KWLM (1340 AM, “News/Talk 1340 AM & 96.3 FM”) is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Willmar, Minnesota, since 1940. The station was assigned the call sign “KWLM” by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The station’s broadcast license is held by Lakeland Broadcasting Company. KWLM is one of four stations in the Lakeland Broadcasting Group, which includes KLFN (“106.5 The Train”), KOLV (“Big Country 100.1”), and KQIC (“Q102”). The station’s AM signal is supplemented by FM translator K242CF at 96.3 MHz in Willmar, and in 2025, the station’s format was further expanded to relay on KBMO in Benson following an ownership acquisition.[3]
History
KWLM is one of the heritage radio stations in Minnesota, having officially signed on the air on October 5, 1940.[4][5] The station was founded by Harry W. Linder, a visionary entrepreneur who had to visit Washington D.C. twice to convince the FCC that a market as small as Willmar could support a local station.[6] The call letters were originally selected to represent “Willmar, Land of Many Lakes” or simply “WiLLmar, Minnesota.”
Just over a month after its launch, the station proved its vital importance during the Armistice Day Blizzard of November 11, 1940. With over a foot of snow and hundreds dead across the region, KWLM became the “social network” of its day, broadcasting emergency weather information and connecting isolated rural families.[7] The station remains under the control of the Linder family through Lakeland Media LLC, making it one of the longest-running family-owned broadcast operations in the state. The station is a member of the Linder Farm Network, broadcasting agricultural news and market reports three times daily.[8]
Alumni
Jack Lynch served the community for nearly 50 years as an on-air personality for KWLM. In addition, Lynch served on hospital and school boards as well as serving as mayor of Willmar from 1973 until 1976. Lynch died in 1999. He was the first announcer hired by the station, beginning his career just days before KWLM went on the air in October 1940.[9]
Translators
KWLM programming is also carried on two broadcast translator stations to extend or improve the coverage area of the station.
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K242CF | 96.3 FM FM | Willmar, Minnesota | 78070 | 250 | D | LMS |
| K266CM | 101.1 FM FM | Sunburg, Minnesota | 202344 | 250 | D | LMS |
References
- ^ “Facility Technical Data for KWLM”. Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ “Huge Number of AM Revitalization FM Translator Deals Filed with FCC, Including New York, L.A. Plans”.
- ^ “Classic Country Gets Upgrade in Western Minnesota”. NorthPine. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ “Radio Station KWLM on Air Saturday Morning”. Willmar Daily Tribune. Willmar, Minnesota. October 3, 1940. p. 9. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ “KWLM Celebrates 75 Years Of Broadcasting”. Lakeland Broadcasting. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ “KWLM History – BLOX Digital” (PDF). Willmar Daily Tribune Archive. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ “Linder Family – CommunityGiving”. Willmar Area Community Foundation. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ “Radio Stations – Minnesota News Network”. Minnesota News Network. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ “Jack Lynch”. Pavek Museum. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
External links
- KWLM official website
- Lakeland Broadcasting Company
- Linder Farm Network
- Facility details for Facility ID 36377 (KWLM) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- KWLM in Nielsen Audio‘s AM station database
- Facility details for Facility ID 78070 (K242CF) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- K242CF at FCCdata.org