With the FCC now mostly closed for nearly four weeks due to the partial government shutdown, here’s a look at applications that are on hold and potential filings that have not been submitted. With the database offline, it’s not possible to know if any action has been taken, but processing of routine applications was said to have been suspended.
Iowa
The FCC has apparently not acted on the proposed sale of KDPS/88.1 (Des Moines) to Community Broadcasting/Bott Radio Network. KDPS had requested to change its callsign to KCVD, which would have been effective Oct. 17.
Michigan
The FCC has apparently not acted on an application to donate WQXO/1400 (Munising) and its FM translator to K-Love.
Marquette Radio Group’s WNGE/99.5 (Negaunee) awaits action on an application to upgrade from 3.6kW to 50kW.
Minnesota
Two FM translators in northern Minnesota, previously known to be on the air, were not heard during a recent roadtrip. Since stations cannot submit notifications that they are off the air during the shutdown, it’s unknown if the outages are long-term.
Nebraska
Shortly before the shutdown, Standard Media Group filed an application to sell its four stations, including KLKN/8 (Lincoln), to Rincon Broadcast Group.
North Dakota
Gray Media’s K35PO-D (Bismarck) apparently awaits action on a request for special temporary authority that would allow it to return to the air. In a filing shortly before the shutdown, the station explained that its transmission line had failed and that it had planned to use reduced power from a side-mounted directional antenna.
South Dakota
Two AM stations in Sioux Falls were temporarily operating at reduced nighttime power in recent months. With no filing system online, it’s unknown if they’ve returned to full power.
Wisconsin
The FCC has apparently not yet acted on applications to transfer the Milwaukee Radio Alliance’s licenses to K-Love and Civic Media. Civic is already operating the stations it’s buying under a time brokerage agreement, but no such agreement was indicated in the application to transfer WLDB/93.3 and WLUM-FM/102.1 to K-Love. WLDB and WLUM continue to automate their previous playlists without staff. That means there are two “B” Adult Contemporary formats on the dial since iHeartMedia launched the new “B97.3” (WRNW) as “B93.3” continues to run. WLDB and WLUM also await action on applications to convert their licenses to non-commercial.