North Dakota's Broadcasters

KVLY Raises $50,000 For Kids Experiencing Homelessness

Date Posted: 6/28/2020

Gray Television’s KVLY-TV Fargo, N.D., was nominated for a 2020 Service to Community Award in the Television – Small Market category. In 2019, it was reported that more than 560 children are homeless on any given night in the Fargo community. To support and promote the mission of local nonprofit Golden Drive Homeless Kids, KVLY brought attention to this concern by educating viewers, encouraging donations and volunteers and inspiring the community to provide ideas for stable housing. All donations received went directly to local youth centers and food shelves to help combat childhood homelessness in the area. Every year, the community comes together to volunteer, solicit donations and contribute resources to help the children of Fargo feel safe and have a place to call home.

KFGO-FM Hosts Food Bank

Date Posted: 5/13/2020

Midwest Communications’ KFGO-FM Fargo, N.D., hosted a food bank on May 7. All goods collected support efforts by the United Churches for the Homeless to help the local community.

Fargo’s KOYY-FM Wants to Pay Your Bills

Date Posted: 5/5/2020

Midwest Communication’s KOYY-FM Fargo has set aside $10,000 of their promotional budget to pay bills for their listeners. As many people face financial difficulty during the pandemic, KOYY invites listeners to submit their bills for consideration and hopes to ease some of their community’s anxiety.

KFNW-FM Provides 2,000 Meals

Date Posted: 4/24/2020

University of Northwestern’s KFNW-FM Fargo, N.D., provided more than 2,000 meals in a drive held April 21 -24 in partnership with the New Life Center. The meals will help feed families in the Red River Valley who have been hit by the hardships of COVID-19.

“Life 97.9 has been and continues to be a tremendous partner for the New Life Center,” said New Life Center Operations Director Tom O’Keefe. “Serving the homeless is a community effort and Life 97.9 has been instrumental in our efforts to take homeless men from a state of merely surviving to truly thriving.”

KVLY Provides Educational Content During COVID-19 Shutdown

Date Posted: 3/30/2020

Gray Television’s NBC affiliate KVLY-TV Fargo, N.D., began providing weather and science-focused classes in late March related to the COVID-19 school shutdowns. Taught by the station’s meteorologist, Hutch Johnson, each lesson covers a different topic related to meteorology.

“With so many schools canceled and families looking for way to keep their students engaged we were proud to offer this learning opportunity to our community,” said Ike Walker, KVLY’s general manager.

Gray’s Fargo Stations Help Make-A-Wish Families

Date Posted: 3/31/2019

Gray’s NBC affiliate KVLY and CBS affiliate KXJB Fargo, N.D., collected more than 500,000 airline miles for Make-A-Wish North Dakota through its “Wishes in Flight” drive on February 28. The airline miles will help the non-profit grant wishes for children diagnosed with critical illnesses. Seventy-five percent of wishes involve travel for the patient and their immediate family.

KVLY Collects Miles for Make-A-Wish

Date Posted: 3/1/2018

Gray’s NBC affiliate KVLY-TV Fargo, N.D., asked viewers to donate airline miles to Make-A-Wish during a drive held March 1. The event collected 545,000 miles that will allow wishes to come through for kids with critical illnesses. In the week leading up to the drive, KVLY featured news stories about kids who were positively impacted by Make-A-Wish. The station utilized all platforms during the March 1 drive, including live shots and mentions in every newscast.

“What our team did today is the very essence of what a local broadcaster does, bringing the community together to help the less fortunate,” said General Manager Jim Wareham.

Rep. Cramer Reaches Constituents Through Radio

Date Posted: 2/23/2017

U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND) participated in 164 town halls in 2016, more than any other member of Congress. They air on iHeartMedia’s KFYR-AM Bismarck, Leighton Enterprises’ KNOX-AM Grand Forks, Three Way Broadcasting’s KHND-AM Harvey and Forum Communications’ WDAY-AM Fargo. Cramer is so dedicated to these discussions that he sometimes calls in from votes on the House floor. “It’s been fun because I get to listen to people’s questions and concerns,” Cramer told Roll Call.

WDAY-AM Show Helps Veterans

Date Posted: 2/6/2017

Forum Communication’s WDAY-AM Fargo, N.D. launched a new show, “Heroes of the Heartland.” Host Master Sgt. Eric Marts discusses issues related to veterans, the military and their families. It also builds awareness of the non-profit “Homes for our Troops,” which builds and provides homes for veterans mortgage-free. Marts started the show five years ago, following his discharge from the U.S. Army after he an IED in Iraq caused brain injury, blindness, and damage to his arms, neck and back.

