Photos Provided
General Manager Lindy Waring poses in KELA and KMNT’s office.
By Sigourney Orstad
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce
KELA and KMNT, Centralia-based radio stations with deep roots in the community, continue to blend tradition with innovation.
KELA, Lewis County’s news talk station, first went on the air Nov. 1, 1937. American icon Bing Crosby, a Spokane native and 1940s–50s superstar, was scheduled to attend the grand opening but canceled due to other career commitments. To make up for his absence, Crosby sent a concrete block with his hand and footprints, which still stands at the stations’ entrance today.
Though ownership has changed over the years, Bicoastal Media officially purchased KELA and KMNT from iHeartMedia in 2007. KELA’s signal reaches across Lewis County, while KMNT, a country music station, broadcasts from Raymond to Randle and from Lakewood to Castle Rock.
KELA primarily features nationally syndicated talk radio programs, but both KELA and KMNT are known for their live broadcasts of local high school sports. The stations also air Seattle Mariners and Seahawks games, as well as Washington State University Cougars and University of Washington Huskies matchups.
Operations Manager Ryan Trotter demonstrates his DJ skills in KELA’s
studio.
The stations frequently host live remote broadcasts from local events and businesses. These promotional events include on-site interviews and giveaways to engage the community and support local enterprises.
“Let’s Talk About It,” KELA’s locally hosted morning talk show, airs weekdays and features community guests, discussions about local politics, and coverage of area events.
“The hosts will either bring on guests or they will talk about local politics, what’s happening in the area, or promote community events,” said General Manager Lindy Waring.
KELA and KMNT are committed not only to quality radio entertainment but also to giving back to the community. One such initiative is Meals of Hope, a seasonal campaign that collects food donations for local nonprofit organizations.
“Meals of Hope is something we do around the holidays, but it can also run all year,” Waring said. “We pick a local nonprofit organization that could really benefit from food donations, and we go around and collect food at different businesses through October, November, and December. We also do a big food drive at the end, right before Christmas, and then all that food goes back to that organization.”
The stations also support local students through their involvement in media arts at Centralia High School. Staff volunteer on the school’s media advisory committee and serve as judges for SkillsUSA competitions.
“We try to shed light on these local media programs because Centralia High School students have gone on to state and won some of the competitions,” Waring said. “That to me is so amazing because you don’t hear about that. I got to judge again in January, and that to me is like the coolest thing.”
While Bing Crosby’s concrete footprints serve as a symbol of the stations’ storied past, KELA and KMNT continue to look forward—amplifying local voices, celebrating community achievements, and delivering trusted broadcasts throughout the region.
KELA broadcasts at 1470 AM and KMNT at 104.3 FM.
For more information, visit kelaam.com.
