WWLE must leave the air during the sunset to sunrise period to protect the nighttime skywave signals of the Class A stations.

The original WWLE came to air on November 22, 1969, as the dream of the late ABC radio newscaster William L. Edmonds; the call letters are his initials.

Edmonds' widow Adeline served as WWLE's president, while their son Bill ran the news department.

After several years, the station faced financial troubles and was eventually bought out by investors including Angelo Martinelli, the mayor of Yonkers, New York.

[3] In 2010, WWLE filed a petition to move to 1150 AM and increase its power (not possible on 1170 because of interference by WWVA in Wheeling, West Virginia); no action has been taken by the FCC.