KDWB Morning Show Era Ends With Dave Ryan’s Exit

Dave Ryan is ending his run at 101.3 KDWB on May 22. His departure closes 33 years at the station and 46 years in radio.

What We Know: Ryan announced his retirement from iHeartMedia’s KDWB in Minneapolis–St. Paul. His final broadcast is set for May 22, 2026. The station plans tribute programming and listener celebrations leading up to his last show. After that, Ryan transitions into an ambassador role and remains part of the KDWB family.

What They Said: “Dave Ryan is a Twin Cities institution and one of the best to ever do it,” said Rich Davis, iHeartMedia Minneapolis SVP of Programming. Ryan himself reflected warmly on the journey: “Being welcomed into your life has meant more to me than I can ever express.” Both quotes signal a graceful, mutual exit built on genuine respect.

What Remains Unclear: The future of the KDWB morning lineup is still undetermined. iHeartMedia has not named a replacement host or revealed a format shift. Details are expected soon, but no timeline has been given. That uncertainty leaves a significant competitive opening in a major market.

What It Means: One by one, the voices that defined a generation are going quiet. Ryan’s departure is the latest reminder that broadcast radio’s golden era of personality-driven morning shows is fading fast. The medium moves on, but something distinct disappears with every veteran who walks out the door. The chair gets filled — the legacy rarely does..

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David Hill

David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.