From atop the U.S. Grant Hotel, a voice crackled to life. It was 1925, and KFWV, soon to be KOGO, broadcast its first tentative notes into the San Diego air. KOGO, a name chosen decades later by an IBM computer, became synonymous with news and talk radio in Southern California. Imagine yourself standing here today, near the station’s current home in Kearny Mesa. You might picture the two-tower array off 60th Street, sending KOGO’s powerful signal across the border into Mexico and up the coast to Santa Barbara. KOGO isn’t just a station; it’s a lifeline. Its wide reach made it a primary Emergency Alert System station, a beacon of information during crises like the 2007 California wildfires. Back then, KOGO dropped all commercials, simulcasting vital updates across numerous San Diego stations and even on XM Satellite Radio. From its early days as KFSD, “First in San Diego,” the station has evolved. It’s been home to NBC Red Network programs, a soft AC station known as KLZZ, and even a Top 40 powerhouse as KKLQ. But through it all, KOGO has returned to its core mission: delivering news and talk to the San Diego community. Today, you can tune in to hear voices like Ted Garcia, Veronica Carter, and Mike Slater discussing local and national issues. Or maybe you’ll catch a syndicated show like The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. KOGO’s history echoes San Diego’s own story: a blend of tradition and innovation, constantly evolving yet always connected to its roots.
Sweetwater River
From high in the Cuyamaca Mountains, the Sweetwater River begins its journey. It’s a 55-mile trek to the Pacific, a