In 1984, WLAX became WSTQ and made the switch from beautiful music to a satellite-fed hot AC format.

In 1993, WYYS (106.1 FM), also licensed to Streator, joined WSTQ; they simulcast the country format until the two stations were sold along with co-owned WIZZ to Mendota Broadcasting.

On January 3, 2000, the simulcast with WYYS was split, and WSTQ ran announcements that a format change would be coming the next afternoon.

WYYS began simulcasting WIZZ and at 10:00 a.m. on January 4, 2000, WSTQ changed to top 40; the first song played on the new format was Counting Crows' "Hanginaround".

[5] Shaw Local Radio officially assumed ownership of WSTQ and its sister stations on April 3, 2023.