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Uptown, Minneapolis

2025-10-09T01:22:33Z

2603:8000:EA00:E8EF:A586:D272:13CE:C285: /* History */ ce

{{Update|documentation|date=July 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Uptown Minneapolis
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Commercial District
| motto = "Normally out of the ordinary"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/archive/uptown-normally-out-of-the-ordinary/|title=Uptown: Normally Out of the Ordinary|first=Minnesota|last=Monthly|date=June 17, 2008}}</ref>
| image_skyline = calhoun_mpls.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| image_caption = [[Seven Points (Minnesota)|Seven Points]], formerly known as Calhoun Square, has been at the center of Uptown since the 1980s.
| image_blank_emblem =
| image_flag =
| image_map = MinneapolisCalhounIslesCommunity.PNG
| mapsize = 250px
| map_caption = Uptown is largely within the Bde Maka Ska- Isles community of the U.S. city of [[Minneapolis]]
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of cities in Minnesota|City]]
| subdivision_type4 = [[Neighborhoods of Minneapolis|Community]]
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_name1 = [[Minnesota]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Minneapolis]]
| subdivision_name4 = [[Bde Maka Ska-Isles, Minneapolis|Bde Maka Ska-Isles]]
| seat_type =
| seat =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| established_title = Branded
| established_date = 1920s
| founder = Uptown businessmen created "Uptown" name for area
| named_for = Desire to create an Uptown-like district similar to Chicago
| area_magnitude =
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| population_as_of = 2007
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| population_footnotes =
| timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset = -6
| timezone_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = -5
| coordinates = {{coord|44|56|56|N|93|17|55|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m =
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| postal_code_type =
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| area_code = [[area code 612|612]]
| website =
| footnotes =
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}}

'''Uptown''' is a commercial district in southwestern [[Minneapolis]] in the U.S. state of [[Minnesota]], that is centered at the intersection of [[Hennepin Avenue]] and [[Lake Street (Minneapolis)|West Lake Street]]. It has traditionally spanned the corners of four neighborhoods, [[Lowry Hill East, Minneapolis|Lowry Hill East]], [[East Bde Maka Ska, Minneapolis|East Bde Maka Ska]], [[South Uptown, Minneapolis|South Uptown]] and [[East Isles, Minneapolis|East Isles]] neighborhoods, which are all within the [[Calhoun Isles, Minneapolis|Calhoun Isles]] community.<ref>{{cite book|author=Imboden|first=Thatcher|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8S1wkwce52wC|title=Uptown Minneapolis|last2=Phillips|first2=Cedar Imboden|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2004|isbn=0-7385-3358-0|archive-date=December 10, 2024|access-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210082109/https://books.google.com/books?id=8S1wkwce52wC|url-status=live}}</ref> Historically, the boundaries of Uptown are approximately [[Bde Maka Ska]] (formerly Lake Calhoun) to the west, Dupont Avenue to the east, 31st Street to the south, and 28th Street to the north; though these borders often vary. Uptown is a popular destination for retail, nightlife, and cultural events, and the district was famously written about by recording artist [[Prince (musician)|Prince]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mspmag.com/Shop-And-Style/Articles/Shopping/Uptown-Grows-Up/|title=Uptown Grows Up|work=mspmag.com}}</ref>

==History==
The '''Lakes Area''' of Bde Maka Ska, [[Lake Harriet (Hennepin County, Minnesota)|Lake Harriet]], and [[Lake of the Isles]] became popular in the 1880s as vacation cottages, hotels, and boating recreation became available by streetcar. As Minneapolis expanded south, housing construction boomed through the 1920s. A commercial district began forming just east of the Lakes Area. At the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue, the Lagoon Theatre was built, a multi-function vaudeville theater. When the Lagoon burned in 1939, owners renovated it and the business community took the opportunity to rebrand the area.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Minneapolis/UptownTheatre.htm | title=The Uptown Theatre | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426150416/http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Minneapolis/UptownTheatre.htm | archive-date=2010-04-26}}</ref> Following the success of [[Uptown, Chicago|Chicago's Uptown District]], the [[Minneapolis Tribune]] announced the new '''Uptown District of Minneapolis'''<ref>{{cite news | url = http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/07/10/good-questions-mosquito-food-uptown-hat-tricks/ | work = [[CBS]] Minnesota | title = Good Questions: Mosquito Food, Uptown, Hat Tricks | date = July 10, 2015 | access-date = July 11, 2015 | archive-date = July 11, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150711183559/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/07/10/good-questions-mosquito-food-uptown-hat-tricks/ | url-status = live }}</ref> centered on the newly renamed Uptown Theatre.
[[File:Uptown Theater Minneapolis.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Uptown Theater (Minneapolis)|Uptown Theater]]]]

Through the 20th century, Uptown was primarily a family area centered around nearby West High School at Hennepin and West 28th Street. Modest housing along Lowry Hill met the mansions of Kenwood to the west and around the lakes. Hennepin flourished as a commercial corridor and route from downtown to residential homes, while Uptown served also as an important streetcar route from Uptown to the vacation homes of [[Lake Minnetonka]]. [[White flight]] via the freeway system after World War II and closing of West High School in 1982 (razed in 1984) signaled a demographic shift in the area. Blight and crime began moving into Lowry Hill though were kept at bay by the Kenwood area. Neighborhood associations and formal borders were designated in the 1970s as each section of Uptown began addressing domestic problems.

