Fort Wayne's Morning News

In 2025. WOWO Radio celebrated 100 years of broadcasting excellence while continuing to serve Northeast Indiana with innovative programming, major community outreach, and first-class live events. The station’s WOWO 100 celebration generated both audience engagement and new revenue opportunities through specialty programming, commemorative promotions, and memorable jingles that listeners continue to praise. WOWO’s 78th Annual Penny Pitch campaign exceeded expectations by raising $140,692 for Breastie Boxes. The campaign successfully transitioned into WOWO’s new state-of-the-art facility while expanding audience participation through the sold-out Penny Pitch N’ Putt event and the highly successful Penny Pitch gas pump promotion, which raised $4,490 in just three hours. WOWO also demonstrated major-market execution by hosting nationally syndicated personalities Glenn Beck, Clay Travis, and Buck Sexton in back-to-back weeks. Events included live broadcasts, audience experiences with more than 250 attendees combined, and livestreams viewed worldwide.  With a weekly CUME audience of 54,000 listeners, WOWO continued delivering market-leading programming, audience engagement, and community service throughout its historic centennial year. ​

Kayla Blakeslee hosts Fort Wayne’s Morning News from 5AM-9AM on WOWO, one of America’s most historic radio stations, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025! Blakeslee expanded WOWO’s audience reach far beyond traditional radio through streaming, podcasts, social media, video and events. For example, FWMN reached nearly 33,000 weekly terrestrial listeners in FALL 2025 morning drive according to Nielsen, while FWMN’s stream generated more than 35,000 weekly listening sessions and over 26,000 hours of weekly streaming consumption. Her social media platforms consistently generated millions of views and thousands of engagements, helping connect local news and civic conversations with multiple audiences. Throughout 2025, Blakeslee covered major political and civic discussions, including debates and exclusive interviews with local, state, and national leaders. She also helped lead WOWO’s local centennial events featuring Glenn Beck, Clay Travis, and Buck Sexton, while supporting America’s 250th planning efforts for 2026. Blakeslee also spearheaded WOWO’s 78th annual Penny Pitch radiothon, raising more than $140,000 for a local nonprofit, while supporting Teddy Bear Patrol efforts, collecting hundreds of stuffed animals for children at emergency scenes. As she approaches her 15th year with WOWO, Blakeslee continues to demonstrate a long-term commitment to local journalism, community storytelling, and civic engagement.     

For more than a century, WOWO Radio has remained one of America’s most recognized and respected radio stations. Founded in 1925, WOWO continues to combine heritage broadcasting with innovative programming, award-winning news coverage, and unmatched community service. In 2025, WOWO celebrated 100 years on the air while continuing to expand its statewide and national presence.  The station broadcasted live from the U.S. Capitol to help kick off America’s 250th Birthday celebration. WOWO also recently opened a state-of-the-art broadcasting facility, hosting nationally syndicated broadcasters including Glenn Beck and Clay Travis & Buck Sexton. WOWO’s legacy has been shaped by legendary broadcasters including Hall of Famers Bob Sievers and Bob Chase, whose influence helped define generations of radio excellence. WOWO also continued its commitment to Northeast Indiana through 78 years of the Penny Pitch campaign. Over the past decade alone, Penny Pitch has raised more than $1 million supporting organizations including Shepherd’s House, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana, Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, and Breastie Boxes. WOWO has earned multiple NAB Marconi Radio Awards, including 2014 and 2022 Medium Market Station of the Year.