Taylor County Broadcasting began leasing KHXS in 1996, after it was sold by the receiver, and programmed a conservative talk format before switching to classic rock.

Nearly immediately, Cumulus traded KFQX-FM to Powell Meredith Communications Corporation, which moved KKHR and its Spanish-language contemporary hit radio format to the 106.3 frequency.

A classic country format under the name "Kicks 106" and the call letters KHXS were selected, and the station rented space on the tower of KACU.

[14] Cumulus also took over KFQX-FM 102.7 and switched the formats of the two stations in 1998, with 106.3 inheriting the contemporary hits "Fox FM" that had been revived on the 102.7 frequency the year prior.

From 2001 to 2003, ASCAP contacted Powell Meredith five times and advised them not to play its songs without a license; the owners of the station rebuffed proposals to settle the dispute.

An ASCAP-employed musician confirmed that the station had aired eight compositions represented by the performing rights society without permission, such as Santana's version of "Oye Como Va" and Juan Gabriel's "Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez" (I Forgot Again).

[17] In 2022, Canfin Enterprises reached a deal to sell its Abilene radio cluster to WesTex Telco, LLC, owner of KTJK (101.7 FM).

[19] On August 1, 2023, WesTex Telco began simulcasting KTJK's "The Raider" variety hits format on KKHR, migrating it to the higher-power 106.3 frequency.