Listeners from Alaska to Texas to Washington to Kansas to California can tune in to Morris Communications Company's widespread radio stations and networks for news, information and entertainment. Purchases in 1997 and 1998 significantly expanded MCC holdings in radio broadcasting and gave the corporation its first radio presence in the Northwest. The purchase of seven radio stations in Palm Springs, Calif., in late 1997 resulted in what is now Desert Radio Group, which comprises KCLB-AM, KCLB-FM, KCMJ-AM, KKUU-FM, KNWZ-AM, KXPS-AM and KYOR-FM. The 1998 purchase of 13 stations in Alaska and Washington brought the total radio holdings to 24 stations and three networks. The six Alaska stations, all in Anchorage, are KBRJ-FM, KEAG-FM, KFQD-AM, KHAR-AM, KMXS-FM and KWHL-FM. The seven Washington stations are KDUX-FM and KXRO-AM in Aberdeen, KKRT-AM and KKRV-FM in Wenatchee, KVYF-FM in Wilson Creek and KWIQ-AM and KWIQ-FM in Moses Lake. Other radio properties, all of which were acquired with the Stauffer Communications Inc. purchase in 1995, are WIBW-AM and WIBW-FM in Topeka, Kan.; KGNC-AM and KGNC-FM in Amarillo, Texas; and the Kansas Agriculture Network, the Kansas Information Network and the Kansas State University Wildcat Sports Network, all in Topeka. The Morris family added broadcasting to its newspaper holdings in 1956 when it purchased the first licensed radio station in Augusta, Ga., WRDW, along with its companion TV station. That venture was short-lived. The stations were sold in 1960 and it was 35 years before broadcasting again became a part of the company.
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