Fargo Radio: Amanda Lea Steps Away From Morning Show

Amanda Lea

Amanda Lea, a beloved radio personality in Fargo, North Dakota, stepped away from her role as co-host of "Pike & Amanda in the Morning" on Big 98.7 (KLTA-FM) after 15 years in the local radio scene. Her departure was announced on air during a tearful segment on Wednesday marking the end of an era for the station and its listeners.

Lea had been a fixture on Fargo’s airwaves since 2009, when she joined Froggy 99.9’s morning show after moving from Denver. In 2013, she transitioned to Big 98.7 during its launch as a Hot AC (Adult Contemporary) station, where she became a key part of the morning lineup alongside various co-hosts, including Jesse James, Pike Taylor, and Gordo. Over the years, her show—under different iterations like "Jesse and Amanda with Pike" and later "Pike & Amanda"—earned accolades, including five "Best Local Radio Show" awards from The Forum’s "Best of the Red River Valley" competition, with the most recent in 2023.

Her decision to leave was driven by a desire to prioritize time with her young children, Sidney and Briggs. Lea explained to listeners that her kids were growing up fast, and she wanted to be present for their mornings—curling her daughter’s hair, taking her to school, and making memories—rather than being in the studio at dawn. This choice was influenced by the loss of her mother, Barb Wohlwend ("Big Momma"), to ovarian cancer in 2016 at age 54. Lea, nearing 40 herself, reflected on how her mother’s early death underscored the importance of every moment, prompting her to reevaluate her priorities.

During her announcement, Lea shared that Big 98.7’s management had been supportive, even allowing her to bring her children to the station at times. However, the pull of family life outweighed her long career in radio. 

Lea’s tenure wasn’t without challenges; she’d openly shared life events with her audience, including a stroke at 26, a divorce, her mother’s passing, remarriage to her husband Nick, and motherhood. This openness fostered a familial bond with listeners, making her exit particularly poignant. She hasn’t ruled out a return to radio someday but admitted she has no immediate plans, calling her departure a “giant leap of faith.” Her husband, she jokingly added, was “losing his mind a little” over the uncertainty.