[[File:Uptown Minneapolis; Meters Enforced.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hennepin Avenue just north of West 31st Street...]]
[[File:Uptown Minneapolis; Hennepin & West Lake.jpg|thumb|right|250px|.. and a block north at West Lake Street.]]
During this time, Uptown developed an artist culture. The history of this culture is preserved in the annual Uptown Art Fair. In 1980, Minneapolis musician [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] released his seminal album ''[[Dirty Mind]]'', which contained his paean to these artists, appropriately titled "[[Uptown (Prince song)|Uptown]]". In 1993 he opened "New Power Generation," a retail store at 1408 West Lake Street, and in 1998 released "Calhoun Square," a song written in 1993, on his [[Crystal Ball (box set)|Crystal Ball]] album. A retail renaissance of the area occurred in the 1980s when [[Seven Points (Minnesota)|Seven Points]] (formerly named Calhoun Square) was developed. Combining a half block of existing storefront buildings plus new construction, the renovation turned the area into a competitive retail draw from Downtown and from the suburban dales (malls). As the popularity of Uptown as a residential district grew again, the definition of the area expanded.

The Lake Street Council launched a [https://www.visitlakestreet.com/museum-in-the-streets Museum In the Streets] project, a series of free, self-guided walking tours highlighting business districts along Lake Street, including Uptown. The [https://www.visitlakestreet.com/s/museumtinthestreet-uptown-tour.pdf Uptown Tour] spotlights historic businesses and places in the neighborhood, including the origins of [[Abdallah chocolates|Abdallah Candies]], Schlampp & Sons Furriers, and the Uptown Theater.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Uptown Tour - Lake Street Council|url = https://www.visitlakestreet.com/s/museumtinthestreet-uptown-tour.pdf|website = www.visitlakestreet.com|access-date = February 7, 2024}}</ref>

The neighborhood experienced [[2021 Uptown Minneapolis unrest|civil unrest]] in the aftermath of the [[killing of Winston Boogie Smith]] by law enforcement officers on June 3, 2021. Smith, a 32-year-old black American man,<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|last=Bellware|first=Kim|date=June 5, 2021|title=A Black Minneapolis man was shot by a U.S. Marshals task force. Investigators say there's no video evidence.|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/05/minneapolis-winston-boogie-smith-shooting/|url-status=live|access-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605233945/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/05/minneapolis-winston-boogie-smith-shooting/|archive-date=June 5, 2021|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> allegedly fired a gun<ref name=":212">{{Cite news|last=|date=June 4, 2021|title=UPDATE: 9 arrested in overnight vandalism, looting in Uptown; suspect said to have fired weapon at police|work=[[KSTP-TV]]|url=https://www.kstp.com/news/overnight-vandalism-looting-reported-after-officers-shot-killed-suspect-uptown-parking-ramp-minneapolis/6130847/?cat=1|url-status=live|access-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604111006/https://kstp.com/news/overnight-vandalism-looting-reported-after-officers-shot-killed-suspect-uptown-parking-ramp-minneapolis/6130847/?cat=1|archive-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":2323">{{Cite news|last=Wiita|first=Tommy|date=June 4, 2021|title=Suspect identified in Uptown police shooting; family demands video evidence|work=[[KSTP-TV]]|url=https://kstp.com/news/winston-smith-identified-as-suspect-in-uptown-police-shooting-family-demands-video-evidence/6131374/|url-status=live|access-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604203253/https://kstp.com/news/winston-smith-identified-as-suspect-in-uptown-police-shooting-family-demands-video-evidence/6131374/|archive-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> as they attempted to apprehend him in a parking ramp belonging to Seven Points near West [[Lake Street (Minneapolis)|Lake Street]] and Girard Avenue.<ref name=":2022">{{Cite news|last1=Olson|first1=Rochelle|last2=Jany|first2=Libor|last3=Rao|first3=Maya|date=June 4, 2021|title=BCA: Man shot and killed by police fired from inside vehicle; no footage of incident|work=[[Star Tribune]]|url=https://www.startribune.com/bca-man-shot-and-killed-by-police-fired-from-inside-vehicle-no-footage-of-incident/600064680/|url-status=live|access-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604180559/https://www.startribune.com/bca-man-shot-and-killed-by-police-fired-from-inside-vehicle-no-footage-of-incident/600064680/|archive-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=|date=June 3, 2021|title=BCA: Man fired weapon before he was shot, killed by law enforcement in Uptown|url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/uptown-minneapolis-shooting/89-070ac371-5567-4a36-9d18-a7abc7e048a7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614224104/https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/uptown-minneapolis-shooting/89-070ac371-5567-4a36-9d18-a7abc7e048a7|archive-date=June 14, 2021|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=[[KARE-11]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Protests were held over subsequent weeks with demonstrators periodically occupying a street intersection and nearby vacant lot near where Smith was killed, until eventually said lot was fenced off. On the night of June 13, a demonstrator, [[Deona Knajdek]], was killed when a vehicle rammed into a street demonstration.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last1=Sepic|first1=Matt|last2=Nelson|first2=Tim|last3=Collins|first3=Jon|date=June 14, 2021|title=1 dead, 3 hurt after driver plows into protesters in Uptown Minneapolis|work=[[Minnesota Public Radio]]|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/06/14/one-dead-after-driver-crashes-into-protesters-in-uptown-minneapolis|url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614124231/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/06/14/one-dead-after-driver-crashes-into-protesters-in-uptown-minneapolis|archive-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Paul|last2=Reinan|first2=John|date=June 14, 2021|title=Driver hits Uptown protesters in Minneapolis, killing 31-year-old woman and injuring others|work=[[Star Tribune]]|url=https://www.startribune.com/driver-hits-uptown-protesters-in-minneapolis-killing-31-year-old-woman-and-injuring-others/600067949/|url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614224041/https://www.startribune.com/driver-hits-uptown-protesters-in-minneapolis-killing-31-year-old-woman-and-injuring-others/600067949/|archive-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref>

