KQDS-FM

{{short description|Radio station in Duluth, Minnesota, United States}}

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}

{{Multiple issues|

{{original research|date=December 2015}}

{{more citations needed|date=December 2015}}

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{{Infobox radio station

| name = KQDS-FM

| logo = KQDS-FM.png

| city = Duluth, Minnesota

| country = US

| area = Duluth-Superior

| branding = 95 KQDS

| frequency = 94.9 MHz

| repeater = {{Radio Relay|106.3|KQDX|Hibbing}}

| airdate = {{start date|1976|4|1}} (as KAOH-FM){{cite book|title=Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999|year=1999|page=D-234|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1999/D-Radio-AL-NE-BC-YB-1999..pdf|format=PDF|access-date=April 20, 2017}}

| format = Classic rock

| erp = 100,000 watts

| haat = {{convert|258|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| class = C1

| facility_id = 65660

| licensing_authority = FCC

| callsign_meaning = "Quality Duluth-Superior" (modeled after KQRS-FM in Minneapolis)

| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KAOH-FM (1976–1980)|KQDS-FM (1980–1981)|KQDS (1981–1988)}}

| affiliations = United Stations Radio Networks

| owner = Duey E. Wright

| licensee = Midwest Communications, Inc.

| sister_stations = {{hlist|KDAL|KDAL-FM|KDKE|KTCO|WDSM|WDUL}}

| webcast = {{listenlive|url=https://95kqds.com/player/?playerID=2548}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.95kqds.com/}}

}}

KQDS-FM (94.9 MHz, "95 KQDS") is a classic rock music formatted radio station located in Duluth, Minnesota. Established in 1976 as KAOH-FM, the station is owned by Midwest Communications, and follows a format similar to that of the well-known KQRS-FM in the Twin Cities.

The studios are located in downtown Duluth, along with KDAL, KDAL-FM, KDKE, KTCO, WDSM, and WDUL.

KQDS-FM is simulcast on KQDX (106.3) in Hibbing. Prior to Midwest selling the stations, KQDS-FM was also simulcast on WXXZ (95.3 FM, later WFNX) in Grand Marais and KAOD (106.7 FM, now KZJZ) in Babbitt. KQ 95's main competitor is Townsquare Media's WWPE (92.1 FM).

KQDS-FM is probably best known for "The KQ Morning Show" which for the last decade has been rated first among adults 25-54 and Men 25–54. The show's longtime host, Bill Jones left the station, the broadcast industry and the city of Duluth December 15, 2009. Jones' Co-host, Jason Manning has returned to KQ with a "revamped" morning show with new co-host Frank Befera. In 2011, Befera was let go and the Morning Show switched to its current line-up of Jason Manning and longtime afternoon DJ Scott Savage.