Tacoma-based public radio KPLU changes call letters to KNKX

TACOMA, Wash. -- The Tacoma-based public radio station KPLU will get a new call letters, after supporters raised enough money to buy the station from Pacific Lutheran University.

The station will be called KNKX, a moniker which beat out other choices submitted by listeners and others during a renaming contest.

The News Tribune says the letters KPLU were not part of the station's sale.

Station general manager Joey Cohn says he liked the new letters and the idea of connections between the station and community and others.

The FCC on Thursday confirmed that the letters KNKX had been officially reserved to replace the station's former name.

KNKX will be used once the group Friends of 88.5 takes over ownership from the university, tentatively Aug. 30.