| KLRE FM 90.5 went on the air in 1973, licensed to the Little Rock Public School District. The station's task in the '70s was to provide minimal programming and community services. The station broadcast at 3,600 watts of power and was only on-air during school hours.
With significant support from the Friends of KLRE, the station increased power more than 1000%, tripled the number of broadcast hours and increased the quality and scope of its programming through affiliation with National Public Radio (NPR).
In the late 1970's, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock began working toward a 100,000 watt public radio station.
In 1986, officials of UALR and The Little Rock School District merged the two stations, broadcasting identical programming.
In April 1988, KLRE FM 90.5 and KUAR 89.1 began broadcasting separate program services. The merger of KLRE and KUAR is unprecedented in public radio: The operation of the two stations co-licensed to two institutions.
In 1992, KUAR expanded operation with translators rebroadcasting its signal in Hope, Forrest City, Monticello and Batesville.
In 1995, Little Rock School District left and UALR became sole licensee of the stations. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences became a partner in a new relationship with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to support the stations.
The Board of Directors of the Friends became a community advisory board for the stations.
Complete Timeline of KLRE and KUAR
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