WELY expands FM reach; becomes key source of wildfire updates

ELY- Terri Pylka was expecting a slow week of technical troubleshooting.
Pylka (pictured at right) runs WELY, which broadcasts on 1450 AM with an FM translator at 103.9 FM.
On Monday, July 13, a team from Civic Media, a Wisconsin-based company that invests in local radio stations across the Midwest, arrived to help WELY begin broadcasting on a new FM frequency, 94.5 FM. The plan was for 1450 AM and 94.5 FM to operate as separate stations with different programming, both under WELY.
Then the fires intensified.
Pylka said the new signal immediately proved valuable. Broadcasting at 35,000 watts, 94.5 FM reaches communities from Eveleth to Cook, allowing WELY to provide real-time updates on the fires to a much larger audience.
“The power of local community radio is vital,” she said.
The team rushed into action as they spent that week gearing up their coverage. On that Monday afternoon, WELY established a simulcast between 1450 AM and 94.5 FM. From Tuesday through Thursday, the station provided continuous wildfire coverage, broadcasting real-time updates on fire conditions from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and continuing coverage into Friday and the weekend.
“We were talking maps, ready, set, go zones,” Pylka said.
The station fielded a steady stream of phone calls and text messages from listeners. Pylka recalled helping a group exiting the Boundary Waters determine how far the Bear Trap Fire had spread.
WELY also organized a water and Gatorade drive for local fire departments.
Pylka said she was especially grateful for Civic Media’s Chief Operating Officer Kory Hartman, who helped make the rapid transition possible.
Now, the station is preparing to separate its broadcasts as originally planned. 1450 AM will continue its current lineup, including Craig Loughery’s “Trader Craig” program, Cole Kellogg’s local sports coverage, and Ron Forsman’s polka show. Todd Crego will also assist with production on a part-time basis.
Pylka said the programming schedule for 94.5 FM will be finalized and launched once wildfire coverage winds down. The station will feature “music for everybody,” along with several legacy programs currently heard on 1450 AM. She said she hopes the new station will eventually offer a wide variety of local programming.
Listeners can tune in to 94.5 FM, 1450 AM or on the civic media app.