Flag Family Media adds Grand Rapids station group

Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff
Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff

(Fargo, ND) -- Fargo-based Flag Family Media announced today that it has finalized its purchase of three radio stations in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

The stations, formerly owned by Lamke Broadcasting, will be operated under the newly formed company, Rapids Radio LLC. The group consists of KOZY 1320 AM / 93.1 FM, KMFY 96.9 FM and KBAJ 105.5 FM. The transaction brings the total number of stations under Flag Family Media ownership to five, with the original two in North Dakota (WZFG “The Flag” in Fargo at AM 1100 / FM 92.3 and KTGO “The Flag” in Tioga at AM 1090 and FM 92.7).

“While this certainly is a great step for our company, this day is all about the people of the Grand Rapids area,” says Steve Hallstrom, President and Managing Partner of Flag Family Media. “These stations are as valuable as they are thanks to the great leadership of Jim Lamke, the amazing staff of professionals who work there, and the people of Grand Rapids and the West Range that have supported them. We send our sincere congratulations to Jim and Colleen for having built such a wonderful company and team. As Minnesota natives, Scott and I will work harder than ever to make sure that these stations always make the people of Grand Rapids and the surrounding area proud.”

“My radio career began in small town Minnesota as a 12-year-old part time Sunday morning announcer on KDMA radio,” says Scott Hennen, Vice President and Partner at Flag Family Media. “Small town radio stations are the bedrock of their communities. We look forward to continuing the long history of service that these stations have provided for Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and the surrounding area.”

The stations will continue to broadcast in their current programming formats. A national search is underway for a new General Manager/Sales Manager to replace Jim Lamke, who served in those roles while the stations were under his
ownership.

Terms of the deal are undisclosed.