KOYY-FM Fargo Raises $165,000

Date Posted: 2/1/2016

Midwest Communication’s KOYY-FM Fargo, ND raised $165,000 for Sanford Children’s Hospital during the 16th Annual Cares for Kids Radiothon, Jan. 28-29. Patients and families share personal stories about how the Children’s Hospital has made a difference in their lives.

KPX-FM Hosts Radiothon for Cancer Research and Treatment

Date Posted: 10/14/2015

Gray Communication’s KPFX-FM Fargo, N.D. hosted the annual “61for61 Radiothon” with Sanford Health to benefit the Roger Maris Cancer Center. The radiothon, in addition to three days of events, such as a family cookout, silent auction and run/walk, raised more than $111,000.

Fargo Radiothon Pulls in $155,000 for Sanford Children’s Hospital

Date Posted: 3/13/2015

Midwest Communication’s WDAY-FM and KVOX-FM Fargo raised $155,000 during the 15th annual "Cares for Kids" Radiothon at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo, Jan. 29-30. During the two-day event, parents and children shared their stories of medical miracles on-air. The money ensures that children in North Dakota and northern Minnesota receive the best pediatric care without leaving the region.

WDAY-FM and KVOX-FM Raise $155,000 for Sanford Children’s Hospital

Date Posted: 2/1/2015

Midwest Communication’s WDAY-FM and KVOX-FM Fargo raised $155,000 the 15th Annual Cares for Kids Radiothon at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo Radiothon on Jan. 29-30. During the two-day event, parents and children shared their stories of medical miracles on-air. The money raised ensures that children in North Dakota and northern Minnesota receive the best pediatric care without leaving the region.

Bismarck TV Station Recognized by United Way

Date Posted: 1/30/2015

Reiten Television’s CBS affiliate KXMB-TV Bismarck, ND was recognized by the Missouri Valley Slope United Way in January for its efforts in the KX Cares Food Pantry Drive during the 2014 holiday season. The United Way recognized the efforts of volunteers and businesses, including KXMB-TV, for raising $2.5 million for the local community.

KXMB-TV Bismarck Bids for Kids

Date Posted: 12/16/2014

Reiten Television’s CBS affiliate KXMB-TV Bismarck, ND raised $10,000 during its 44th annual Kiwanis Bids for Kids auction on Dec. 12. The Bismarck Kiwanis used the money to support programs for local children in need.

Prairie Public Broadcasting’s Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive

Date Posted: 12/7/2014

Prairie Public Broadcasting’s PBS affiliate KFME- TV Fargo hosted a Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive in December. The drive spanned communities throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. The event was named for TV personality Mr. Rogers because he, like broadcasters, was primarily concerned with neighborhoods and communities.

KNOX-FM Raises $30,675 for Salvation Army

Date Posted: 12/5/2014

Leighton Broadcasting’s KNOX-FM Grand Forks, ND raised $30,675 for the Salvation Army on Dec. 2. This year’s event, the 10th annual, featured a silent auction and donations from the Valley Dairy Store’s gas sales.

KQDJ-FM Donates 200 Toys to Kids

Date Posted: 12/3/2014

Ingstad Family Media’s KQDJ-FM Valley City, N.D. donated 200 toys to local kids. Santa Clause gave the gifts to the kids at a local event held this month.

KMJO-FM Fargo Raises $8,000 to Support Children’s Miracle Network

Date Posted: 1/22/2014

Midwest Communication’s KMJO-FM Fargo’s 3rd Annual Dine to Donate event, held in January 2014, raised nearly $8,000 for the Sanford Children’s Hospital! All proceeds support special programs for sick and injured children treated at Sanford Children’s including state of the art, high tech medical equipment, research and education for the Children’s Miracle Network at Sanford Children’s Hospital.

Three Dozen Raise $2M for Families Affected by Flooding

Across North Dakota, over thirty radio and television stations recently partnered to host the "Bring Back the Magic" radio and telethon. The statewide fundraiser benefitted flood victims in Minot who lost their homes and possessions when the Souris River overflowed its banks. Together the broadcast stations raised nearly $2 million in donations from listeners and viewers, local, small businesses and corporations.
In another event, Clear Channel’s KFGO-AM Fargo and its affiliated stations, KFYR-AM Bismark and KCJB-AM Minot, auctioned off 10 tickets to the Black Eyed Peas concert at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. The auction raised more than $6,300 for the Minot Area Recovery Fund to benefit the 11,000 flood victims.

