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
Connoisseur Media requested six-month extensions of special temporary authority for KMCD/1570 and KKFD-FM/95.9 (Fairfield) to remain off the air. The latest filings state, “the licensee continues to weigh options as to the future of the station.” KMCD and KKFD-FM went off the air March 31 and, under federal law, must return to the air within one to retain their licenses.
HC2 Station Group’s KRPG-LD/43.1 (Des Moines) returned to full power of 15kW on Sept. 24.
Manitoba
CBC/Radio-Canada has applied to reduce the power of CBC Music station CBWS-FM/92.7 (Brandon) but says the reduction would not result in any actual loss of service because “the current main tube transmitter is unstable and has been operating at reduced power for quite some time.” Currently licensed for 90kW, CBWS-FM would officially reduce power to 56.377kW ERP. The filing mentions that changes are also planned for CBC Radio One station CBWV-FM/97.9 (Brandon) but that application has not yet appeared on the CRTC website.
Minnesota
In addition to the purchase of the station reported last week, Leighton Enterprises has requested a callsign change for KMGK/107.1 (Glenwood) to KXGK effective Dec. 1.
Nebraska
Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home, also known as Boys Town, was granted program test authority for new low-power FM station KBTI-LP/96.5 (Omaha). It’s not immediately known if the station has begun regular programming.
North Dakota
Forum Communications’ KBMY-KMCY, LLC applied for a new low-power TV/translator station on channel 20 in Dickinson, using 4.16kW. As reported earlier this month, Forum has also applied for a translator on channel 21 in Williston with 3kW. The new signals could restore ABC broadcast service to the communities for the first time since 2016 and CBS for the first time since an affiliate swap this past summer.
South Dakota
Forum Communications’ K35MW-D (Lead), which relays KNBN/21 (Rapid City), went off the air Oct. 7 due to technical difficulties.
The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago’s K213CL/90.5 (Huron) was granted a construction permit to move to a grain elevator site four miles from its previous tower, which collapsed, forcing the station to go silent on July 5. K213CL will remain 250 Watts and continue to relay WJSO (Pikeville, Ky.) via satellite.
Wisconsin
Good Karma Broadcasting’s WBEV-FM/95.3 (Beaver Dam) returned to full power of 6kW on Oct. 15. It had been operating at reduced power since Feb. 4 due to transmitter failure.
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.