As an informal neighborhood, Uptown has no official boundaries, and there are generational differences in its definition. The intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street is known as the heart of the district.<ref name="borders-strib25">{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=Jake |last2=Hargarten |first2=Jeff |last3=Jackson |first3=Zoë |title=We asked where Uptown is, and 2,000 readers responded. Here’s what you declared. |url=https://www.startribune.com/we-asked-where-uptown-is-and-2000-of-you-responded-heres-what-you-declared/601413699 |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=[[Minnesota Star Tribune]] |date=August 13, 2025}}</ref>

==Culture==
Uptown is a mix of various cultural strains and is considered an area for young people to live and shop. It was formerly known as a vibrant center for artists and musicians, a center for [[Counterculture]], and [[hippies]], similar to [[East Village, Manhattan]]. The artist community was popularized by the musician [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], who started his career in Uptown. The area has experienced [[gentrification]], and is no longer considered the bohemian area it once was. Many of the older buildings and long-standing businesses in the area have closed or been torn down due to gentrification. But the area is still considered vibrant and walkable.<ref>[http://www.minnpost.com/stroll/2012/01/yes-uptown-suffers-personality-crisis-its-also-vibrant-and-undeniably-walkable Uptown personality crisis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402135942/http://www.minnpost.com/stroll/2012/01/yes-uptown-suffers-personality-crisis-its-also-vibrant-and-undeniably-walkable |date=April 2, 2015 }} accessed March 30, 2015</ref>

This area has a vast variety of ethnic food and grocery stores from Asian to Mexican to middle eastern. Uptown's more than 20 bars within a three-block radius draw people from across the metro area to revel in the district. Uptown seems to draw a "slightly older and 'more sophisticated'" clientele compared to the Warehouse District. Controversy about noise, particularly surrounding bar's rooftop patios. In 2011 City Council Member Meg Tuthill wrote a noise ordinance to address the issue, but it was afterwards withdrawn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/style/199587541.html|title=Uptown's late-night scene is hitting a new high|work=Star Tribune|access-date=April 15, 2014|archive-date=April 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416182037/http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/style/199587541.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The area annually hosts the Uptown Art Fair, during the first full weekend of August. Local, national, and world artists converge to exhibit and sell fine art. Art media include paintings, sculptures, clothing, pottery, jewelry, glass, and mixed media.

==Demographics==
As of 2000 the current population for Uptown Minneapolis was 30,564 of which 15,947 are male and 14,617 are female. The population consists of 19,314 Caucasians, 4,930 African-Americans, 4,729 Hispanics, 1,630 Asians, 514 Native Americans, and 32 native Hawaiian. Fewer than 3,600 of this population are children under 5 and citizens over the age of 65. The median age is 29 years old. The majority age of this area is people 18 years and older. The average household size is 2.05 while the average family size is 3.19. Uptown Minneapolis has a total of 15,033
housing units of which 75% are renter occupied while 3% of housing units were vacant. Social characteristics showed 40.08% of population completed a bachelor's degree or higher while 84.9% had completed a high school degree or higher. The median household income is $34,216.00, the median family income is $38,634.00.

