The following are updates to stories previously reported here and smaller recent FCC filings and actions that do not merit a full story of their own at this time:
Michigan
Sovereign Communications filed an extension of consummation for the sales of its radio stations in the Marquette and Iron Mountain markets on Oct. 26. Such a filing indicates the deals to sell the stations have not yet formally closed but that consummation is still expected to happen in the future. Radio Results Network’s website indicates the stations it’s buying are being operated as part of its group.
Minnesota
Heartland Christian Broadcasters returned the license of W228AA/93.5 (Red Lake). It had relayed KBHW/99.5 (International Falls). The station’s filing does not give any reason for the decision to leave the air permanently.
In the far northeastern Twin Cities suburbs, the Maranatha Assembly of God Church’s W219DT/91.7 (North Branch) applied to move its transmitter closer to the metro. W219DT currently transmits with 50 Watts from a site near Stacy and has applied to use 250 Watts from the church in Wyoming (Forest Lake mailing address). The current facility provides only deep fringe coverage of Wyoming and Forest Lake. It relays the church’s WAJC/88.1 (Newport), a far southeastern metro signal which does not reach Forest Lake.
In the northwestern Twin Cities suburbs, Christian station KPJT-LP/99.1 (Maple Grove) applied for a license to cover after moving its transmitter 3 miles to the southeast. Having previously transmitted from an office building along I-694 in southeastern Maple Grove, the 100-Watt station now transmits from the Faith International SDA Church in southwestern Brooklyn Park.
Minnesota Public Radio applied to convert the licenses of KSJN/99.5 (Minneapolis) and KNTN/102.7 (Thief River Falls) to non-commercial status.
North Dakota
New translator K255DG/98.9 (Mayville) is on the air relaying KMSR/1520, which carries a Sports format. The 250-Watt translator was granted as part of the FCC’s AM revitalization effort. The locally-owned station is operated alongside KMAV/105.5 (Mayville).
CCR Williston’s KTHC/95.1 (Sidney, MT), which transmits from North Dakota, continues to operate at 75% of its licensed 100kW due to transmitter problems. The station’s request for extension of special temporary authority says parts for the transmitter are still being made but there have been delays due to the pandemic.
Wisconsin
Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WISC-TV/3.1 (Madison), which transmits on RF channel 11, was granted a construction permit to upgrade from 10.2kW to 46.9kW.
Magnum Communications’ K250AZ/97.9 (La Crosse) was granted a construction permit to increase from 28 Watts to 250 Watts.
David R. Magnum’s W239CD/95.7 (Beloit) went off the air Oct. 29 as a result of its tower lease not being renewed.
Midwest Communications’ WTAQ/1360 (Green Bay) requested extension of special temporary authority to operate its nighttime facility at a variance from its usual directional antenna pattern and/or at reduced power. The station, which is licensed for 5kW directional at night, says it first identified a problem in spring 2019 but standing water at the base of one of its towers has prevented work from being completed. Its filing says the station has considered backfilling the area but the pandemic has disrupted schedules and slowed efforts for contractors to reach the site.
Relevant Radio’s WYNW/92.9 (Birnamwood-Wausau) and WMMA-FM/93.9 (Nekoosa-Wisconsin Rapids) were granted changes to non-commercial license status.
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