Boise State Public Radio is expanding its broadcast reach in Idaho, with the acquisition of KLCZ in north Idaho and K298BE in east Idaho.
North Idaho
In mid-October 2022 Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) in Lewiston turned over its 88.9 FM broadcast frequency KCLZ to Boise State Public Radio.
The decision to transfer the license began early in the year and was approved by the State Board of Education. LC State no longer could support the broadcast service. It is migrating its student-run broadcasts online, where it has a growing listener base.
LC State had approached all the institutions of higher education in Idaho, and Boise State University was able and willing to accept the transfer. Rather than 88.9 FM going off the air, LC State worked with its Boise State partner and the FCC to make the change. Today KLCZ broadcasts news from Boise State Public Radio and NPR.
“We commend Lewis Clark State College for ensuring that public media remains in Lewiston on 88.9 FM,” said BSPR general manager Tom Michael. “We are eager to expand our statewide reporting in North Idaho.”
LC State students will be transitioning from KLCZ.com to LCWarriorRadio.com in the coming weeks for their online broadcasts. They will continue their current free-form music format and spotlight campus and community news, talk, weather and sports.
The owner previous to Lewis Clark State College was Lewiston High School, which transferred the non-commercial station to the college in 2005.
Eastern Idaho
In October KUER in Salt Lake City, Utah, transferred the broadcast responsibilities of their radio translator at 107.5 FM in Pocatello to Boise State Public Radio. The facility, on Kinport Peak outside the city, broadcasts as K298BE.
“This change has been in the works for some time,” wrote Maria O’Mara in a message to listeners. “The distance between Salt Lake City and Pocatello has made it difficult to keep the signal on year-round.”
Seeking “a better steward,” they began the transfer of the license to Boise State Public Radio, which is programming it as a music station. Today at 107.5 FM, eastern Idaho listeners can hear classical music on the weekday and eclectic music programming in the evenings and on Saturday. News listeners can find NPR on neighboring KISU at 91.1 FM.