NWA Radio up at the Northwest Angle is On The Air
There is a new radio station in the Lake of the Woods area and it is located at the northernmost point of the contiguous United States with a population of around 100 people. That’s right, it is up at the NW Angle. NWA Radio, founded by Angle resident and current President of the Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Club, Joe Laurin, is a new radio station locals and visitors alike can listen to online and the news content is all about the NW Angle.
The station hit the air in early April. It is online and it’s audience can be around the world, but is designed for about a hundred mile radius of the Angle.
“There is no national news, no politics,” explained founder and explorer Joe Laurin. “Right now, we have the Northwest Angle Life Facebook page. As you know, social media isn’t perfect and I had this idea for a while.”
NWA Radio has already had over 200 listeners at one time. “We have various interviews from time to time of people connected or living in the Angle. So far, we have interviewed Kellie Knight, the granddaughter to Grace Prothero and new owner Prothero’s Post located on the Angle Inlet,” explains Laurin.
“We also interviewed local fishing guide, Lisa Marvin about her experiences and the fishing tournament she founded called Max Multi-Species Fishing Derby in honor of her deceased brother Max Marvin.” The Max Foundation was created with a purpose, To raise funds with the intent to support charitable programs, projects and activities that facilitate mental wellness amongst our youth.
Lake Trails Base Camp, located on Oak Island will be on the show soon and the list of interesting guests and interviews continues.
The news is recorded in about 9 minutes segments. The news in on every day at 9am, noon, 3pm and 6pm and 9pm. It basically had one news segment per day, meaning if you missed the news at 9am, you can catch the same news segment at noon or other times it plays throughout the day.
You might be wondering what kind of local news topics are ongoing up at the Angle? This week. Local resident Michelle Friend is leaving after 30 years and moving to Park Rapids. There is a going away party to honor and say goodbye at Jerry’s Bar on the mainland. Jerry’s will closed for one week. There is a meeting this week about the new Northerly Park near Jim’s Corner that is in the works.
In other news, Kenora has a common ground meeting. There is a fitness class that has started up at the Angle. It takes place at the NW Angle School. Ice is melting quickly and only a few small areas of ice remain. Buoy Bash, tournament, band, golf cart parade. Monkey bars just delivered $6k donation from Key West school. Circle cement pad around buoy vs loose rocks. There is a lot happening up at the Angle!
“This is all new to me,” explains Laurin. “Terms in the radio business like program this on a clock wheel, events and jingles, it’s all new but I feel like I am picking it up quickly.”
Laurin says he has to invest around 3 hours per week. Once it is programmed, it is set.
Those who want to listen can listen two ways, NWAradio.com or live365.com and search NWA.
The radio station airs 24 hours per day. The national anthem is played every night at midnight.
“The music is all upbeat. 20% country, 80% upbeat. Nothing depressing. Veda J and her father, as an example, sing popular songs that we know but are different, but really popular. We have had some really nice comments about the music so far,” Laurin explains with excitement.
From the NWA Radio website…
Welcome to NWA Radio a new station focused on community news. If you are within 60 miles of the Most Northern Point Buoy your in our community.
Northwest Angle News times are 9am, Noon, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm.
Would you like to submit a song to the station? The song must me in MP3 format and something 50% of the listeners would enjoy, no explicit lyrics etc.
Email your MP3 file to nwaradio@wiktel.com
Would you like to advertise your business on the station? Your business or service must be in the LOTW area. You can record your own advertisement or supply the text and we can record your ad for you. For advertising pricing email: nwaradio@wiktel.com
Would you like to have a weekly or monthly show on NWA Radio? Email your ideas to us.
Laurin was asked about the motivation behind NWA Radio? “There wasn’t a central place to share news or info. Social media has failed to keep people really in the know and their algorithms deliver message to some but not everyone. This seemed like a great way to communicate with our community.”
Right now, the NWA Radio is online only. As time goes on, services and options plan to be expanded. In the meantime, give it a listen. Even in the background when you are at your computer, driving in your car or just hanging out making dinner. It is a breath of fresh air in a busy and sometime turbulent world.
