Sage Weil has built a network of liberal-leaning Talk stations across the state of Wisconsin, and in late November 2024 agreed to purchase an FM licensed to Hayward, Wisc., from a licensee led by Mike Oberg.
Now, Weil and Oberg have an agreement in place that expands Weil’s Civic Media to the land of 10,000 lakes.
Zoe Communications, led by Oberg, is selling to Civic Media the presently-dark WELY-AM 1450 in Ely, Minn. — a 770-watt Class C facility — and 6kw Class A WELY-FM 94.5 in Ely.
The stations have been largely silent since December 2022, when Zoe took on ownership of the pair. Now, the stations are poised to join a growing company focused on progressive-leaning talk programming.
A $70,000 purchase price has been agreed to by the parties, with a $20,000 escrow payment already made by Civic Media.
Ely, Minn., is a village known for its wildlife retreats, accessible only by Voyaguer Highway or by air. It is 85 miles from Duluth, and as of today the lone commercially licensed FM radio station easily heard in Ely is WEVE-FM in Eveleth, Minn., serving Hibbing and owned by Midwest Communications.
