KDWA
KDWA (1460 AM/97.7 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a hyperlocal News/Talk format, licensed to Hastings, Minnesota. The station is currently owned by K & M Broadcasting, Inc. and features national news programming from the USA Radio Network at the top of each hour. Locally, KDWA is especially known for its coverage of local news and high school sports for both Hastings and Prescott.
 | |
| City | Hastings, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1460 kHz |
| Branding | KDWA AM 1460/FM 97.7 |
| Slogan | Tri County Radio |
| Programming | |
| Format | Talk/Personality |
| Affiliations | USA Radio Network |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | K & M Broadcasting, Inc. |
| KQPR | |
| History | |
First air date | October 24, 1963 |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 32986 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 1,000 watts day 41 watts night |
Transmitter coordinates | 44°44′14″N 92°49′42″W |
| Translator(s) | 97.7 W249DK (Hastings) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | kdwa.com |
History
KDWA began broadcasting on October 24th, 1963. It was founded by John McKane, a former editor for the Hastings Star Gazette. The station's first news director, Dave Baudoin, became the majority co-owner in 1968.[1]
In 1971, KDWA was allowed to broadcast at night, at a reduced wattage output. Previously, the station (like many AM stations at the time) would sign on at sunrise and sign off at sunset.
In 1991, Dan Massman bought the station for $150,000. The following year, he moved it to its current location on Highway 61 in downtown Hastings.
Long-time sports director Nick Tuckner was hired on in 2002.
While KDWA is primarily a talk station, a weekly Top 40/EDM show was DJ'd by Reggie Bauer beginning in 2011 and ending in 2015.[2] Bauer later went on to work as a manager for KDWA's sister station, Power 96 in Albert Lea, Minnesota.[3]
On March 25th, 2016, KDWA began simulcasting on an FM translator at 97.9 MHz.[4] However, on May 4th they moved down to 97.7 to avoid interference with a low-power station in Lakeville.[5]
References
- https://www.twincities.com/2013/10/28/hastings-independent-radio-station-kdwa-marks-50-years-on-air/
- https://www.facebook.com/NewGenRadioKDWA
- https://www.facebook.com/reginald.michael.bauer/posts/2563402107022666
- KDWA-AM 1460/97.7 FM [@KDWA1460] (March 25, 2016). "First Day of a New Era #KDWANowOnFM. Listen on 97.9!" (Tweet). Retrieved January 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- KDWA-AM 1460/97.7 FM [@KDWA1460] (May 4, 2016). "Make note, KDWA Listeners, that KDWA-FM has moved from 97.9 to 97.7FM effective at Noon, today! This will clear up afternoon interference" (Tweet). Retrieved January 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
External links
- KDWA in the FCC's AM station database
- KDWA on Radio-Locator
- KDWA in Nielsen Audio's AM station database