IOWA:
Cumulus has made more changes in the Quad Cities, moving BOB Country from 99.7 (KBOB Muscatine) to KQLI/104.9 (De Witt), replacing the "Lite 104.9" AC format that ran there. 99.7 has become B100, playing Contemporary Hits with the positioner "Today's Best Music." The BOB move occured on Thursday morning (3/30) at 10:04 a.m., and B100 was unveiled at 1 p.m. Thursday. You'll recall that Cumulus flipped the format on KORB/93.5 last week from Contemporary Hits to Rock. Here's the scorecard: CHR moves from 93.5 to 99.7, Country moves from 99.7 to 104.9, Lite AC is out, Rock is in at 93.5, and Rock is still heard on Cumulus' WXLP/96.9. (3/31/2K)
NORTH DAKOTA:
Y93 (KYYY/92.9 Bismarck) welcomes Dolly Dakota to nights, effective Wednesday (3/29). She replaces ABC's syndicated format. (3/30/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KQRB has been assigned to the construction permit for 89.9 Windom, and WEXR has been assigned to 90.1 Worthington. (3/29/2K)
WISCONSIN:
WMVS-DT/8 is on the air. It's the first digital station in Milwaukee. (3/29/2K)
IOWA:
KTPR/91.1 (Fort Dodge) is simulcasting at times with WOI/640 or WOI-FM/90.1 (Ames), with some original KTPR programming remaining. The change took place in mid-February. The FCC recently approved KTPR's change in ownership from the Iowa Central Community College to Iowa State University, the owner of WOI AM-FM. (3/29/2K)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
North Central Christian Broadcasting has been granted a translator for its WNCB in Milbank, SD: K213DI/90.5. (3/29/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Public Radio has applied for a translator on 91.9 in Minneapolis. If anyone can tell me why MPR needs a translator in Minneapolis, I'd like to hear it. They already have two 100kW FM stations transmitting from Shoreview. (3/29/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Three Eagles Broadcasting is buying out Nolan Broadcasting for $10 million. Nolan owns KAUS/1480 and KAUS-FM/99.9 (Austin), and KEEZ/99.1 (Mankato). Three Eagles owns several dozen stations in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska including stations in Albert Lea and Mason City. Nolan has owned KAUS since 1979 and KEEZ since 1992. (3/28/2K)
NORTH DAKOTA:
KVLY-TV/11 (Fargo), KFYR-TV/5 (Bismarck), KMOT/10 (Minot), KQCD/7 (Dickinson), and KUMV/8 (Williston) are changing hands from Sunrise Television to Smith Broadcasting. Also included are translators in Jamestown, Lisbon, and Wahpeton. The change is actually a reorganization of Sunrise Television. (3/28/2K)
MINNESOTA:
WWTC/1280 and KYCR/1570 are both on the air at low power after the fire at their shared transmitter site last week. WWTC's current power is 400W (normally 5kW). (3/27/2K)
IOWA:
To add to the confusion, the FCC says it will investigate market concentration issues when considering Cumulus Media's purchase of Cedar Rapids market stations KRNA, KHAK, and KDAT. Clear Channel must unload the stations as part of its purchase of AMFM/Capstar, which is actually the current licensee. Cumulus does not own any stations in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City market area, but does own stations in Waterloo and Davenport, some of whose coverage areas would overlap with the Cedar Rapids stations. (3/27/2K)
IOWA:
KORB/93.5 (Bettendorf) has switched from Contemporary Hits as "Planet 93-5" to "93 Rock," positioned as "The Quad City Rocker." The change followed about a day of stunting. The new format is mysteriously close to sister station 97X (WXLP), "The Rock Station." The change follows the sale of KORB, WXLP, KQLI, KBOB, and KJOC to Cumulus Media. A live feed of KORB is available at broadcastmusic.com. (3/24/2K)
NEBRASKA:
A construcion permit has been issued for KLKE-DT/23 (Albion). (3/23/2K)
MINNESOTA:
WWTC/1280 is at low power, and KYCR/1570 is off the air following a fire at the WWTC/KYCR transmitter site in St. Louis Park that officials say may be arson. Details are available from the Star Tribune. (3/23/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Former KARE11 anchor Joan Steffend will return to KARE as a weekend anchor at the beginning of April. (3/23/2K)
MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN:
