The FM sister station of longtime Louisburg broadcaster WYRN signed on in 1989 as adult contemporary WHLQ "Q 102.5". The station later switched to country as "Country Q 102.5", simulcasting with the AM side. Owned by Franklin Broadcasting since its sign-on, WHLQ, along with WYRN, was sold to Curtis Media Group, in early 2003 for over $2 million dollars. The station was managed by Billy McClatchey, Curtis' son-in-law, until he assumed ownership of Raleigh's WRBZ in 2004. After Curtis bought the station, it soon began 24-hour operation for the first time in its history and adopted the handle "Country 102". On July 6th, 2004, WHLQ became WKXU, assuming the call letters that moved from Burlington sister station 101.1 FM as it switched to a talk format as WZTK. There is an application before the FCC that would reallocate 102.5 from Louisburg to Hillsborough.