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
Hubbard Broadcasting’s KAAL/6.1 (Austin, Minn.) requested special temporary authority for its digital replacement translator on channel 33 in Mason City to operate at reduced power of 500 Watts while it makes repairs.
Saga Broadcasting’s K252EX/98.3 (Spencer) and K273DD/102.5 (Spencer) submitted license to cover applications indicating that they have completed a move of their antenna to a location 22 meters lower on their existing tower, remaining 250 Watts.
Michigan
AMC Partners Escanaba’s WUPF/107.3 (Powers-Escanaba) was granted a construction permit to move to a new site and upgrade from 50kW/97m to 50kW/130m, replacing an expired permit.
Minnesota
In a rare situation, the FCC has granted special temporary authority for K236CO/95.1 (Northfield) to remain on the air originating programming while its primary station, KYMN/1080 (Northfield), is off the air for guy wire replacement. The special temporary authority will last for two weeks beginning June 15.
Lakeland Media closed on its purchase of KKLN/94.1 (Atwater-Willmar), KSCR-FM/93.5 (Benson), KBMO/1290 (Benson), and KBMO translator K278CX/103.5 (Benson) from Headwaters Media on June 2.
Nebraska
Alpha Media filed a request for extension of special temporary authority for KLMS/1480 (Lincoln) to remain silent. KLMS went off the air Dec. 10, 2024, citing a loss of its antenna site; its “Mix 103.3” programming moved to an HD2 subchannel to continue feeding translator K277CA/103.3. The latest filing says Alpha “continues to evaluate options” for KLMS. Under federal law, KLMS will need to return to the air by Dec. 11 to retain its license.
Nebraska Public Media’s KNNE-FM/90.7 (McCook) requested special temporary authority to remain silent, stating that it expects to return to full-power operation by July 11. The station signed on in February and the filing explains that it went off the air June 6 due to technical difficulties with its transmission system. KNNE-FM was also off the air from March 11 to April 1 for antenna repairs, according to previous filings.
North Dakota
Digital Networks-Midwest’s KFGX-LD/35 (Fargo) has completed an upgrade from 2kW to 15kW.
South Dakota
Digital Networks-Midwest’s KSXF-LD/23 (Sioux Falls) has completed an upgrade from 2kW to 15kW. A viewer in the area reports that the station is using virtual channel 56, reflecting the license’s former analog channel number. Channels include Heartland Network, RetroTV, REV’N, The Action Channel, Revival TV, and GreaterLove Network Two.
Wisconsin
New Testament Church’s WDYD-LP (Merrill) returned to the air June 9 after moving from 100.9 to 102.5. The station was forced to leave 100.9 by the sign-on of WEQR/100.9 (Tomahawk).
Disclosure: Jon Ellis was an employee of Gray Media Group at the time this item was posted. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.