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
After its recent move from 99.5 to 92.9, Eldora Broadcasting’s KDAO-FM (Eldora) has now completed an upgrade from 6kW to 13.5kW, changing to class C3. The power increase improves KDAO-FM’s signal to Marshalltown, Iowa Falls, and Grundy Center.
God’s Grace Radio was granted the callsign KGDR-LP for its future low-power FM station on 106.7 in Dyersville.
Minnesota
We Have This Hope Christian Radio was granted the callsign KWHH for its future station on 88.3 in Fairmont.
North Dakota
Prairie Public Broadcasting’s KJRE/19.1 (Ellendale) has been granted special temporary authority to return to the air at reduced power. KJRE left the air Dec. 29, 2023, due to antenna damage caused by an ice storm and PPB decided to upgrade its facilities as it makes repairs. The station’s latest filing states that a new antenna has been installed but it is still awaiting delivery of the new transmitter. In the interim, it plans to use the old transmitter with 65.5kW ERP from the new antenna at 181 meters above average terrain. Ultimately, the new facility will use 158kW at 181m. KJRE previously transmitted 72.3kW/167m. It serves an area of southeastern North Dakota with little other broadcast TV reception.
South Dakota
The Educational Media Foundation submitted K209EM/89.7 (Huron) for cancellation. K209EM had gone off the air with the sign-on of EMF’s KLUV/89.7 (Huron), which continues to carry “K-Love” at higher power than K209EM had used. The translator had an unbuilt construction permit to move to 88.1 as K201JA.
Wisconsin
The Family Radio Network requested the callsign WEMK for what is now WJTI/1460 (West Allis-Milwaukee) effective Nov. 28. Its deal to purchase the station from El Sol Broadcasting has received FCC approval but has not yet closed.
The FCC granted the callsign WPBO-LP for Bellowing Ox Properties’ future low-power FM station on 104.7 in Platteville.
Disclosure: Jon Ellis was an employee of Gray Media Group at the time this item was posted. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.