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
Second Generation of Iowa/KFXA Licensee, LLC filed another extension of consummation of the sale of KFXA/28.1 (Cedar Rapids) to Sinclair Broadcast Group. The filing states, “Additional time is needed for the parties to resolve all aspects of the closing.” An extension of consummation means the sale has not yet closed, but is still expected to close in the future.
K-Love Inc.’s K249DO/97.7 (Clinton) returned to full power of 170W on Feb. 24. A previous filing said the reduced-power operation was due to transmitter failure.
Michigan
Sumbera Broadcasting’s WMJT/96.7 (McMillan) requested special temporary authority to continue transmitting with 1kW from its studio site while it looks for a new transmitter site. WMJT, which is licensed for 50kW, first began the reduced-power operation last summer. The new filing says the licensee has identified a possible new site but “weather and financial limits have delayed such a relocation.”
Minnesota
Lakeland Media’s KSCR-FM/93.5 (Benson) has completed an upgrade from 25kW (class C3) to 50kW (class C2), with its antenna height remaining 100m above average terrain. The upgrade strengthens KSCR-FM’s rimshot signal to Willmar, Morris, and Montevideo.
Gabriel Media’s KYES/1180 (Rockville-St. Cloud) has been granted special temporary authority to transmit at reduced power of 32.5kW day and 2kW night due to equipment problems. KYES normally uses 50kW day and 5kW night with different day and night antenna patterns. It uses 8kW during critical hours (the two hours after sunrise and before sunset).
Christensen Broadcasting Luv LLC closed on its purchase of KLQL/101.1 (Luverne) and KQAD/800 (Luverne) from Connoisseur Media on Feb. 27.
The FCC approved a construction permit for Edge Spectrum’s K15IS-D (Willmar) to move to the Twin Cities as K10RZ-D (Minneapolis) with 3kW from Maple Plain. Meanwhile, Edge’s K21NU-D (Geneva) will become K12XX-D (Minneapolis) with 3kW from Shoreview.
The FCC approved construction permits for Edge Spectrum’s K25QV-D (Alexandria) to become K12XY-D (St. Cloud) with 3kW, and Edge’s K29NY-D (Alexandria) to become K27PO-D (St. Cloud) with 15kW.
The FCC approved construction permits to move Edge Spectrum’s K22LJ-D (Mason City, IA) to Rochester as K16OB-D with 8kW, and Edge’s K35PA-D (Mason City) to Rochester as K17PK-D with 15kW.
Nebraska
DTV America’s KIUA-LD/15 (Lincoln), which is currently licensed to transmit from a site near Aurora, was granted a construction permit to move its transmitter to Lincoln on channel 16 with 15kW.
North Dakota
Edge Spectrum’s K22NL-D (Wadena, MN) was granted a construction permit to change to K20PE-D (Fargo), using 11kW from a tower near Tamsen, MN. Meanwhile, Edge’s K18NT-D (Grand Forks) was granted a move to Fargo as K26QC-D, using 15kW from the WDAY-TV tower.
Frank Digital Broadcasting’s K31MP-D (Grand Forks) was granted a move to Fargo with 15kW, remaining on channel 31.
Townsquare Media’s KYYZ/96.1 (Williston) was granted an extension of special temporary authority to transmit with 2kW, rather than its licensed 100kW, due to a transmitter failure. The latest filing states, “Repairs have been delayed due to continuing infrastructure issues and frigid temperatures.”
South Dakota
Christensen Broadcast Group closed on its purchase of KJAM-FM/103.1 (Madison) and KJAM/1390 (Madison) from Connoisseur Media on Feb. 27.
Wisconsin
The City of Marshfield has returned the construction permit for low-power FM station WIBR-LP/93.1 (Marshfield).
VCY America’s K208FO/89.5 (Prairie du Chien) returned to the air on Feb. 18. The translator had experienced transmitter failure.
Gray Media’s W21DS-D (Sayner/Vilas County), which relays WSAW/7 (Wausau), has been operating at reduced power since Feb. 13 due to a transmitter issue.
Digital Networks-Midwest’s W21EF-D (Fond du Lac) was granted a move to Milwaukee, remaining on channel 21 with 15kW.
Edge Spectrum’s W30BU-D (Green Bay) was granted a change to become W25GB-D (Milwaukee), using 15kW from West Bend.
Baraboo Broadcasting Corporation’s W36FN-D (Baraboo), which is currently licensed to transmit from a site near Tomah, was granted a construction permit to move its transmitter to the Baraboo area as W16EM-D. The license will replace a longtime facility that has been operating under special temporary authority on the same channel.