KFGO-AM,WZFG-AM Stay on Air During Flood

When the water in the Red River rose past flood levels, KFGO-AM and WZFG-AM in Fargo, N.D., became heroes to their local listeners. Determined to stay on the air, KFGO protected its facilities with sandbags and a newly built dike. Also remaining on air for a consecutive 24 hours, WZFG dropped regular programming to broadcast updates under FCC emergency rules. Through keeping their broadcast signal on throughout the disaster, the stations were able to provide listeners with lifesaving information.

KFGO-AM and WZFG-AM Stay on Air During Flood

When the water in the Red River rose past flood levels, KFGO-AM and WZFG-AM in Fargo, N.D. , became heroes to their local listeners. Determined to stay on the air, KFGO protected its facilities with sandbags and a newly built dike. Also remaining on air for a consecutive 24 hours, WZFG dropped regular programming to broadcast updates under FCC emergency rules. Through keeping their broadcast signal on throughout the disaster, the stations were able to provide listeners with lifesaving information.

Area Stations Support Homeless Shelter

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On any given day, the Northlands Rescue Mission for the Homeless houses 80 to 100 people. In any given year, it provides 70,000 meals. To make sure these critical services continue, KKXL-AM/FM, KJKJ-FM, KQHT-FM and KSNR-FM in Grand Forks, N.D., have given on-air support to the mission for the past three years. Substantial airtime is dedicated to raising awareness of the shelter’s work, fundraising efforts and need for volunteers. "Scan Away Hunger," "Brown Bag Luncheon" and "Adopt-a-Room" are just a few of the mission’s events backed by the stations. The mission’s executive director is often a guest behind the microphone, talking about the shelter’s upcoming events and needs. Each year, the stations air more than $40,000 worth of scheduled announcements in support of the shelter. "All five stations have different target audiences, so I am hoping every one in the community hears the message sometime," said Pat McLean, general manager for the cluster. As an expression of thanks for the strong support, the mission presented the stations with a sculpture of a homeless man.

Area Stations Help Less Fortunate

The combination of five days and five radio stations proves powerful in helping the needy each December in Bismarck, N.D.. During their "96 Hours of Caring" campaign, KLXX-AM, KUSB-FM, KKCT-FM, KBYZ-FM and KACL-FM ask their listeners to donate needed items to charities throughout the area. The event revolves around live broadcasts from station remotes, where on-air talent interviews various organizations on how to contribute and what items are needed most. Donations have included supplies for military stationed away from home, nonperishable food items for the hungry, blankets, cots and personal hygiene items for the homeless. "It is a real immediate way to reach people," said Tom Regan, executive director of the Missouri Slope Areawide United Way. "If listeners are inspired to do something, they can right away by stopping by the remote." In addition to the live broadcasts, the event is supported with promotional announcements run in advance and on-air acknowledgments to donors afterwards.

WDAY-AM and WDAY-TV Sponsor Honor Flights

Three "Honor Flight" trips sponsored by WDAY-AM and WDAY-TV in Fargo, N.D., allowed 587 local World War II veterans to see the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., more than 60 years after their service. The program began in 2007 as a community-wide effort to make sure World War II veterans from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota had the opportunity to visit the memorial free of charge. The stations’ efforts included a radio day blitz at a local shopping mall, a telethon, a fundraiser featuring nationally known soap opera and television stars, and more than 1,300 public service announcements. All of the hard work resulted in donations of $475,000 over seven months, which allowed WDAY to become the first media organization to take its own Honor Flight and the first to charter 747s to take veterans to the memorial. Nearly 10,000 hours of staff time went into making the Honor Flights a reality. Gov. John Hoeven met the veterans and wished them well on board the plane at each flight. While in flight, the stations interviewed the veterans for later broadcasts, and at the memorial, the stations conducted a three-hour live broadcast. Just in case anyone missed a broadcast, WDAY linked to the Honor Day Flight Web site throughout the year. "I have to say that we are still in awe of everything we experienced," said Beth Bouley, who accompanied her father on one of the three Honor Flights. "My father was incredibly moved by the beauty of the memorial and the opportunity to finally see it. Thank you, WDAY." WDAY was a National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.