Kristi Guerink-Stokes has left her position as News Director for Shockley's Duluth stations (duties at KDAL/610, WDSM/710, and KDAL-FM/95.7). She's taken a job with the Greater Duluth Council. Last week was her last at Shockley. (3/23/2K)
NORTH DAKOTA/MINNESOTA:
Q98 (KQWB-FM Moorhead-Fargo) is searching for a morning team to replace the syndicated Bob and Tom show. (3/22/2K)
MINNESOTA:
The FCC has approved Blue Chip Broadcasting's purchase of KARP/96.3 (Glencoe-Minneapolis). (3/22/2K)
NEBRASKA:
A construction permit has been issued for KHAS-DT/21 (Hastings). (3/22/2K)
NATIONWIDE:
The future of UPN is in limbo as Chris-Craft has decided to sell its half of the network to Viacom, which owns the other half and is being purchased by the CBS Group. The trouble is, current FCC regulations won't permit CBS to own UPN. Viacom excercised a clause in its contract with Chris-Craft that forced Chris-Craft to decide whether to buy Viacom's half of the network or sell its half to Viacom for the paltry sum of $5 million. Chris Craft looked for potential new partners for UPN; finding none, they sold their half to Viacom. Chris Craft owns a number of UPN affiliates, including KMSP/9 (Minneapolis). (3/21/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Noelle Walker is moving from KEYT in Santa Barbara, California, to join WCCO-TV/4 as a reporter. (3/21/2K)
WISCONSIN:
Teri Barr is leaving WLUK/FOX11 (Green Bay) for a job at WLWT Cincinnati. (3/21/2K)
SOUTH DAKOTA/MINNESOTA:
Jimmy Swaggart's Family Worship Center Church of Baton Rouge, LA, has been granted a translator station on 90.1 in Watertown (K211EC). The translator will rebroadcast WJFM, the flagship of the Sonlife network. Meanwhile, the Family Worship Center Church, which has already applied for dozens of translators in the Upper Midwest, has now applied for translators on 89.9 in Pipestone, 89.5 in Little Falls, and 91.1 in International Falls. (3/21/2K)
MINNESOTA:
The new "Mix 94-9" format on KMXK (Cold Spring-St. Cloud) got underway last Friday and ran commercial/personality free throughout the weekend. The format is locally automated Hot Adult Contemporary, with the positioner "The Best Mix of the `80s, `90s, and Today." The station's main target appears to be KCLD/104.7. (3/20/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls, Idaho has applied to sandwich a translator on 88.5 in St. Cloud, between KVSC/88.1 and KNSR/88.9. (3/20/2K)
WISCONSIN:
The Student Radio Initiative at UW-Eau Claire plans to apply for a low-power radio station once the FCC begins issuing licenses. The organization currently operates "WSRI," which is only available on campus via Winamp and FM cable on 105.1. If you're wondering, yes, there is already a radio station at UWEC, WUEC/89.7. But the station was affiliated with WPR in 1989, and in recent years, all local programming except jazz, blues, and folk has been eliminated. (3/20/2K)
NEBRASKA:
A construction permit has been issued for KSTF-DT/29 (Scottsbluff). (3/18/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KMXK/94.9 (Cold Spring-St. Cloud) did indeed dump its "Oldies 94.9" format at Noon today (3/17). They're going to be stunting all weekend, with the new format unveiled on Monday. For the record, the last Oldie played was "American Pie," with the first song of "Mix 94-9" being "A Change Would Do You Good." (3/17/2K)
MINNESOTA:
HDTV construction has resumed at the KMSP tower in Shoreview. The nine FM and five TV stations that use the tower will, at times, be operating from their backup sites and/or with reduced power. (3/17/2K)
MINNESOTA:
After 12 years on the KDWB morning show, Lee Valsvik is leaving KDWB to do mornings at co-owned WLOL. She'll co-host the show with an unnamed partner, who is rumored to be Chris Hunter. At KDWB, Angie Taylor is taking over the news duties that Valsvik had. (3/17/2K)
WISCONSIN:
There's a rumor floating around that Eau Claire's Central Radio Group (WAYY/WEAQ/WECL/WIAL/WAXX) is attempting to purchase WEIO/1050 and WISM/98.1 from Alpenglow Communications. (3/17/2K)
WISCONSIN:
