History

A Brief History of KFAI Radio

KFAI, Fresh Air Radio, went on the air at 90.3FM on May 1, 1978, after five years of paperwork and other legal entanglements. The station’s first studios were in the belfry of Walker Community Church and the antenna sent out a mighty 10 watts from the roof of the Seward Co-op.

In 1984, KFAI increased its power to 125 watts and moved its transmitter to the Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis, greatly expanding the coverage area. The station later added a Saint Paul translator at 106.7FM in 1994. Foshay Tower

KFAI moved out of the Walker Community Church in 1986 to new studios above Butler Drug at the intersection of Lake and Bloomington in Minneapolis. In 1991, KFAI moved its studios to its current home in the historic Bailey Building on the West Bank.

2001 saw the dedication of KFAI’s renovated studios. The renovation increased studio space from two working studios to six.

Today, KFAI broadcasts from high atop the IDS building and broadcasts in HD.

Since 1978, KFAI has been the voice of the community. The station has been and continues to be the Twin Cities’ source for adventurous and innovative music, news, arts, and community programs. The history of KFAI lives within the thousands of volunteers that have given their time and the listeners who have tuned in. 

Fin out more about "People Powered Radio: 25 Years of Fresh Air" a documentary produced for KFAI's 25th Anniversary in 2003, by clicking here.