You’re driving through the Washoe Valley, the wind is kicking up off the Sierras, and the digital display on your dashboard flickers. You could stream a podcast. You could shuffle a playlist you've heard a thousand times. But if you’re from around here, you probably just hit that preset for News Talk 780 KOH. It’s a reflex.
Radio is supposed to be dead, right? That’s what the "experts" in New York and Silicon Valley have been saying for a decade. They’re wrong. Especially in Reno.
KKOH—which most of us just call KOH—isn't just a frequency on the AM dial. It is a 50,000-watt blowtorch that covers Northern Nevada like a blanket. It’s the station that tells you when the I-80 is shut down at Donner Pass and which way the political winds are blowing in Carson City. It’s old school. It’s loud. And frankly, it’s one of the few places left where the local conversation actually feels, well, local.
The Massive Reach of a 50,000-Watt Signal
Let’s talk about that power for a second because it matters. Most radio stations are local "peashooters." They fade out before you even get to Fernley. News Talk 780 KOH is a Class A clear-channel station. That means it has a massive footprint. During the day, the signal reaches deep into California and north into Oregon. At night? People have picked up KOH in Western Canada and as far south as Mexico.
It’s a legacy thing.
Back in the day, the FCC granted these high-power licenses so that people in rural areas could get news and emergency info. In a state like Nevada, where there is a whole lot of "nothing" between towns, that signal is a lifeline. If you’re a rancher out near Winnemucca, you aren't checking a 5G feed for the weather. You’re listening to the 780 signal.
Why the Lineup Actually Works
The station is owned by Cumulus Media now, which means you get the big national heavyweights. You know the names. Mark Levin. Ben Shapiro. Dan Bongino. It’s a conservative-leaning powerhouse, and they don’t hide it. If you’re looking for a neutral, "both sides of the aisle" afternoon tea, you’ve probably got the wrong preset.
But here is the secret sauce: the local guys.
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The Morning News with Ross and Monica is where Reno wakes up. It isn't just national headlines; it’s about the school board meeting that went off the rails or the new development threatening to clog up South Meadows Parkway. They’ve been at it forever. That consistency creates a level of trust you can’t buy with an algorithm.
Then you have someone like Dan Mason. He’s been a fixture. When you listen to local talk on KOH, you’re hearing people who actually live in the 775. They shop at the same Raley’s you do. They deal with the same "Orange Cone Season" construction nightmares. That local flavor keeps the station from feeling like a generic satellite feed beamed in from a bunker in Nashville.
The Evolution of the AM Dial
AM radio has been under fire. Some car manufacturers—looking at you, Tesla and Ford—tried to pull AM tuners out of their electric vehicles. They claimed the motors caused too much electromagnetic interference.
The backlash was swift.
FEMA and other emergency agencies stepped in, reminding everyone that AM radio is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System. If the grid goes down and the cell towers fry, News Talk 780 KOH is still going to be there. It’s rugged tech. It works when the fancy stuff fails. Fortunately, Congress moved toward protecting AM radio in cars, ensuring that legacy stations like KOH don't get silenced by tech "progress."
More Than Just Politics
While politics is the bread and butter, KOH handles the "bread and butter" of daily life too. Weather and traffic. In Northern Nevada, weather isn't just small talk; it's a survival metric. When a "Pineapple Express" atmospheric river hits the Sierras, you need to know if the Truckee River is going to crest.
KOH works closely with meteorologists who understand the weird micro-climates of the high desert. They understand that it can be 60 degrees in Reno and a blizzard in Incline Village.
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- Traffic updates: They use real-time data but add that local context (like avoiding the "Spaghetti Bowl" during rush hour).
- Emergency alerts: They are the primary entry point for emergency broadcasts in the region.
- Local Sports: They’ve historically been the home for Nevada Wolf Pack fans who want to hear the game while they’re out in the garage or driving to the lake.
The Digital Shift: How They’re Staying Relevant
Look, the 780 AM signal is the flagship, but they aren't stuck in 1955. They’ve moved into the streaming world. You can listen on the app, through a smart speaker, or via their website. This is how they’ve managed to keep their audience as Reno grows.
The "New Reno"—the one filled with Tesla Gigafactory employees and Bay Area transplants—isn't necessarily carrying around a battery-powered transistor radio. They’re streaming. By putting their content on digital platforms, KOH has managed to bridge the gap between the "Old Nevada" crowd and the newcomers.
What People Get Wrong About Talk Radio
A lot of people think talk radio is just for "angry old men." If you actually look at the demographics of a station like News Talk 780 KOH, it’s a lot broader than you’d think. It’s small business owners who have the radio on in the shop all day. It’s commuters who want to be productive during a 40-minute crawl. It’s people who are tired of the sanitized, overly polished feel of modern corporate media.
There’s a raw quality to live radio. People call in. They get heated. They disagree. It’s messy, and it’s human. In a world of AI-generated content and perfectly curated social media feeds, that messiness is actually a selling point.
Navigating the Noise: Actionable Insights for Listeners
If you’re new to the Reno area or just rediscovering the AM dial, here is how to get the most out of the station without getting overwhelmed by the 24/7 news cycle.
1. Timing is everything.
Tune in between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM for the most concentrated dose of local news. This is when the "Need to Know" info happens. If you want deep-dive national politics, the afternoon block is your best bet.
2. Use the App for "Donner Pass" Insurance.
If you’re heading over the hill toward Sacramento, the AM signal is great, but the streaming app is clearer when you’re deep in the canyons. It’s a literal lifesaver for checking chain requirements and road closures.
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3. Engage, don't just consume.
The station lives on caller participation. If you’ve got a perspective on a local issue, call the studio line. It’s one of the few places left where a regular citizen can air a grievance and have thousands of people hear it instantly.
4. Check the "Best Of" Podcasts.
Can't sit through four hours of a show? Most of the local segments are clipped and uploaded as podcasts. It’s the easiest way to stay informed about Washoe County politics on your own schedule.
5. Diversify your feed.
KOH is a specific viewpoint. To get a full picture of the Reno landscape, mix your listening with local independent sources or even the public radio affiliate (KUNR) for a different pace.
The Future of News Talk 780 KOH
The landscape of Reno is changing. The dirt lots are becoming luxury condos. The casinos are competing with tech hubs. Through all of that, the 50,000-watt transmitter out in the valley keeps humming along.
As long as people in Nevada care about their property taxes, their commute, and their right to know what’s happening in the halls of power, there will be a place for News Talk 780 KOH. It isn't just about the news. It’s about the connection to the place we call home. Whether you love the commentary or just need to know if it’s going to snow tomorrow, that 780 spot on the dial remains a fundamental part of the Northern Nevada experience.
Stay Informed on the Go
To keep up with the latest developments in Reno and beyond, download the official KKOH app or set a shortcut on your phone’s browser to their live stream. If you’re a local business owner, consider attending their occasional community events or "live remotes" to see how the station operates behind the scenes. For immediate traffic and weather, keep the 780 AM frequency programmed as your primary preset; it’s the most reliable way to stay connected when the weather turns and cell service gets spotty in the high desert.