780 AM, Norfolk

Through the Years

• 1912

  The late Editor and Publisher of the Norfolk Daily News, Gene Huse became interested in radio and built the first radio receiver in his basement as a hobby.

• 1922

  In July of 1922, WJAG was granted its first federal license.  The first WJAG studio was in the Norfolk Daily News Building.  The first 3 1/2 years WJAG was operated largely without advertising revenue.  Not until February of 1926 did WJAG accept any paid advertising dollars.

  1922-1934 Karl Steffen was the first Chief Announcer and Noon Newscaster.  Karl’s “Noon Program” over WJAG found a majority of Northeast Nebraska families at their radio set to hear the noon news, the markets, Cradle Roll and Hospital Reports.  Mr. Stefan was a Nebraska Congressman from 1934 to 1951.

  In the early years Mr. Huse and Karl Stefan arranged to furnish radios to shut-ins who at last found regular instant contact with the outside world.

  Operated at 1060 KC from 1922-1940.

• 1926

  “Cradle Roll” a WJAG feature was introduced to greet local infants.

  In the early days broadcasting at 780 AM was a country music format and could be heard as far away as California, Florida and Texas.

• 1927

  Norfolk Daily News publisher and owner of WJAG, Gene Huse hired Harry Burke as the station’s first full time manager.

• 1930

  Beginning in the ’30s, the WJAG studio was located on the mezzanine of the old Hotel Norfolk on the corner of 4th & Norfolk Ave.

  Ted Bandelin replaced Harry Burke as manager, who left Norfolk to work at WOW, Omaha.

• 1931

  Lutheran Hour first broadcast.

• 1932

  Ted Bandelin departed WJAG and was replaced by a long-time acquaintance of Gene Huse, Art Thomas, who would oversee station operations for nearly 20 years.

• 1934

  The WJAG print ad for the children’s program.  The letters stood for “With Joy And Gladness”.

  During the drought and depression, WJAG acted as a clearing house for farmers with livestock feed and producer that had stock but no forage.  Another list matched farmers who needed to move their stock to locations with sufficient fodder.

• 1940

  Norfolk Hatchery “Lucky Chick” was aired.

  Operated at 1090kc from 1941-1942.

• 1944

  “Back to the Bible” was first broadcast.

  The disastrous downtown flood of 1944 forced a station move to a building at 6th & Norfolk Avenue.

  June 6, 1944- Petition to change frequency to 780 kc-  still broadcasts at 780 am daytime.

• 1946

  “Voice of the People” was first broadcast.

• 1950

  One of WJAG’s most popular programs “The Mary Moore Show” was a daily show devoted to housewives.

• 1951

  1951 was the first WJAG state fair caravan traveling to Lincoln- 150 passengers on 4 buses.

  Robert E. “BT” Thomas replaces Art Thomas as General Manager.

• 1952

  By 1952, over 2500 Cradle Roll cars a year were being sent to babies in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas.

• 1955

  WJAG moved into its present building at 309 West Braasch Avenue.

• 1961

  Gene Huse passed away and was succeeded by his son Eugene (Jerry) Huse.

• 1971

  In August of 1971, WJAG FM (106.7) went on the air.

• 1979

  WJAG-FM changed call letters to KEXL FM.

• 1980

  From 1980-1981, the present building had a total renovation.

• 1984

  KEXL FM went to a 24 hour operation.

• 1985

  In January 1985, Robb Thomas, the 3rd generation of the Thomas family became General Manager of both WJAG & KEXL.

• 2007

  October of 2007, former station sales manager Brad Hughes was named General Manager/Vice President.  Sally Lewis named General Sales Manager.

• 2008

  WJAG-FM (105.9) began broadcasting, becoming one of the first 24 hour FM’s for a daytime only AM.  And the state’s first fiber optic delivered stations.

• 2009

  In November 2009, KEXL moved from 106.7 to 97.5 and became LiteRock 97.5

  December of 2009, KQKX/106 KIX took to the air as a 24 hour Country Music Station.

• 2014

  WJAG became an affiliate for the Kansas City baseball team.

• 2015

  Jeffrey Steffen named General Manager, replacing Bradley Hughes.