==Economy==
Uptown is renowned for its lively arts and entertainment options that feature many restaurants, stores, night clubs, bars, and theaters.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Best of Minneapolis' Uptown Neighborhood|url=https://www.minneapolis.org/neighborhoods/south/uptown/|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Meet Minneapolis|language=en|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023032535/https://www.minneapolis.org/neighborhoods/south/uptown/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2000s, however, the neighborhoods surrounding Uptown have seen a surge in [[gentrification]]. This has caused an increase in [[real estate|property value]] and in [[property taxes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/09/30_scheckt_condoconversions/|title=MPR: Minneapolis losing affordable housing to condo conversions|author=Minnesota Public Radio|date=September 30, 2005|work=publicradio.org}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The Uptown Transit Station is located on Hennepin Avenue over the 29th Street Greenway and serves [[Metro Transit (Minnesota)|Metro Transit]] buses 6, 12, 17, 21, 23, 53, 114 and 115. The station also has a [[change machine]], a heated interior, binoculars, bike lockers and posts, and a workers lounge and office area. The [[Midtown Greenway]], a former railway cutting which now hosts a bike path, bisects Uptown two blocks north of [[Lake Street (Minneapolis)|Lake Street]] adjacent to 29th Street.

==Notable residents==
*[[Bob Stinson]], musician
*[[Lyle Wright]], businessman and hockey manager

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.uptownminneapolis.com/ Uptown Association]

{{Minneapolis neighborhoods}}

[[Category:Neighborhoods in Minneapolis]]
[[Category:Economy of Minneapolis]]

KDWB-FM

2025-10-09T01:07:43Z

2603:8000:EA00:E8EF:A586:D272:13CE:C285: /* History */ redundant, ce

{{Short description|Radio station in Richfield–Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{original research|date=October 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2015}}
}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| rds = PI: 1A29<br>PS/RT: 101.3 KDWB Title Artist
| name = KDWB-FM
| logo = kdwbfm.png
| logo_upright = .9
| city = [[Richfield, Minnesota]]
| country = US
| area = [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]]
| frequency = {{Frequency|101.3|[[MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| branding = ''101.3 KDWB''
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio]]
| subchannels = {{ubl|HD2: "[[Pride Radio]]"|[[Top 40]]–[[Electronic dance music|EDM]]|HD3: "State Fair Radio"|[[Variety hits]]}}
| affiliations = [[Premiere Networks]]
| owner = [[iHeartMedia]]
| licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC
| sister_stations = {{hlist|[[K244FE]]|[[K273BH]]|[[KEEY-FM]]|[[KFXN-FM]]|[[KQQL]]|[[KTCZ-FM]]|[[KTLK]]|[[W227BF]]}}
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1959|8|p=fy}}
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WPBC-FM (1959–1972)|WRAH (1972–1974)|WYOO-FM (1974–1976)}}
| callsign_meaning = disambiguation of former Los Angeles sister station [[KFWB]]
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| facility_id = 41967
| class = C0
| erp = 100,000 watts
| haat = {{convert|315|meters}}
| coordinates = {{coord|45|3|29.9|N|93|7|27.8|W|type:landmark_region:US-MI_source:OSM}}
| webcast = {{ubl|{{iHeartRadio|1013-kdwb-1201}}|{{iHeartRadio|state-fair-radio-7895}} (HD3)}}
| website = {{URL|https://kdwb.iheart.com/}}
}}
'''KDWB-FM''' (101.3 [[MHz]]) is a commercial radio station broadcasting in the [[Twin Cities]] region of [[Minnesota]], [[city of license|licensed]] to suburban [[Richfield, Minnesota|Richfield]]. The station is owned by [[iHeartMedia]], and airs a [[contemporary hit radio]] format.

KDWB has an [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) of 100,000 watts. KDWB's transmitter broadcasts from the [[KMSP Tower]] in [[Shoreview]].

KDWB has an auxiliary transmitter with an [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) of 32,540 watts located at the [[IDS Center]] in [[Downtown Minneapolis]]. Studios are located in [[St. Louis Park]].

==History==
Between its AM and FM frequencies, KDWB has been an uninterrupted Top 40 outlet since 1959, originally at 630 kHz. KDWB gained an FM sister in 1976, when then-owner [[Doubleday Broadcasting]] purchased the 101.3 MHz frequency, later transferring the format there as FM stations attracted listeners from AM.

===63 KDWB===
{{See also|WREY}}
KDWB's origins date back to [[1951 in radio|1951]] on the AM dial at 1590 kHz. The station was launched in August 1951, licensed to [[South St. Paul]] by the Tedesco brothers, Al, Vic and Nick,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://startribune.newspapers.com/image/183409743/?terms=wcow&match=1|title=Aug 12, 1951, page 43 - Star Tribune at The Minnesota Star Tribune - The Minnesota Star Tribune Archive|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> as WCOW. On the air between dawn and dusk, the station played [[country music|country]] western and old-time music and signed on each day with a [[Cowbell (instrument)|cowbell]]. The offices and studios were located at 208 Third Avenue N., and the transmitter was located at 158 White Bear Avenue in North St. Paul.<ref name="auto"/> The Tedesco brothers had attempted to get into television the previous year, on channel 17, but financial backing fell through. (The channel 17 allocation was granted to [[Twin Cities Public Television]] in 1965.)

