The station was assigned the call sign KVBD on October 17, 2000. On May 17, 2001, the station changed its call sign to KFFW, on August 7, 2008 to the current KCVY,[3] and on August 3, 2006, the station was sold to Lake Area Educational Broadcasting Foundation.[4]
Effective July 5, 2023, Lake Area Educational Broadcasting Foundation sold KCVY, fourteen sister stations, eight translators, and six construction permits to the University of Northwestern – St. Paul for $1.25 million.