WLRS (AM)

WLRS
New Albany, Indiana;
Broadcast area	Louisville metropolitan area
Frequency	1570 kHz
Branding	Pure Radio
Programming
Format	Christian preaching
Ownership
Owner	New Albany Broadcasting Co., Inc.
Operator	Pure Media Ministries, Inc.
Sister stations	WLUE, WLRT
History
First air date	June 15, 1949; 75 years ago (as WLRP)
Former call signs	WLRP; WOWI; WHEL (1949–1978); WOBS (1978–1992); WZCC (1992–1995); WXLN (1995–2003); WLBJ (2003–2005); WWSZ (2005–2008); WNDA (2008–2016)
Call sign meaning	W La PodeRoSa (previous branding)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	14553
Class	B
Power	1,500 watts day; 233 watts night
Transmitter coordinates	38°19′40.00″N 85°46′56.00″W / 38.3277778°N 85.7822222°W
Translator(s)	92.5 W223DK (Louisville, Kentucky)
Repeater(s)	106.9 WVEZ-HD2 (St. Matthews, Kentucky)
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	pureradio.org

WLRS (1570 kHz, "Pure Radio") is a commercial AM radio station broadcasting a Christian preaching radio format.^[2] Licensed to New Albany, Indiana, it serves the Louisville metropolitan area. It is owned by New Albany Broadcasting Co., Inc. and operated by Pure Media Ministries, Inc.^[3]

By day, WLRS is powered at 1,500 watts. But 1570 AM is a clear channel frequency. So at night, to avoid interference with other stations, it reduces power to 233 watts. WLRS uses a non-directional antenna. The transmitter is on Diamond Place at Potters Lane in Clarksville, Indiana.^[4] Programming is also heard on 250-watt FM translator W223DK at 92.5 MHz in Louisville.^[5]

History

The station signed on the air on June 15, 1949; 75 years ago (1949-06-15). The original call letters were WLRP. It went through multiple format changes and call signs during its history. This station is where former NPR news host and Sirius XM talk host Bob Edwards began his broadcast career in 1968.^[6]^[7]

In 2008, it became WNDA. On September 26, 2011, WNDA changed its format to talk radio, branded as "NewsTalk 1570".

On May 25, 2015, WNDA flipped its format to Spanish-language contemporary hits, branded as "La Poderosa" ("The Powerful One" in Spanish).

On June 3, 2016, WNDA changed its call letters to WLRS.

As of July 2024, WLRS changed its format to Christian preaching under the branding "Pure Radio" and under the operation of Pure Radio Ministries, Inc.