WCOW was not successful, so the station transitioned to a female-oriented format, with the call letters changing to WISK in May 1956,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://startribune.newspapers.com/image/187733333/?terms=wisk+++wcow&match=1|title=May 11, 1956, page 31 - The Minneapolis Star at The Minnesota Star Tribune - The Minnesota Star Tribune Archive|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and switched its frequency to 630 kHz the next year. Once more, the format proved unpopular, and the station was sold the following year to the Crowell-Collier Broadcasting Company, owners of [[KFWB]] in Los Angeles and [[KNEW (AM)|KEWB]] in San Francisco. The [[top 40]] format of those stations, with strong California/West Coast style influence, was brought to Minnesota, and the call letters changed to KDWB in September 1959.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://startribune.newspapers.com/image/184366760/?terms=kdwb&match=1|title=Sep 16, 1959, page 34 - Star Tribune at The Minnesota Star Tribune - The Minnesota Star Tribune Archive|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> "Channel 63, KDWB" then began its long uninterrupted run as a pop music station, and quickly became a major competitor to the established [[WDGY]], which had been playing a pop music format for three years by that point. KDWB and WDGY were fierce rivals throughout the 1960s and 1970s; during that time, both stations gained more competition, as "Request Radio" AM 950 and FM 104.1 [[KZJK|KRSI]] (1968), [[KSTP (AM)|KSTP]] (1972), and [[KKMS (AM)|WYOO]] (1974) picked up the format.

As KDWB, the station became the first radio station to be fined by the [[Federal Communications Commission]]. In March 1961, six months after a review of the [[Communications Act of 1934]] granted it such power, the agency assessed a $10,000 penalty to the station for repeated willful violations of nighttime broadcast power restrictions on the [[AM band]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1961/1961-03-27-BC.pdf|page=46|work=Broadcasting|date=March 27, 1961|access-date=December 4, 2020|title=FCC throws the book at KDWB: $10,000 fine for power-antenna flub is first test of new law}}</ref>

====On-air staff and other programming====
During the 1960s and 1970s, Program Director Chuck Blore referred to the seven air shifts in 24 hours as "The 7 Swinging Gentlemen". They included:
* [[Don Bleu|"True" Don Bleu]]
* [[Bob Shannon (radio)|Bob Shannon]]
* [[Lou Waters|Lou Reigert]] (Lou Waters)

Other notable On Air Staff included:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://startribune.newspapers.com/image/181507934/?terms=%22rob+sherwood%22&match=1|title=Jan 02, 1973, page 19 - Star Tribune at The Minnesota Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://startribune.newspapers.com/image/184923855/?terms=%22rob+sherwood%22&match=1|title=Jan 01, 1969, page 19 - Star Tribune at The Minnesota Star Tribune - The Minnesota Star Tribune Archive|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://startribune.newspapers.com/image/186137978/?terms=%22kdwb%22&match=1|title=Jan 24, 1974, page 26 - Star Tribune at The Minnesota Star Tribune - The Minnesota Star Tribune Archive|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
* Ron Block
* Charles Brown
* Barry McKenna
* Jonny Matthews
* Adam North
* Chris Roberts
* Jackson Ross
* Rob Sherwood
* Earl Trout

Syndicated and/or non-local originating broadcasts included [[American Top 40]] with [[Casey Kasem]], which aired Sunday evenings, and for over ten years, it was the highest-rated program in the Twin Cities market.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} Additional syndicated programming included "Jim Ladd's Innerview."

Program directors included Chuck Blore and Bob Shannon.

On April 18, 1994, after 36 years, the 630 kHz frequency went dark. The owner, Midcontinent Media, sold the studio and tower site, which by then had been at Radio Drive and Interstate 94 for many years, for development. The regional headquarters of [[State Farm]] Insurance was built in its place.

===History of 101.3 FM===
101.3 FM began broadcasting on July 18, 1960,<ref>{{cite news|first=Will|last=Jones|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63075150/more-fm-on-the-way/|date=July 18, 1960|title=More FM on the Way|page=34|work=Minneapolis Morning Tribune}}</ref> as WPBC-FM, simulcasting daytime-only [[KKMS (AM)|WPBC (980 AM)]] and broadcasting at night.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63075109/|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=July 14, 1960|page=13B|work=The Minneapolis Star|title=A new FM radio station...}}</ref> Four years later, owners Bill and Becky Ann Stewart received approval to move both stations from Minneapolis to Richfield, including an increase of the AM's power to 5 kW.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=71366 |title= History Cards for KDWB-FM|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}} ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Radio Stations/History Cards|Guide to reading History Cards]])</ref> In 1969, the stations separated their programming, with the FM retaining the "good music" format, and the AM adopting a middle-of-the-road ("MOR") format.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63075219/|title=WPBC Adult Radio Expands Programming Services|date=August 29, 1969|access-date=November 11, 2020|work=The Minneapolis Tribune|page=19}}</ref> The studios, transmitters (both AM and FM), towers and offices were located at the intersection of Cliff Road and Cedar Avenue (presently "Nichols Road"), in [[Eagan, Minnesota|Eagan]].

