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.
Iowa
The FCC has approved a callsign change for Iowa Public Radio’s KICJ/88.9 (Mitchellville) to KKSO, a callsign previously used by a commercial AM station in the Des Moines market (which itself was a nod to the heritage KSO callsign previously used by a different AM station). The callsign change won’t take place until August 29. As previously noted here, a separate application previously indicated that IPR plans to switch the input station of K231DI/94.1 (Des Moines) to KICJ/KKSO; programming plans have not been announced.
The FCC has reinstated Holy Mother Mary’s application for a new low-power FM station on 98.7 in Cascade. The FCC dismissed the application in January because the application failed to account for the allotment for a future full-power station on 98.7 in Asbury, stating that rules prohibit an amendment to fix the problem after the filing window has closed. The group filed a petition for reconsideration stating the rule prohibiting an amendment only applies to conflicts with other applications and facilities, not vacant allotments; the FCC has now agreed with that argument and reinstated the application. Holy Mother Mary now has 30 days to file an amendment changing the frequency, though the FCC noted that a move to 93.5 mentioned in a supplemental filing would not be allowed because it would be considered a major amendment.
The FCC granted Divine Mercy Educational Radio a construction permit for a new low-power FM station on 101.1 in Fort Madison, using 90 Watts, which will replace its existing KDME-LP/98.3 (Fort Madison). In approving the application, the FCC dismissed an informal objection from Adam Albert David, stating that the applicant followed the proper procedure to seek a major modification to an existing LPFM station.
With WGEM-TV (Quincy, IL) poised to move from RF channel 10 to 19, Iowa PBS’ K19KX-D (Keokuk) has applied to move from channel 19 to 18. The translator would reduce power slightly from 5.36kW to 4.2kW.
Minnesota
The FCC approved a modification to the construction permit for Edge Spectrum’s K34QF-D (Vesta) to move the planned transmitter site from north of Marshall to south of Marshall, using 5kW with a directional antenna pointed towards the community. K34QF is the former K43MH-D, which left the air due to its previous channel being discontinued in the spectrum repack.
Nebraska
Flood Communications West’s K26CV-D (Ogallala) reports that it has been off the air since May 9, which was prior to Flood closing on its purchase of the station. “The former licensee inadvertently failed to file the requisite silent STA notification. The current licensee seeks to correct this omission,” the filing says.
North Dakota
Edge Spectrum reports that the new channel 23 facility of K43JQ-F/K23OL-D (Bismarck) has been constructed. The new facility uses 2kW from a tower south of Bismarck. The station had been off the air for several years after its former channel was discontinued in the spectrum repack.
In His Presence Ministries has applied to downgrade future station KTGH/90.1 (Bowdon) from 100kW to 117 Watts. It would move from a tower west of Bowdon to a grain elevator near town. KTGH faces a January 2025 construction deadline.
Prairie Public Broadcasting submitted a license to cover application indicating K220FI/91.9 (Beach) has completed construction of its new facility on 91.5, where it will have the callsign K218FO. As noted in Friday’s Weekly Log, Prairie Public has announced that the frequency change will take place on July 31. It includes a power increase from 8 to 19 Watts.
South Dakota
Mount Rushmore Broadcasting’s KFCR/1490 (Custer) reports that it went off the air on July 10 due to financial hardship. The filing states, “Licensee is exploring all options to put the station on a financially sustainable path.” According to KFCR’s previous filings, the station has been off the air for all but a few weeks since Oct. 10, 2022, due to technical difficulties. It briefly returned to the air in June 2023 before again going silent and had most recently returned to the air June 24, 2024.
Wisconsin
WJJQ translator W264CH/100.7 (Tomahawk) has completed its move to 97.7 as W249EJ. The frequency change follows the sign-on of WEQR/100.9 (Tomahawk).
Edge Spectrum reports that the new channel 35 facility of W39CV-D/W35DM-D (Minocqua) has been constructed. The new facility uses 2.3kW from a tower near Sayner. The station had been off the air for several years after its former channel was discontinued in the spectrum repack.
Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.