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.
Illinois
The FCC granted a construction permit for JFTN – JPLN INC. to build a new low-power FM station on 105.5 in Moline using 100 Watts. The group plans Christian programming.
Iowa
Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting requested program test authorization for new station KJWC/90.5 (Hampton), meaning sign-on of the new station is imminent. It will use 25kW/72m (class C3) from a transmitter southeast of Hampton, with a main coverage area including Iowa Falls and Grundy Center.
Michigan
Aurora Media’s W284AG/98.7 (Escanaba) completed a move to sister station WYKX’s transmitter site northwest of town and a frequency change to 99.1, where it is now W256EE. It has switched its input station to WYKX, but it’s not immediately known if it’s relaying the primary channel or an HD subchannel.
Minnesota
Bridge News LLC closed on its purchase of WUMN-LD/21 (Minneapolis) from Media Vista Minneapolis on March 1.
The FCC granted Digital Networks-Midwest’s K27OW-D (Rochester) a construction permit to upgrade from 5.62kW to 15kW.
Redwood TV Improvement Corporation’s K25II-D (Redwood Falls) went off the air Feb. 27 due to transmitter failure.
Nebraska
Alpha Media’s KFRX/106.3 (Lincoln) returned to full power of 100kW on March 1 following antenna repairs.
Wisconsin
Family Station’s WMWK/88.1 (Milwaukee) applied to upgrade from its present 1.1kW/276m (class B1) to 4.2kW/289m (class B).
VCY America’s WVCY-FM/107.7 (Milwaukee) reported that it resumed full-power operations on March 7.
Sinclair’s WCWF (RF 15, Suring-Green Bay) applied to reduce power from 700kW to 600kW. It will continue to operate in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) mode.
The FCC granted Good Karma’s WBEV-FM/95.3 (Beaver Dam) special temporary authority to operate at reduced power of about 950 Watts, rather than its licensed 6kW, as it continues work to resolve a transmitter failure.
Leaders of Kenosha Corporation was granted a construction permit for a new low-power FM station on 101.5 in Kenosha using 100 Watts. The group’s application stated, “our focus lies in broadcasting arts and culture, current affairs, and unique underground music, specifically focusing on topics relevant to the Big Sur area.” The frequency was previously used by UW-Parkside’s WIPZ-LP, which left the air in 2021.
The FCC granted The Wilson and Carol Trueblood Performing Arts Center a construction permit for a new low-power FM station on 98.7 in Washington Island using 100 Watts. It was also granted the callsign WISL-LP. The group’s application stated they plan to offer a wide variety of content, including arts programming and collaboration with schools.
Vanguard Association of Sunbelt Colleges Corporation was granted a modification to the construction permit for future station WBWY/91.9 (Janesville) to move the transmitter to a tower west of the city using 450 Watts at 125m.
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.