The Stewarts sold WPBC-AM-FM in 1972, citing increased competition from larger companies, to [[Fairchild Aircraft|Fairchild Industries]] for $1.5 million. Fairchild subsequently dismissed the staff and overhauled both stations. On November 3, 1972, WPBC became WYOO, airing an oldies format, while WPBC-FM went off the air for technical adjustments, to emerge as [[album-oriented rock]] station WRAH<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63075276/|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=November 4, 1972|pages=1A, 7A|work=Minneapolis Tribune|title='Scrapbook' shut by 'Golden Oldies' for WPBC radio}}</ref> on January 23, 1973.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63076152/|access-date=November 12, 2020|first=Forrest|last=Powers|date=January 19, 1973|page=23A|title=WRAH May Start With Hum|work=The Minneapolis Star}}</ref>

After making its debut to middling ratings that continually declined, WYOO pivoted in April 1974, spearheaded by new general manager Mike Sigelman, the former sales manager of KDWB.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63075384/|access-date=November 11, 2020|first=Irv|last=Letofsky|title=WYOO to make nostalgia craze only a memory|work=Minneapolis Tribune|page=10B|date=April 10, 1974}}</ref> A shift to adult contemporary was met with even lower ratings; with management seeing a gap for an FM Top 40 station, both stations flipped<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63075435/|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=October 17, 1974|work=Minneapolis Star|title=Ear tuggers dabble in art|first=Forrest|last=Powers|page=23B}}</ref> on August 26, 1974, while broadcasting from the [[Minnesota State Fair]].{{r|sun}} The market's fourth Top 40 at the time, originally intended to be "Y100" until [[WHYI-FM|WHYI Miami]] sent a cease and desist letter, quickly became a competitive station in the market.

U100 enjoyed a colorful but short life. The AM dial in the Twin Cities was packed with Top 40 stations, with U100, KDWB, [[KFAN (AM)|WDGY]] and [[KSTP (AM)|KSTP]] all fighting for the same audience. AM music stations also desired to transition to the increasingly popular FM dial. In early [[1976 in radio|1976]], Fairchild Industries placed both stations on the market. [[Entercom|Entertainment Communications, Inc.]], the owner of [[easy listening]] station [[KXXR|WAYL (93.7 FM)]], was interested in the AM station to simulcast WAYL's signal, but it could not buy a second FM station in the market under the rules of the time. This meant that Fairchild needed to find a buyer for the FM station; the company contacted owners of standalone AM stations in the area. Doubleday Broadcasting was not actively seeking an FM station at the time, but offered to buy WYOO-FM in February 1976 after it was presented with a generous deal that included the FM station and the building in [[Eagan, Minnesota|Eagan]] that housed both stations for $850,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63075543/|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=February 16, 1976|page=9B|title=WYOO-FM is sold to KDWB owner|work=Minneapolis Tribune}}</ref> KDWB's general manager at the time, Gary Stevens, said that it did not buy WYOO-FM to shut down a competitor, but rather to take advantage of what it saw as a good deal.<ref name="sun">{{cite news|title=Playing The Lame Duck Boogie At U100 Radio|first=Dave|last=Hill|pages=9, 10|work=Sun|date=May 27, 1976|url=http://www.radiotapes.com/user/U100%20-%20Sun.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715145329/http://www.radiotapes.com/user/U100%20-%20Sun.pdf |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |url-status=dead|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref> The AM station was then sold to WAYL for $625,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-05-17-BC.pdf|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=May 17, 1976|page=34|title=Changing Hands|work=Broadcasting}}</ref>

"U100" ended at midnight on September 16 [[1976 in radio|1976]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63075594/|title=WYOO signals taken over by KDWB on FM and by WAYL on AM|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=September 16, 1976|page=4C|work=Minneapolis Star}}</ref> and under KDWB PD John Sebastian, KDWB morning personality Dave Thomson launched the KDWB AM/FM simulcast the following morning at 6:00 with "[[Bad Blood (Neil Sedaka song)|Bad Blood]]" by [[Neil Sedaka]] as the first song played following a pre-recorded announcement introducing the change from U100. Full-time AM/FM simulcasts on stations licensed to large cities (cities with populations over 100,000) had not been allowed by the FCC since 1965. However, KDWB's simulcast was permitted via a conditional waiver and a technicality: while the AM was licensed to St. Paul (a community of over 100,000), the FM's city of license, Richfield, had a substantially smaller population. The FCC deemed the request to be in the public interest; however, KDWB was required by the FCC to broadcast eight hours of separate FM non-simulcast public affairs programming per week, with a portion focused on Richfield. The public affairs programs were broadcast from the former WYOO studio B news room and master control board in Eagan.

Boosted by the FM stereo simulcast and the removal of one of its competitors, KDWB quickly regained its position as the dominant Top 40 station in the Twin Cities. After a brief stint with a [[contemporary hit radio|CHR]]/[[album rock]] hybrid as "Y-11", WDGY switched to a [[country music|country]] format on September 2 [[1977 in radio|1977]]. [[KSTP (AM)|KSTP]] began to lean [[Adult Top 40]] during the late 1970s and evolved into a [[talk radio|talk]] station by the early 1980s (as its music focus shifted to FM sister, [[KS95]]). By the end of the decade, KDWB was the only Top 40 station in the Twin Cities.

