The following are updates to previously-reported items and other recent regulatory filings and actions concerning Upper Midwest broadcast stations. This report is created by the author and is not an official report of the FCC.
National
The FCC announced that the next filing window for new low-power FM stations will run from Dec. 6 to 13. The window was originally scheduled for early November but was pushed back after LPFM advocates requested more time to promote participation.
Iowa
Youngers Colorado Broadcasting’s K295CB/106.9 (Des Moines) reported that it went off the air Oct. 7 due to transmitter failure. UPDATE: The station subsequently reported, after this post was published, that the filing was made in error and K295CB is still on the air.
The FCC approved a modification to future VCY America station KVPG/103.9 (Dunkerton), now specifying 14kW/64m (class C3) from a tower in Cedar Falls.
Radio By Grace closed on its donation of K206ED/89.1 (Le Mars), K240DE/95.9 (Sioux City), and K218EA/91.5 (Ottumwa) to 247 Media Ministries on Oct. 16. The transfer also included WJEP/91.1 (Cusseta, GA), which is serving as the originating station for the translators as they carry the “Worship 24/7” network. A translator in Idaho was also included in the donation.
Minnesota
Q Media Group’s WBHA/1190 (Wabasha) has requested a callsign change to WPVW effective Oct. 26. The station’s Facebook page recently shared a post from an advertiser that says the station is “pivoting” to be more focused on Plainview, a community midway between Wabasha and Rochester that is slightly larger than Wabasha.
We Have This Hope Christian Radio submitted a license to cover application indicating that new station WDJD/89.9 (Aitkin) is on the air under program test authority. WDJD transmits with 1kW/17m. It’s the third new station the broadcaster has signed on in the past several weeks, following sign-ons of small signals in Fergus Falls and Thief River Falls.
Fairmont Area Catholic Radio returned the license of low-power station KYEJ-LP/90.1 (Fairmont) after signing on full-power license KYEJ to replace it on the same frequency.
Nebraska
KNEF/90.1 (Franklin) returned to the air at 80 Watts after its new owner, CSN International, was granted special temporary authority to use the reduced power.
Wisconsin
Civic Media’s WPFP/980 (Park Falls) was granted special temporary authority to continue transmitting at reduced daytime power of 500 Watts, rather than its licensed 1kW, while it works to resolve a problem with the antenna. It continues to use 105 Watts at night. The filing says repairs are anticipated within three to five weeks.