As KFTE (1991–2010) A
construction permit was first issued for a new 96.5 MHz FM station on April 19, 1991. JBC Inc. (doing business as ComCorp of Lafayette License Corporation) was the owner. Licensed on November 15, 1992, the station first
signed on with call sign KFTE on May 1, 1993. Its format was
easy listening. In July 1993, the Mid-Acadiana Broadcasting Corporation purchased KFTE. The price tag was $517,750 plus debt cancellation from ComCorp. KFTE began using the brand "Cool 96.5" in 1994. Beer wholesale company Schilling Distributing Company purchased KFTE and
KMDL for a combined $1.55 million in 1994. In 1996, Schilling changed the format of KFTE from easy listening to
1970s oldies. On January 22, 1997, ComCorp flipped KFTE's format to
alternative rock, with the brand "Planet Radio 96.5". On August 29, 2001, Regent Communications (later
Townsquare Media) reached an agreement to buy KFTE and six other radio stations from ComCorp. The price was over $39 million.
As KPEL-FM (2010–present) On June 25, 2010, KFTE switched call signs and formats with KPEL-FM at 105.1 MHz.
KFTE's rock format moved to 105.1, while KPEL-FM's news/talk format moved to 96.5 MHz. In June 2020, early afternoon host Carol Ross decided to end her program and leave the station. On March 15, 2025, KPEL-FM began carrying
Erick Erickson on weekdays from
WSB Atlanta. ==Programming==