Hometown Broadcasting of Albert Lea announced it has handed over the keys to KQPR and KQAQ to law enforcement officials in the interest of public safety.

After a near-disaster involving a hazardous materials incident that resulted in an evacuation and a violent bout with Mother Nature that caused much devastation in Freeborn County, Hometown Broadcasting is making the broadcast facilities available to law enforcement personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hometown Broadcasting has made the commitment to public safety by ensuring that KQPR, 96.1 FM and KQAQ, 970 AM can, and will, stay on the air in times of emergency. The stations both have back up generators at the transmitter site, as well as the main studios located in Albert Lea.

Hometown Broadcasting has also instituted new technologies that will allow law enforcement officials easy access to get messages of importance on the air in the fastest way possible therefore ensuring public safety and the easy flow of official pertinent information. As always, the stations’ team of storm professionals will continue to provide storm coverage that is now simulcast on both AM and FM stations in severe weather conditions. In the event of the most devastating tragedies, law enforcement now has the ability to make disaster announcements when absolutely necessary.

Comments and questions about the station, coverage, and law enforcement access can be fielded by owner Greg Jensen at 507-383-1067, Program Director Ron Hunter at 507-383-8152, or General Manager Anna Rahn at 507-373-9600.

KQAQ is a 5,000-watt AM signal covering parts of three states, and penetrating 19 counties.

KQPR is a 25,000-watt FM signal with a range of well over 60 miles from Albert Lea.