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 approved KDLX Latin Broadcasting’s purchase of KDLX/1150 (Des Moines) and K233BT/94.5 (Des Moines) from Trinity Communications.
Michigan
Facing a Sept. 2 construction deadline, West Central Michigan Media Ministries has been granted a site change and downgrade for future station WHFJ/88.9 (Houghton). The filing explains that the original site, where the construction permit had called for 25kW/165m (class C2), is no longer available. The modified permit moves WHFJ to the WGGL auxiliary site using 2kW/191m (class C3).
Minnesota
The FCC has returned 95.3 in Grand Marais to the list of vacant allotments for a future a class C1 station (100kW/299m). The action means the frequency will go up for bidding in a future FCC auction, which is not scheduled. 95.3 was occupied by WXXZ/WVVE/WFNX (Grand Marais) from 1999 to 2024, when the license was returned.
Nebraska
Nebraska Public Media’s KNNE-FM/90.7 (McCook) returned to the air on Aug. 22 after resolving equipment problems. KNNE signed on in February and has had multiple periods of silence due to unexpected problems.
Sinclair’s KXVO/15.1 (Omaha) and KPTM/42.1 (Omaha) notified the FCC that their main studio has moved to 1700 Farnam Street. They were previously at 4625 Farnam Street.
CSN International’s K217FM/91.7 (Norfolk) was granted an upgrade from 87 to 115 Watts.
South Dakota
University of Northwestern-St. Paul’s KNWC/1270 (Sioux Falls) was granted special temporary authority to transmit non-directionally at night with 575 Watts, which is 25% of its usual nighttime power. The station’s filing explains that its usual nighttime directional pattern has become unstable and some parts need to be replaced. KNWC’s 5kW daytime signal, using a different directional pattern, is unaffected.
Wisconsin
Milwaukee Radio Alliance’s WZTI/1290 (Greenfield-Milwaukee) notified the FCC that it left the air Aug. 10 due to flooding in Milwaukee. The station’s “Fonz” Oldies format continues to stream online. The filing says if WZTI is unable to return to the air by Sept. 9, it will file a formal request for special temporary authority to remain silent.
The Salvation Poem Foundation’s WEQR/100.9 (Tomahawk) reports that it is off the air due to an antenna fire. The station has requested special temporary authority to remain silent while it works to install a new antenna.
Gray Media applied for a license to cover for new station WNWE/26 (Eagle River). Though it is a full-power license, the station transmits with 1.4kW directional and reaches only the immediate Eagle River area. Programming is not immediately known. Gray had proposed allocating channel 26 to Eagle River before purchasing WYOW/34.1 (Eagle River).