In 1980, KAWE signed on as the first public television station in Bemidji. However, channel 9 was interfered with by then-independent station KMSP-TV (currently a Fox O&O) in the Twin Cities area (Minneapolis/St. Paul). In 1988, KAWE opened a satellite station in Brainerd: KAWB (channel 22) which expanded KAWE's coverage area. This logo was introduced in October 1979.