The CHR and AC stations in Eau Claire are flipping again. I94, formerly adult-leaning CHR, is now pure CHR, while Z100, formerly pure CHR, is now adult-leaning CHR. The two stations have been trading the adult audience back and forth for years. (3/16/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KKLN/94.1 (Atwater-Willmar) is changing hands from KYRS, Inc. to Flagship Broadcasting. (3/16/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Faith Pleases God Church Corp. has applied for a translator station on 90.1 in St. Paul. It's unclear what station would be rebroadcast. The proposed translator would be sandwiched between Minneapolis stations on 89.9 and 90.3. (3/16/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Construction permits have been issued for KVBM-DT/44 (Minneapolis) and KEYC-DT/38 (Mankato). (3/16/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KMXK/94.9 (Cold Spring-St. Cloud) is reportedly planning to dump its "Oldies 94.9" format at Noon on Friday in favor of Hot Adult Contemporary. The format would come from Westwood One, and the station would use "Mix" in its name. The change follows a disappointing fall book for KMXK. (3/15/2K)
WISCONSIN:
Paxson Communications is purchasing the construction permit for WTPX/46 (Antigo-Wausau) from Cardinal Broadcasting. (3/14/2K)
IOWA:
WQAD/8 (Moline-Davenport) welcomes Dave Vieser, the new Executive News Producer. (3/14/2K)
MINNESOTA:
The transmitter for KDUL-LP/12 (Duluth) arrived last Friday (3/10), but they're still waiting for the antenna to arrive. The station's staff includes John Donahue, Station Manager, Charlotte Klesman, Production Manager, and Norris Klesman, Assistant Production Manager. They're starting to move into the station's office in the Fitger's building. KDUL, owned by Duluth Broadcasting Partners, will be an affiliate of UPN and AmericaOne and will carry some community acces-type programming. KDUL will be a 502-Watt station, and should cover the Duluth-Superior area with a strong signal. It'll also be on cable. Look for a sign-on around tax day. (3/13/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KXAC/100.5 (St. James) has withdrawn its request to change its community of license to Fairmont, so the FCC dismissed the request. (3/11/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Abundant Life Broadcasting has been granted a construction permit for a new station on 89.9 in Windom. The station will be 250W at 52m. (3/10/2K)
MINNESOTA:
The Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls, Idaho, has been granted a construction permit for a translator on 89.7 in Grand Rapids (K209DS). It will rebroadcast KAWZ Twin Falls, ID, the flagship of the Calvary Satellite Network. (3/10/2K)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
The Family Worship Center Church has been granted construction permits for translator stations on 88.7 in Mitchell (K204DW) and 91.1 in Yankton (K216EY). The translators will rebroadcast WJFM Baton Rouge, LA, the flagship of Jimmy Swaggart's Sonlife network. (3/10/2K)
IOWA:
Clear Channel has announced more station divestitures required for it to merge with AMFM, Inc. Des Moines market stations KGGO/KHKI will be sold to Barnstable Broadcasting, which already has KBGG/KJJY/KRKQ in Des Moines. It's a strange situation, since KGGO competes with Barnstable's KRKQ, and KHKI competes with Barnstable's KJJY. Former KGGO/KHKI sister KDMI will remain with Clear Channel -- the three had been owned by AMFM. (3/9/2K)
NORTH DAKOTA/MINNESOTA:
KLTA/Lite Rock 105 (Breckenridge-Fargo) has become a little more upbeat in the face of competition from River 95.1. Ken Anderson made his debut as morning host Wednesday morning, and they're using a new station voice. (3/9/2K)
NEBRASKA:
Sandhills Broadcasting is purchasing KNLV/1060 and KNLV-FM/103.9 (Ord) from KNLV, Inc. (3/9/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Three Eagles Communications officially acquired KWOA/KITN/KWOA-FM (Worthington), KLGR/KLGR-FM (Redwood Falls), and KBGP (Belview) on March 1. Neil Roberts has been appointed General Manager of the Worthington stations. He's moving over from Three Eagle's KQAD/KLQL (Luvern), where he was Farm Director. (3/8/2K)
IOWA:
A construction permit has been issued for a new station on 89.1 in Postville to St. Paul Lutheran Church, which is in Postville. The station will be 100W at 66m. (3/8/2K)
WISCONSIN:
WWLC/104.9 (Balsam Lake) has been experiencing transmitter problems since this morning and is at about 15% power. (3/7/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Public Radio has applied for a new station on 88.3 in International Falls, in addition to their application for a station on 89.7 that was reported last week. (3/7/2K)