KNOX-AM Provides Emergency Tornado Coverage

When a devastating tornado hit the neighboring community of Northwood on August 26, 2007, KNOX-AM in Grand Forks, N.D., was on the air giving emergency information and frequent news updates through the night. After the tornado, KNOX staff traveled by helicopter to report back on the disaster area. Efforts then turned to helping the community of Northwood recover. For nearly three weeks, KNOX was on location at various community hot spots around Grand Forks and East Grand Forks with their "Nickels for Northwood Ridgeline," asking listeners to throw spare change in the truck bed to raise disaster relief funds. KNOX also worked with area businesses, which donated a portion of their sales while the "Nickels for Norwood" vehicle was at their location. The event was supported with 500 30-second promotional spots, at least one live mention per hour each day of the relief drive, a two-hour live broadcast from each of the "Nickels for Northwood" locations and more than 110 staff hours. KNOX raised nearly $19,000 for the Northwood Relief Fund, one of the largest monetary donations made to the fund by a Grand Forks business. KNOX was a National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.

Area Stations Raise $26,000 for Cancer Rehabilitation

In answer to the question "Are You Tough Enough to Wear Pink?" the listeners of stations KWGO-FM, KBTO-FM and KTZU-FM in Minot, N.D. had one solid answer, "Heck yes." The campaign, which rallies the rodeo and western industry to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment and research, made its debut in the Minot area in 2007. The stations teamed with the local Y’s Men group and Trinity Hospital for the campaign, raising more than $26,000 for a new cancer exercise rehabilitation center at the Minot Family YMCA. The stations broadcast live from "Pink Party" fundraisers and ran promotional announcements, giving $14,000 worth of airtime to the cause. They also organized a Minot Cares raffle package worth $5,000, wrapped a pickup truck in pink, and helped inspire hundreds of people to support the campaign. All the hard work paid off at the culminating event. "It was an all pink rodeo that Friday," said station co-owner J. Davis. "The arena was a sea of pink."

KVLY-TV Holds ’Students Do the News’ Event

If little Suzy grows up to be a reporter some day, KVLY-TV in Fargo, N.D., might be the reason why. Each year, hundreds of kids come to the station’s "Students Do the News" event, where they have the opportunity to write their own 30-second scripts and present them on camera with one of the KVLY anchors. The fourth- through ninth-graders leave with a tape of their performance, and each video is posted on the station’s Web site so it can be easily shared with relatives and friends across the country. The station runs promotional spots inviting children, parents and teachers to be a part of the event every October. The station’s sports, weather and news personalities are all in attendance, and news coverage of the event includes highlights of potential future broadcasters.

KYFR-TV Partners with Charity Bike Race

In the four years KFYR-TV in Bismarck, N.D., has supported the MedcenterOne Great American Bike Race, a fundraiser for children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families, the stationary-bike race has grown six-fold. "There is absolutely no doubt that having local broadcaster KFYR pick up the race has given us visibility and a leg up," said Race Director Bruce Klootwyk. The race is the largest single fundraiser for cerebral palsy. In the weeks leading up to the race, KFRY runs news segments on the families helped by the fundraiser nearly every night. A one-hour live broadcast the day of the race, which includes a mini-telethon, is aired both on KFRY and simulcast on three satellite stations. In 2007, 890 riders pedaled a combined 7826.58 miles to raise $182,000. All money from the race is raised and distributed locally.

KYYZ-FM Airs PSAs for Area Humane Society

When the MonDak Humane Society had more animals than it could shelter, KYYZ-FM in Williston, N.D., stepped in. The station aired public service announcements (PSA) asking listeners to provide foster homes and donate cash to help cover food and veterinary costs. Wanting to do more, music director and morning show host Ross Carpenter, a "cat person" himself, created two on-air promotions, "The Purr-y Pals Pet Club" and "The Bone Patrol." For both efforts, listeners sent in the name of their four-legged best friend, and station staff voted on the top 10 names. Those winners then brought in a picture of their pet, and the staff picked one cat and one dog owner and awarded them with a trophy and a 25-pound bag of pet food. Throughout both promotions, there were on-air appeals for donations to the MonDak Humane Society, and every listener who donated at least $5 received a miniature FM radio. In total, $875 was donated to the Humane Society.