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
Wavelength Dynamics applied for new low-power TV stations on channels 2, 3, and 6 in Walker, each using 3kW.
Minnesota
VCY America’s KVCS/89.1 (Spring Valley) returned to the air June 2 after completing repairs. It had been off the air since Feb. 23.
The FCC approved an extension of special temporary authority for KGSL/95.3 (Winona) to transmit at reduced power from the KRIV-FM/101.1 tower following the collapse of KGSL’s tower last November.
Minnesota Public Radio notified the FCC that K231AT/94.1 (Pine City) and W248AS/97.5 (Hinckley) are now carrying “The Current” from a new HD2 signal of WINH/91.9 (Hinckley), while W226AY/93.1 (Hinckley) is carrying Classical MPR station WGRH/88.5 (Hinckley). The translators had previously relayed MPR’s Twin Cities signals.
KTV Media Group’s KFDF-CD/34 (Springdale, Ark.) has applied to swap facilities with DTV America’s KMQV-LD/36 (Rochester-Minneapolis), with KFDF-CD taking KMQV-LD’s place transmitting from the IDS Center on channel 36. Meanwhile, HC2’s KRZG-CD (McAllen, Texas) dropped an application to move to Minneapolis on channel 36 and applied for a move to Fargo instead. Two similar swaps are proposed in other parts of the country and two other applications are also being amended; the applications requests that all nine proposals be considered simultaneously. It also states that the two sides intend to swap licenses if the moves are completed, meaning DTV America would still own the LPTV station on channel 36 in Minneapolis. The reason for the proposed series of events is not clear from the FCC filing.
Nebraska
Nebraska Public Media’s KUNE-FM/88.7 (Columbus) reports that it went off the air June 9 due to a lightning strike. It has requested special temporary authority to remain silent.
North Dakota
Nexstar’s KXMA-TV/2.1 (Dickinson) and KXMD/11.1 (Williston) returned to full power on June 2 after repairing damage from an October 2024 power surge.
The FCC granted Nexstar’s KXMB-TV/12.1 (Bismarck) an upgrade from 19.1kW to 21kW.
Prairie Public Broadcasting’s KJRE/19.1 (Ellendale) was granted an extension of special temporary authority to use 65.8kW at 167m while it awaits delivery of a new transmitter. KJRE has a construction permit to upgrade to 158kW.
HC2 Station Group’s KRZG-CD (McAllen, Texas) has applied to move to Fargo on channel 15 with 15kW. It replaces a previous application to move to Minneapolis on channel 36.
South Dakota
The FCC approved Brookings Radio LLC’s purchase of Connoisseur Media’s five stations in the Brookings market: KBRK-FM/93.7 (Brookings), KKQQ/102.3 (Volga), KDBX/107.1 (Clear Lake), KJJQ/910 (Volga), and KBRK/1430 (Brookings).
Nine days after it returned to the air, Mount Rushmore Broadcasting’s KFCR/1490 (Custer) reports that it went silent again June 6. The filing states, “Licensee is experiencing financial distress that has impaired its ability to sustain operations. Licensee is actively working to identify and secure a qualified buyer capable of maintaining service to KFCR’s community.” FCC records indicate KFCR has gone silent a dozen times since 2010, including each year since 2022.
Wisconsin
Family Worship Center Church’s WIWN/68.1 (RF 5, Fond du Lac-Milwaukee) was granted another extension of special temporary authority to broadcast with increased power of 34kW rather than its licensed 9kW. The FCC has granted a series of extensions for WIWN; previous filings indicate it is seeking a long-term solution to problems with viewers receiving its VHF Low signal.
Iglesia Pentecostal Jehova Rafa was granted the callsign WCBA-LP for its future low-power FM station on 103.7 in McFarland.
Wavelength Dynamics applied for new low-power TV stations on channels 2, 3, 4, and 6 in Madison, each using 3kW.