Missouri Storm Cripples Part of 'TNT Empire'

The sleet and ice storm that pounded parts of Missouri Friday through Sunday is having a trickle-down effect on Omaha radio station KEZO (92.3 FM).

Springfield radio station KZRQ (106.7 FM) is one of two affiliate stations in "Todd and Tyler's Radio Empire."

"The Ozark's Pure Rock" station only regained power to its building and studios Wednesday morning.

"However, we still do not have power to our transmitter," said Journal Broadcast Group Director of Radio Programming Tom Land. "We are working on this, but much of the market is in the same situation."

Land said he is hopeful that the station will be back on the air by Thursday.

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt said he believes Springfield is the hardest hit city in the state. As of Tuesday night, more than 35,000 utility customers remained without power and about 400 members of the Missouri National Guard were called in to work on removing debris and going house to house to check on people.

"The ice storm has crippled that community far more than you'll see or hear on national TV or radio broadcasts," Land said.