The ''92 KQRS Morning Show'' (also known as the KQ Morning Crew) is a popular, long-running radio morning show originating from
KQRS-FM in
Minneapolis
Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...
,
Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
. It is currently hosted by
Tom Barnard
Thomas 'Tom' Mark Paul Barnard (born November 7, 1951) is an American talk radio host and former voice-over talent. He retired as the host of '' The KQ92 Morning Show'' on 92 KQRS but currently hosts Tom Barnard Show on 105 The Ticket from 6:0 ...
, and features several other regular personalities. It is also one of the highest-rated local morning shows in America.
Controversy
Asian-Americans
On June 9, 1998, Barnard was reading a news item about a Hmong girl that had killed her newborn son. The crew made several derisive remarks; in particular, Barnard stated that Hmongs should "assimilate or hit the goddamn road" and, in response to his reading of the
$10,000 fine levied against the girl, "That's a lot of
egg rolls." KQRS weathered protests from the Asian-American community and eventually issued a public apology in addition to making several PR-building concessions to the community. In a related concession, Tony Lee's stereotypical character "Tak" and his segment, "A Talk with Tak" was removed from the show.
Native Americans
In September 2007, Terri and Tom made comments about the Minnesota
Chippewa and
Sioux
The Sioux or Oceti Sakowin (; Dakota language, Dakota: Help:IPA, /otʃʰeːtʰi ʃakoːwĩ/) are groups of Native Americans in the United States, Native American tribes and First Nations in Canada, First Nations peoples in North America. The ...
tribes, respectively, and the American Indian Alliance that raised concerns from the tribes.
[Collins 2007: "The uproar stems from a broadcast last month in which Barnard and Traen talked about the Red Lake and Shakopee tribes while discussing a report by the state Health Department that Beltrami County has the state's highest rate of suicide among young people. The jocks then mentioned Bemidji and the Red Lake Indian Reservation, which are both located in Beltrami County. "Maybe it's genetic; isn't there a lot of incest up there?" Traen said about the tribe. "Not that I know of," Barnard replied. "I think there is," Traen continued. "Don't quote me on that, but I'm pretty sure." "Well, I'm glad you just threw it out there, then," Barnard said to laughter in the background. Barnard also criticized the Shakopee Sioux, who own the Mystic Lake Casino, for "doing a hell of a job helping them out." Traen commented, "They don't give them anything?" "Hell, no!" Barnard replied."] The tribes mounted several protests throughout October, and the station again issued a public apology.
Footnotes
References
*Associated Press (via wire)
KQRS morning show host addresses racial controversy Minnesota Daily, October 21, 1998. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
*Collins, Terry
KQRS remarks upset Indian leaders Star Tribune
The ''Star Tribune'' is the largest newspaper in Minnesota. It originated as the ''Minneapolis Tribune'' in 1867 and the competing ''Minneapolis Daily Star'' in 1920. During the 1930s and 1940s, Minneapolis's competing newspapers were consolida ...
, October 29, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
*Evans, Melanie
'Free speech' wins in KQRS case Minnesota Daily, November 15, 1998. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
*Lambert. Brian
Tommy B: King of All Radio The Rake
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
, October 29, 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
*––
Howard's End St. Paul Pioneer Press
The ''St. Paul Pioneer Press'' is a newspaper based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. It serves the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. Circulation is heaviest in the east metro, including Ramsey County, Minn ...
, April 11, 1999. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
*National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
2006 Large Market Personality of the Year Winner: Tom Barnard, KQRS 2006. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
*Silverstein, Tom
Packer Notes: Favre ponders lawsuit Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, December 4, 1997. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
{{DEFAULTSORT:92 Kqrs Morning Show
Minneapolis–Saint Paul
American radio programs