Listeners of The Jolt - and its on-air personalities - were given a jolt themselves when the station stopped on-air programming Friday morning.
The radio station, KJLL 1330 AM, is an all-talk format that has existed for 22 years.
On-air personalities were told the station was temporarily off the air because of "severe technical difficulties," said Fred Ronstadt, co-host of the yearlong "Fred and Jeff Show," which airs from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays.
Ronstadt said an employee told him that there would be news of the station's status Monday morning.
"I hope these issues are resolved quickly," said Ronstadt, a 48-year-old former city councilman. "Independent radio is important for the community."
The Jolt is a broker radio station, which means that on-air hosts pay for airtime. The station airs shows on politics, community service, food and lifestyle.
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Based on recent changes and interviews with former employees, it's unclear whether the current status is temporary or part of a larger issue.
In February, Dawn Avalon took over as vice president, replacing former general manager John C. Scott.
Since then, several employees have left The Jolt, including former business manager Nicole Cox, who has filed a lawsuit against the parent company, Hudson Communications.
Another former employee, producer Chuck Aubrey, heard about his termination March 17.
"I left," said Aubrey. "I heard I was fired. But I never officially got told, and I never received my last paycheck."
Aubrey, who started in August 2004, also worked as a board operator and hosted his own show, "Gnosis," for five years.
Repeated messages left at Avalon's office and mobile phone numbers were not returned.

