After more than 20 years on Brew City airwaves, local radio voice Karen Dalessandro is leaving Milwaukee at the end of the month.

Currently the host of 96.5 WKLH's afternoon drive show, Dalessandro has accepted a similar gig – albeit in far warmer climes – as the new afternoon host for 100.7 KSLX, a classic rock station in Phoenix. 

"It probably seems like moving to Arizona in the dead of winter was a no brainer," said Dalessandro, in a release, "but the truth is, it's incredibly sad saying goodbye. I love Milwaukee and have watched it grow over the last two decades. It is an amazing, vibrant city full of good friends and great memories. Milwaukee will always hold a special place in my heart."

Starting her radio career at a rock station in Michigan, Dalessandro came to Milwaukee in 1998 to host the morning show at 106.1 WMIL. Dalessandro spent most of Brew City radio career at the country station, eventually retiring in 2017 after 19 years over WMIL's airwaves. The media vet (and 2015 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee) didn't stay retired long, however, taking over afternoon hosting duties at 94.5 WKTI – at the time a country station – in 2017 before shifting to part-time afternoon work at KLH in late December the following year. That gig quickly became full-time as Dalessandro officially earned the classic rock station's weekday afternoon drive host role in April of 2019, where she can be heard this very day from 2-6 p.m., as well as Saturdays at the same time slot.

In addition to her plethora of radio work, Dalessandro also appeared on local televisions as a guest host for "The Morning Blend" as well as the brand ambassador for Stein's Garden & Home.

Dalessandro's final day on air at 96.5 WKLH will be Friday, March 26.