The station was previously owned by Care Broadcasting, and held the callsign KHGN from the time it came on the air in 1998[1] until July 2010.[2] The station was initially known as "The Heartland's Good News Station", and primarily aired Christian talk and teaching programming as an affiliate of Moody Broadcasting Network.[5] KHGN became an affiliate of Spirit FM in March 2007,[6] and was sold to Lake Area Educational Broadcasting Foundation on April 22, 2010.[7] On July 27, 2010, the station's call sign was changed to KVSR.[2]
Effective July 5, 2023, Lake Area Educational Broadcasting Foundation sold KVSR, fourteen sister stations, eight translators, and six construction permits to the University of Northwestern – St. Paul for $1.25 million.