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 granted the Iowa Public Broadcasting Board construction permits for new low-power TV/translator stations K21PT-D (Centerville) and K19NP-D (Dubuque). K21PT-D will transmit with 15kW from a tower near Rathbun Lake. K19NP-D will transmit with 15kW using a directional antenna to limit the signal towards Madison to avoid interference to WMTV/15.1, which also transmits on RF channel 19.
K-Love Inc.’s K217FT/91.3 (Waterloo) and K265EH/100.9 (Waverly) returned to the air June 24.
Michigan
Michigan Civic Media Alliance’s WIMI/99.7 (Ironwood) returned to full power on June 24 after replacing its transmitter and antenna.
The FCC granted Northern Michigan University a construction permit for a new low-power TV/translator station on channel 27 in Marquette. W27EY-D will transmit with 3kW from Mount Marquette. NMU also owns PBS station WNMU/13.1, which transmits on a VHF High frequency (RF 8) from a site 25 miles southwest of the city,
Minnesota
Real Presence Radio’s KZJZ/106.7 (Babbitt) was granted an extension of special temporary authority to operate at reduced power as it continues work to repair antenna and/or transmission line issues. The station is using 1.81kW ERP rather than its licensed 19kW ERP.
Nebraska
Nebraska Public Media’s KPNE-FM/91.7 (North Platte) returned to the air at reduced power on June 16. As previously reported, KPNE-FM went off the air May 19 due to antenna damage and has been granted special temporary authority to use 7.5kW ERP at a reduced antenna heigh while repairs are made.
Meanwhile, Nebraska Public Media’s KUNE-FM/88.7 (Columbus) returned to the air June 18. It had gone off the air June 9 due to a reported lightning strike.
MyBridge Radio’s K201JH/88.1 (Columbus) has signed on with 90 Watts, relaying KRKR/95.1 (Waverly-Lincoln). K201JH is the former K209FS/89.7, which MyBridge bought from Nebraska Public Media after NPM signed on KUNE-FM.
Theatre Organ Preservation of Nebraska’s KEZL/89.7 (Culbertson) has applied for an upgrade to 100kW/103m (class C1). KEZL had previously been granted a 100kW facility in 2023 but it was not built.
Digital Networks-Midwest’s K36QD-D (Omaha) resumed operations on June 23.
South Dakota
James River Broadcasting Company’s K297CF/107.3 (Pierre) went off the air June 21 due to transmitter failure.
Wisconsin
Loam Media/Family Radio’s WMWK/88.1 (Milwaukee) has completed an upgrade from 1.1kW/276m (class B1) to 4.6kW/280m (class B).
The FCC has granted Weigel Broadcasting’s TV-49 Inc. a construction permit for a new low-power TV/translator station on channel 16 in Oshkosh. The permit for W16EP-D calls for a transmitter site on the other side of Lake Winnebago using 10kW, reaching Oshkosh and Fond du Lac.
The FCC approved HC2 Station Group’s purchase of WGBD-LD/49.1 (Green Bay) from Word of God Fellowship.
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.