOTA:
The FCC has approved the license to cover for KAOD/106.7 (Babbitt), which is pretty much the formality of giving a station a license once it goes on the air. However, KAOD had asked for a waiver of the main studio rule, and the FCC denied the request. That means owner Red River Broadcasting will have to build a studio somewhere within 25 miles of Babbitt. KAOD's programming currently comes from WWAX/92.1 (Hermantown). (8/7/99)
MINNESOTA:
KARE 11 (Minneapolis) has been granted a Construction Permit to increase its antenna from 439 to 455 meters above average terrain. (8/7/99)
MINNESOTA:
At 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 5, 1999, WRQC/100.3 Minneapolis became "Classic Hits 100, the new WLOL." The debut followed a five minute countdown, then the following: "Eight years ago, we told you it was over. It wasn't over, it was just an eight year technical difficulty." There was then a lengthy, well-produced introduction of the format. The first song was "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John. Greg Thunder, of the old WLOL/99.5, was the first DJ, but he works elsewhere now and will only temporarily "host" afternoons (recorded), just like they'll do with other DJ's from other cities until a new staff is assembled. The new format surprised many who expected it to be the format AMFM has been debuting all over the place, "Jammin' Oldies."
The "Rock 100.3" format was blown up at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3. The station abruptly cut out of the Howard Stern show, went into a break, and came out of it saying "in less than three days, an old friend is coming home." 100.3 then simulcast with KFAN/1130 all day Tuesday. On the morning of Wednesday, August 4, 100.3 rebroadcast the Smooth Jazz format of KKSF/103.7 (San Francisco). Then on Wednesday afternoon, it was Jammin' Oldies from "Jammin' 105" (WTJM New York City). Finally, early Thursday morning, 100.3 switched to a simulcast of Jammin' Oldies from "103-5 The Beat" (WUBT Chicago). All are AMFM stations. (8/5/99)
MINNESOTA:
What's this rumor at All Access that Jammin' Oldies are coming to the Twin Cities on a station called WLOL? MPR's WLOL/1470 (Brooklyn Park) will soon change to KLBP (I'm told August 5 is the date). Who, if anyone, bought the WLOL calls? (8/1/99)
MICHIGAN:
WGLQ/97.1 (Escanaba) is still known as "Magic 97" under its recently adopted Contemporary Hits format, positioned as "Today's Hits." It's locally originated, but voice-tracked after 9 a.m. ID's include Marquette and one other rotating community in ID's. Thanks to John Reiger of DX mid-AMerica for sending this information. He notes one cute sweeper: "We have a big stick and we'll use it! Magic 97 WGLQ!" Was WGLQ's recent reversion to CHR a pre-emptive strike against WMXG/106.3 (Stephenson-Escanaba), a new station which is supposed to begin a CHR format as "Mix 106-3" any day now? (8/1/99)
LPFM:
Here's Bruce Elving's comments on the low power FM proceeding. (8/2/99)
MINNESOTA:
WNCB/89.3 (Duluth) is currently running at around 15% power after a final tube cavity failure in it's main transmitter Friday night. They are currently running on a back-up transmitter. The station expects to be back to full power after parts arrive and are installed later in the week. (8/2/99)
NEBRASKA/MINNESOTA:
Dennis Grant, the Assistant News Director at KPTM/42 (Omaha), is moving to KXLT/47 (Rochester) to be KXLT's News Director. So, Rochester's FOX affiliate will begin local news before Minneapolis' FOX affiliate? (8/2/99)
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