===Stereo 101===
[[File:Stereo101 Billboard.jpg|thumb|Stereo 101 FM billboard in 1982]]
With the active competition gone, KDWB-FM split apart from the AM station's Top 40 simulcast in September 1979, and became a pop/rock hybrid as "K101 FM", with a new separate air-staff. K101 FM was met with mixed reviews and less than hoped for ratings in the Fall 1979 Arbitron ratings. KDWB management opted for a change between the last week of December 1979 and New Year's 1980, by replacing the Program Director. The station immediately morphed into "Stereo 101, The Twin Cities Rockin' Best", then "KDWB Twin Cities' 101, The Home Of Rock 'N' Roll", and then "Real Rock 101 KDWB", an [[album rock]] station designed to go up against [[KQRS-FM|KQ92]], which had recently dumped its [[Freeform (radio format)|freeform rock]] presentation and adopted a stricter playlist in reaction to a drop in ratings. Stereo 101 would be successful in its four-year run, topping KQRS in the Arbitron ratings many times, but KQRS would endure and prevail. By the summer 1983, KDWB-FM began to move from [[album rock]] to a pop/rock hybrid again, and eventually evolved into [[contemporary hit radio|CHR]] the following year. KDWB's AM signal continued with the Top 40 format during this time, although it softened to [[adult contemporary]] in 1984.

===Back to Top 40===
In December [[1981 in radio|1981]], a serious new Top 40 competitor arrived in the Twin Cities, when [[WLOL (Defunct)|WLOL]] dropped its [[soft rock]] format and turned itself into a high-profile hit music station (heavy with [[power pop]] and [[new wave music|new wave]]), immediately shooting to the top of the ratings. At the other end of the spectrum, [[KS95]] gravitated toward [[Adult Top 40]]. Around this time, [[WCCO-FM]] also briefly switched to Top 40. Meanwhile, 63 KDWB faded quickly in the ratings, as AM music stations were slowly becoming a thing of the past. To protect its heritage, take a chunk of WLOL's stellar ratings, and finally make the move of its legendary station to the FM dial, in early [[1984 in radio|1984]], KDWB-FM reverted to the Top 40 simulcast as "The New KDWB FM 101", and then as "All Hit 101". Even though the AM station was running its own programming at times, in a role reversal, the FM signal was now deemed the priority, as 630 AM attained secondary status. The AM station aired a [[Contemporary Hit Radio|CHR]] format identical to its FM counterpart from fall [[1984 in radio|1984]] to spring [[1986 in radio|1986]], before it flipped to a separate satellite delivered [[Oldies]] format as "K63" in May [[1986 in radio|1986]]. In August 1991, [[WREY|630 AM]] took on the WDGY call letters of their former Top 40 rival on 1130 AM.

KDWB-FM struggled for years against upstart market leader WLOL, which featured a fresher music selection, more popular DJs, and a highly rated morning show. KDWB was viewed by many as stuffy, stale, boring and misguided, and it went through several unsuccessful morning shows. It was argued by many that its promotions, music selection and on-air presentation paled in comparison to WLOL.

In [[1988 in radio|1988]], newly hired program director Brian Phillips cleaned house, as he dismissed many of the on-air personalities, overhauled the music and brought in [[Steve Cochran (radio host)|Steve Cochran]] to host ''The KDWB Morning Zoo''. He also hired a new air staff, introduced 12-song commercial-free music sweeps, changed the overall on-air presentation, and created a new logo, which is still in use today. As the rechristened "101.3 KDWB", its fortunes changed, with KDWB quickly becoming the dominant [[Mainstream Top 40|Top 40]]/[[Contemporary Hit Radio|CHR]] station in the market. Now, WLOL was playing catch-up, as it tried various minor overhauls and tweaks before moving in a [[Rhythmic Contemporary|Rhythmic]]-oriented direction in [[1990 in radio|1990]].<ref>https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1990/RR-1990-05-18.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

KDWB also gained national attention in 1989 for helping to break "[[The Look]]" by [[Roxette]], the first of four U.S. number-one songs for the Swedish duo. In February 1991, WLOL came to a sudden and premature end, as owner [[Emmis Broadcasting]] experienced financial problems and began to divest of many of its properties. [[Minnesota Public Radio]] purchased WLOL and turned it into the flagship for their [[classical music]] service. Throughout the rest of the 1990s, KDWB had virtually no CHR competition.

In [[2000 in radio|2000]], KDWB got a new rival of sorts when upstart [[KTTB]] ("B96") went on the air with a [[rhythmic Top 40]] format, heavy with [[hip-hop]] and [[urban contemporary]] music. While B96 was not the threat of a major rating, partly due to its rimshot broadcast signal and smaller promotional presence, it did give KDWB the most formidable competition it had in recent years. Later, the competition for the rhythmic/urban audience came from [[KZGO]], sister station to the former B96.

