Todd Young Celebrates WOWO Radio's Centenary: The Voice of the Midwest

A Century of Broadcasting

• 📻 WOWO Radio, the "Voice of the Midwest," began broadcasting on March 31st, 1925, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, initially at 500 watts on 1320 AM.
• 💡 Despite changes in studio location, wattage, and the media landscape, WOWO has remained a constant for Hoosiers for a century.

Community and Culture

• 🏘️ WOWO is described as the community's radio station, deeply loved and supported by its listeners for 100 years.
• 🎶 During the Great Depression, the station became a hub for country music, offering an escape from hard times.
• 📰 Following Pearl Harbor, WOWO provided crucial war updates to families of soldiers fighting overseas.

Iconic Moments and Personalities

• ⚠️ The station's reporting during significant events, from the blizzard of 1978 to the moon landing and the Challenger disaster, is remembered by listeners.
• 🍳 Innovative programs like the "Modern Home Forum" offered cooking lessons, while sports broadcasts brought communities together.
• 🐶 WOWO has historically helped the community, whether by assisting in finding lost pets or supporting those in need through initiatives like the Penny Pitch.
• 🎤 Legendary personalities such as Bob Chase, Charlie Butcher, Pat Miller, and Caleb Blakesley have been trusted voices for generations.

The WOWO Legacy

• 📞 Even in modern times, with news breaking globally, families still turn to WOWO, whether on their radio or phones, demonstrating its enduring relevance.
• 🌟 The call sign WOWO, initially chosen for its catchiness and location designation, later became associated with "Wayne offers wonderful opportunities," embodying the station's spirit.
• 🚀 Senator Todd Young expressed confidence that WOWO will continue to be an important part of Northeast Indiana's fabric for another 100 years.