completed on August 8, 2013. Two months after the sale, several radio employees were laid off as part of general cutbacks by Sinclair at most of the stations they acquired from Fisher. On June 3, 2021, Sinclair announced they would sell KOMO-AM-FM, KVI, and KPLZ to Lotus Communications for $18 million. Of the $18 million, $5 million was in cash paid at closing; the remainder was Lotus' choice of either cash or advertising for Sinclair properties on Lotus' stations. Sinclair retained KOMO-TV, as well as rights to the KOMO call letters. Lotus and Sinclair also agreed to allow Lotus to use Sinclair equipment and IT systems, including sub-leasing the current KOMO studios, for 18 months following the sale; with it, KOMO-TV and KOMO-AM-FM were separated after 68 years. The sale was completed on September 28, 2021. As required by the terms of the sale, KOMO's call sign was changed to KNWN (for "Northwest News") on February 2, 2022. The KNWN call sign is solely used for hourly station identifications, with the station primarily branding itself as "Northwest News Radio". Program director and afternoon co-anchor Rick Van Cise told the Seattle Times that there would be no programming changes accompanying the rebranding, and that KNWN would maintain its partnership with KOMO-TV. During the week preceding the relaunch, competitor KIRO-FM began promoting itself as "Your Northwest News Station". Marketing slogans Early 1970s: "From the Olympics to the Cascades, from Vancouver (B.C., Canada) to Vancouver (Washington), this is KOMO Radio 1000!" (also) "You're in KOMO Country". Slogan was used with a heavily orchestrated instrumental jingle package from a Canadian studio. The package was called "Big Timber", and was commissioned exclusively for KOMO. Early 1980s: "A taste of what you're living for, KOMO AM 1000, Seattle!" Early 1990s: "The station you depend on!" 2002–2005, 2006-2007: "First For Local News, Traffic and Weather." Similar to KOMO-TV's past slogan of "First 4 Local News." 2005–2006: "The commuter's best friend." 2007–2009: "The Northwest's News, Traffic and Weather Station." 2009–2014: "Everything you need to know." 2011–2012: "Western Washington's News, Traffic and Weather Station." 2012–2014: "What happens next, happens here." 2014–present: "Stay connected. Stay informed." 2016–2022: "Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay on time." Logos References External links FCC History Cards for KJR (covering KOMO 1927–1944, KJR 1944–1980) FCC History Cards for KNWN (covering KJR 1927–1944, KOMO 1944–1981) NWN All-news radio stations in the United States Radio stations established in