WLAK (AM)

WLAK
Broadcast areaRice Lake, Wisconsin
Frequency1260 kHz
BrandingLake Air Radio
Programming
FormatProgressive talk
AffiliationsABC News Radio
Wisconsin Badgers
Ownership
Owner
  • Sage Weil
  • (Civic Media, Inc.)
WBZH, WEZY
History
First air date
January 23, 1978 (1978-01-23)[1]
Former call signs
WXCE (1976–2023)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID47079
ClassB
Power5,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
45°15′25.00″N 92°22′0.00″W / 45.2569444°N 92.3666667°W / 45.2569444; -92.3666667
Translator(s)107.5 W298DK (Amery)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitelakeair.radio

WLAK (1260 kHz) is an AM radio station established in 1978. The station is licensed to serve Amery, Wisconsin, United States. The station is owned by Sage Weil, through licensee Civic Media, Inc.[3]

WLAK has an FM translator on the frequency of 107.5 MHz.[4]

On April 28, 2020, the then-WXCE changed its format to active rock, simulcasting WXNK 940 AM Shell Lake.[5]

In 2021, WXCE switched from a WXNK simulcast to a simulcast of Soft AC formatted FM sister station WZEZ. [6]

On November 11, 2021, WXCE went silent.[7]

In September 2022, WXCE returned on the air as a progressive talk format branded as "Lake Air Radio", operated by Civic Media under a time brokerage agreement; Civic Media was in the process of acquiring the station and its translator, along with two sister stations.[8] The purchase was consummated on December 29, 2022 at a price of $700,000. Effective January 29, 2023, the new owners changed the station's call sign to WLAK.

  1. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-489. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WLAK". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "WLAK Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  4. ^ "Federal Communications Commission -- FM Query Results".
  5. ^ ""Ink" Expands in Northwestern Wisconsin". NorthPine: Upper Midwest Broadcasting. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  6. ^ Changes in Albertville, Langdon, Milbank, Amery, and Sturgeon Bay Northpine.com - October 28, 2021
  7. ^ FCC Monitor: KLBB Update, New FM in Minn., Wis. AM Goes Silent Northpine.com - November 21, 2021
  8. ^ "Civic Media Acquires Green Bay/Appleton Pair; Launches Two More Liberal Talkers Across Wisconsin". RadioInsight. Retrieved 2022-09-23.