At the other end of the spectrum, [[KS95]] also competes somewhat with its older-leaning [[Hot AC]] format (which has since transitioned to a younger-leaning direction), as does KDWB's own sister station [[KTCZ]], with its own pop/rock-leaning Hot AC presentation. In [[2010 in radio|2010]], KTTB rebranded as KHTC (now [[KMWA]]), leaning more towards KDWB's format, and relocated their transmitter to the heart of the metro area. The battle between KDWB and KHTC lasted until New Year's Day 2012, when KHTC flipped to Modern AC to fill the void left open by [[KMNB|WLTE]]'s flip to Country, thus leaving KDWB as the market's only mainstream Top 40 outlet again.

==HD Radio==
On April 25, 2006, Clear Channel Communications (now [[iHeartMedia]]), announced that KDWB's [[HD Radio|HD2 subchannel]] will carry a format focusing on dance hits. The HD2 signed the following July as the ''Party Zone''. "Party Zone" is also the name of the Friday and Saturday night show on KDWB simulcasted from local clubs that in the past has been hosted by the likes of Tone E. Fly, Gerry Dixon and Michael Knight. After six months of running jockless, the subchannel began to add announcers (from KDWB) to its programming.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

In 2010, the Party Zone format began broadcasting on [[K273BH]], its FM translator at 102.5, which covers the area. They were one of two outlets in the Clear Channel roster that did not use the [[Club Phusion]] Dance format, as this one featured a live presentation over the air. The other one is [[KXJM]] [[Portland, Oregon]], who launched "Too Wild HD2" in January 2012, customized for that market.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

On April 29, 2013, the Party Zone format was dropped in favor of an [[Adult Contemporary]] format. In e-mails exchanged with the KDWB programming director, it was discovered that ultimately the station will air "songs recorded in Studio C from [[Cities 97]]", which began on July 15, 2013. [[K273BH]] was flipped to relay [[KTCZ-FM|KTCZ-HD2]].

In 2017, KDWB-HD2 changed to iHeart's "Trancid" format.

In May 2018, the station activated an HD3 sub-channel, and began airing an [[adult hits]] format as "[[Minnesota State Fair]] Radio".

After [[KQQL|KQQL-HD3]]/[[K244FE]] dropped the "Pride Radio" format and flipped to [[sports talk]] as "KFAN Plus" in August 2018, the "Pride Radio" format moved to KDWB-HD2.

On November 16, 2018, KDWB-HD3 briefly switched to KQQL's classic hits format (while KQQL made its annual flip to Christmas music that same day). However, on November 30, KDWB-HD3 switched to a [[country music|country]] format branded as "The Bull 101.3-HD3." Gregg Swedberg, program director and operations manager of sister [[KEEY]], says that the "Bull" format "just plays country music, with no pop crossovers".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/172429/iheart-plays-country-brand-blocker-in-minneapolis/|title=iHeart Plays Country Brand Blocker In Minneapolis|date=November 30, 2018|website=radioinsight.com|access-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countryaircheck.com/|title=Country Aircheck|website=countryaircheck.com|access-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref>

In May 2019, KDWB-HD3 reverted to its previous "Minnesota State Fair Radio" branding and Country/Adult Hits format.

==''Dave Ryan in the Morning''==
The ''[[Dave_Ryan_(radio)|Dave Ryan]] in the Morning'' show has been KDWB's morning show since June 4, 1993. Ryan's co-hosts are Jenny Luttenberger, Bailey Hess and Vont Leak.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioink.com/2024/05/23/vont-leak-and-bailey-hess-added-to-twin-cities-morning-radio/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |date=May 23, 2024 |title=Vont Leak and Bailey Hess added to Twin Cities Morning Radio |work=Radio Ink }}</ref>
{{Further|topic=the radio countdown show|Ringtone Countdown}}

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Radio}}
* [[KKMS (AM)]]
* [[WDGY]]
* [[WYOO (U100)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{officialwebsite|https://kdwb.iheart.com/}}
{{FM station data|41967|KDWB-FM}}

==Further reading==
* {{URL|https://www.oldradio.com/current/bc_1sts.htm|Barry Mishkind (February 28, 2004) Broadcast History FAQ The Broadcast Archive}}
* {{URL|https://www.radiotapes.com/|Classic airchecks of KDWB, KDWB-FM, U100, and "Stereo 101"}}
* {{URL|https://www.oldiesloon.com/twincitieshome.htm|Historical information of Twin Cities Top 40 stations}}
* {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20051109175856/http://www.users.uswest.net/~oldiesloon/stahist.htm|Station histories}}

{{Minneapolis-St. Paul Radio}}
{{Contemporary Hit Radio Stations in Minnesota}}
{{IHeartMedia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1959 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:HD Radio stations]]
[[Category:IHeartMedia radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1959]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Minnesota]]