ward off competitors trying to knock off KQRS, its station with the largest audience in the market and the company's local cash cow. KQRS had been programmed by award-winning programming veteran (and former DJ) David Hamilton for over 25 years, until his retirement in December 2012. At that time, Cumulus appointed WZGC (Atlanta) Program Director Scott Jameson, who exited in January 2020. The KQRS airstaff is live and local 24 hours a day and has remained unusually consistent for years as well, with most staffers there for 10 years or more. Tom Barnard had hosted the long-running morning show before retiring on December 23 2022. The KQ Morning show is now hosted by Steve Gorman (former drummer of the Black Crowes) Tony Lee, Brian Zepp and Candice Wheeler. Woody hosts middays 10am-3pm and Lisa Miller does the afternoon drive from 3pm-7pm. KQ's Weekend airstaff includes: Chris Nelson, James and Jordan. In May 2005, KQRS began offering podcasts of the morning show through the station's website. On June 1, 2007, Citadel Broadcasting closed on its purchase of ABC Radio, acquiring KQRS. KDIZ, the former KQRS 1440, was retained by Disney. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011. KQRS-HD2 KQRS began broadcasting an HD signal in 2007, with an HD simulcast of the station's main analog signal. The station ran a classic country format branded as "The Bear" on its HD2 signal, but was taken off air December 31, 2014 alongside the HD simulcast of the analog on HD1. The HD simulcast of the KQRS analog signal in digital returned full-time on December 31, 2016 at 9:30pm. "The Bear" returned to KQRS-HD2 on June 27, 2018 offering a format of classic country and solid gold country hits from the early 60s into the early-mid 2000's. In January 2023 both KQRS-HD1 and The Bear have been removed. Pop culture In the 1996 Christmas-themed movie Jingle All the Way, the character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger calls KQRS during a contest in an effort to win a rare toy doll for his child. He gets through and answers the question correctly but finds out that he only won a gift certificate. The film is set in and was shot in the Twin Cities. References Historical reference to KEYD-AM and TV, Pavek Museum Of Broadcasting Broadcasting Yearbooks 1948-1964 Internet Archive February 2, 2001 showing new station address External links KQRS official website KQRS Streaming