IOWA:
Clear Channel has announced some of the stations that are being divested as part of its merger with AMFM, Inc. The only sale announced so far in the Upper Midwest is Cedar Rapids stations KRNA/94.1, KHAK/98.1, and KDAT/104.5, which are going to Cumulus Media. Clear Channel will retain KTOF/1360, which rebroadcasts KWOF/850 (Waterloo). Cumulus is also getting stations from Clear Channel in Harrisburg, PA, Melbourne, FL, and Shreveport, LA. (3/7/2K)
NORTH DAKOTA:
KVRR/15 (Fargo) is apparently planning to begin a 9 p.m. newscast this July. They've been placing help wanted ads looking for photographers. (3/6/2K)
NORTH DAKOTA:
FOX affiliate K38FV (Dickinson) is on the air. It's operated in conjunction with KNDX Bismarck, but the station is identified locally. (3/6/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Liz Brummond is now the morning anchor at All News Channel, a national channel based in St. Paul. Brummond previously worked at WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee) and KDLH/3 (Duluth). (3/6/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Solid Rock Broadcasting has been granted a construction permit for a new 250W station on 90.1 in Worthington. (3/6/2K)
IOWA:
The FCC has approved KJJY/92.5's plan to change its community of license from Ankeny to West Des Moines. The plan was first presented to the FCC more than five years ago. (3/3/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KTIS-FM translator K299AL/107.7 (Albert Lea) is back on the air after being off the air for more than a year and a half. K299AL was knocked off the air by a tornado in June 1998. (3/3/2K)
WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA:
WIXK-FM/107.1 (New Richmond) has applied to change its community of license to Coon Rapids, a northern Twin Cities suburb, and change from class C3 to class C2 (for WIXK, that would be an increase from 18kW to 50kW). The change would have to involve an amendment to the FCC's table of allotments, and only after that change is approved would an actual application for the change be considered. In order to make this change, KROC-FM/106.9 (Rochester) will most likely have to be downgraded from a class C to C1, which would mean a small loss in coverage area for KROC. If approved, the new WIXK facility would have an excellent signal across the metro area. If you hadn't heard, Hubbard Broadcasting agreed to acquire WIXK AM-FM on the condition that WIXK-FM applies to move closer to the Twin Cities. (3/2/2K, updated 3/6)
WISCONSIN:
CSN International has been granted a new station on 90.3 in Marshall, a community of 2300 northeast of Madison. The station will be class A, using 3.9kW at 101m from west of Columbus, and should have a fair to poor signal into Madison. CSN is the Calvary Satellite Network, which originates at the Calvary Chapel's KAWZ in Twin Falls, Idaho. (3/2/2K)
NEBRASKA:
KTNP/93.3 (Bennington-Omaha) becomes KRQC to reflect it's "K-Rock" slogan. (3/2/2K)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
KRRO morning guy and Program Director John C. Price passed away from a massive heart attack early Tuesday morning at the age of 36. He took over the position about a year ago, and was responsible for tweaking KRRO's format from `80s metal to more Modern Rock. The station has been playing tribute songs and call-ins. (3/1/2K)
WISCONSIN:
WGBM/94.7 (Mishicot-Green Bay) will or has changed to WZOR to go along with the new slogan, "Razor 94.7." (3/1/2K)
IOWA:
The construction permit for channel 22 in Waterloo has been given the call letters KWWF. Meanwhile, some call changes for Tiger Eye Broadcasting's Cedar Rapids stations: K55HF becomes KCDR-LP, K57GQ becomes KHHH-LP, K65HB becomes KRUB-LP, and K67GY becomes KCDE-LP. (3/1/2K)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
KQDY/94.5 (Bismarck) will or has changed to KKLV under the Educational Media Foundation's ownership, reflecting the "K-Love" slogan. (3/1/2K)
IOWA:
KIFG AM-FM 1510/95.3 (Iowa Falls) has picked up Westwood One's Soft AC format. They're using CNN news on the hour. (3/1/2K)
| Upper Midwest Broadcasting: News/Main | IA | MN | NE | ND | SD | WI | MI |
