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.
The FCC has set Feb. 2, 2027, as the opening date for an auction of commercial FM frequencies, including eight allotments in the Upper Midwest.
Iowa
Tegna’s KCWI/23.1 (Ames-Des Moines) resumed full-power operations on July 23. KCWI had previously reported that it went off the air June 11 due to transmission line problems.
HC2 Station Group’s KRPG-LD/43.1 (Des Moines) reports that it has been operating at reduced power since June 20 and has requested special temporary authority to use 8.7kW, rather than its licensed 15kW, while repairs are made.
The FCC approved the transfer of shares in Times-Citizen Communications, owner of KIFG-FM/95.3 and KIFG/1510 (Iowa Falls), to Joshua Lovelace and Carie M. Goodknight, with each owning 50% of the company. Documents filed with the FCC show Lovelace and Goodknight were previously minority owners in the company and bought shares that had been held by Mark Hamilton.
Michigan
The FCC granted Morgan Murphy Media/Queen Bee’s Knees LLC a construction permit for new low-power TV station W21FE-D (Marquette), using 15kW from a site near Humboldt, west of Marquette.
The FCC granted Gray Media a construction permit for new low-power TV station W25GN-D (Marquette), using 15kW. Meanwhile, Gray’s W14EM-D (Marquette) was granted a construction permit to move to channel 23 as W23FW-D, remaining 15kW from its present site.
Minnesota
HC2 Station Group has applied for a new low-power TV station on channel 28 in Minneapolis, using 15kW. The application acknowledges potential interference to co-owned K28PQ-D (St. Cloud) and requests a waiver. (K28PQ-D currently transmits from Big Lake and has a construction permit to move its transmitter to Plymouth.) The Minneapolis facility would use a directional antenna limiting the signal to the east.
SagamoreHill of Minneapolis was granted a construction permit for new low-power TV station K27PZ-D (Mankato), using 3kW.
The FCC granted BEK Sports Network construction permits for new low-power TV stations K31QO-D (Alexandria) and K14TW-D (Bemidji), each using 15kW.
Redwood TV Improvement Corporation’s K35NY-D (Redwood Falls) went off the air July 7 due to equipment failure.
Minnesota Public Radio’s KSJR-FM/90.1 (Collegeville) reports that it resumed full-power operations on May 15. The station had been at reduced power since Feb. 9 due to an antenna problem.
Nebraska
Flood Broadcasting’s KBIE/103.1 (Auburn) reports that it is operating at 20% of its licensed 50kW after a July 22 storm damaged its transmitter.
Gray Media’s K33FF-D (Wallace, etc.) returned to the air July 23.
KLKN Lincoln License LLC submitted an extension of consummation notice indicating that the sale of KLKN/8 (Lincoln) to Community News Media has not yet closed.
Theatre Organ Preservation of Nebraska’s KEZL/89.7 (Culbertson) was granted another construction permit to upgrade to 100kW.
North Dakota
BEK Sports Network was granted a construction permit for new low-power TV station K14TO-D (Dickinson), using 15kW.
South Dakota
The FCC granted BEK Sports Network construction permits for new low-power TV stations K14TP-D (Aberdeen), K16OI-D (Pierre), K14TQ-D (Rapid City), and K17PP-D (Sioux Falls), each using 15kW.
Riverfront Broadcasting’s KQRQ/92.3 (Rapid City) and KZLK/106.3 (Rapid City) have been granted extensions of special temporary authority to operate at reduced power. Each stations’ application indicates more time is needed to install new transmitters.
Wisconsin
Rincon Broadcasting Milwaukee submitted an extension of consummation notice indicating that the sale of WVTV/18 (Milwaukee) to Community News Media has not yet closed.
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.