A Big Moment for Local Radio: RockIt 102.5 Becomes KLOE

If you were tuned in at 1:02 PM MST on Monday, January 26, you felt it. The clicks. The countdown. The anticipation. After days of teasing, NWKS Radio finally pulled the curtain back on a major announcement—live, local, and full of meaning.

Right at 1:00 PM, a countdown clicker fired up on RockIt 102.5, counting down to something big. When the final click landed at 1:02, General Manager Chad Jones made the announcement live from the RockIt 102.5 studios in Goodland, joined by a familiar and legendary voice in the region: Marty Melia.

Honoring the Past, While Moving Forward

The moment carried extra weight. Just over a month ago, the iconic 730 AM KLOE tower was lost--a devastating blow to a station with nearly eight decades of history. For many in northwest Kansas, eastern Colorado, and southwest Nebraska, KLOE wasn’t just a radio station. It was family.

Marty Melia shared that connection firsthand. He recalled standing at the base of the KLOE tower for the first time when he was just five years old--more than 60 years ago. That tower, and the voices that came through it, helped define how generations learned about their towns, their schools, their weather, and their neighbors.

From its beginnings in late 1947, KLOE was known for serious news coverage, trusted weather, local sports, and even live performers in the earliest days--before records became the norm. Small-town radio was booming in that post-war era, and KLOE helped shape the region’s identity.

When the tower fell, the team at NWKS Radio knew one thing immediately: The KLOE name could not disappear with it.

The Big Announcement at 1:02

And so, the announcement was made:

👉 As of 1:02 PM on January 26, RockIt 102.5 is now officially RockIt 102.5 KLOE.

The call letters have changed from KKCI to KLOE, ensuring that the legendary name lives on—this time on FM.

The FCC approval was granted quickly, driven by the urgency to preserve a name deeply tied to the community and the region. While the AM signal may be gone for now, KLOE is very much alive.

What’s Changing—and What’s Not

Let’s clear this up:

• 🎶 The music stays the exact same on RockIt 102.5

• 📻 The station is still live and local from Goodland

• 🟡 The logo has been updated, featuring the KLOE call letters and a new yellow/gold color, a nod to heritage and legacy

• ❤️ The commitment to over-the-air radio, streaming, apps, and local service remains stronger than ever

  
  

This isn’t about going backward—it’s about carrying history forward.

Looking Ahead

During the conversation, Chad Jones emphasized that NWKS Radio isn’t slowing down. The Goodland studios are home to four stations, with continued investment in facilities, people, and local coverage. New additions to the news department are coming soon, and community involvement remains front and center.

Yes, radio continues to evolve. Streaming, apps, smart speakers—it’s all part of today’s world. But NWKS Radio remains committed to what built KLOE in the first place: local voices, local stories, and local connection.

A Name That Still Matters

For many listeners, hearing “KLOE” again—this time on FM—just feels right. It’s easier to say. Easier to remember. And most importantly, it keeps a legendary call sign right where it belongs: serving northwest Kansas and beyond.

So if you missed it live, here it is again:

RockIt 102.5 is now RockIt 102.5 KLOE Goodland. Same music. New look. Deep roots.

And the story? It’s far from over. 🎙️💛