Illustration courtesy of Minnesota Public Radio

DULUTH — Listeners of WGGL 91.1 FM Public Radio, a service of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) have not been able to able to hear their favorite Public Radio programming for several months. While it has not gone off air permanently, the radio station is experiencing technical problems.

The station broadcasts locally but is owned and operated by MPR. Maria Isley, MPR Regional Director out of Duluth, MN said, “the issue is due to an antenna failure; we’re currently waiting on the replacement part and coordinating tower access for the repair. We’re hopeful service will be restored within a couple of weeks.”

A statement issued on the Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) website says: “We will return to full power once the work is completed, and the signal is restored. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.”

On June 23, 2025, Upper Midwest Broadcasting’s North Pine reported Minnesota Public Radio’s WGGL-FM/91.1 (Houghton) requested an extension of temporary authority to operate at reduced power after determining that its antenna is damaged. The station had first reported in December that it reduced to 10% of its licensed 100kW ERP due to antenna icing.

The filing states MPR is now “working to acquire the funds that will be needed to replace and install new antennas.” WGGL carries national feeds of public radio programming rather than MPR’s Minnesota networks.

In July, 2025, Congress voted to rescind $1.1 billion in previously allocated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and it was signed into law by President Trump. As of October 1, MPR no longer receives federal funding.

WGGL’s listening area includes all of Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties, and most of Ontonagon County.

MPR could not be reached for comment by telephone by press time.