The following are updates to stories previously reported here and smaller recent FCC filings and actions that do not merit a full story of their own at this time:
Iowa
Lowcountry 34 Media, LLC is buying the construction permits for future low-power TV stations K24KD-D (Salix) and K27LD-D (Salix) from Landover 2, LLC as part of a deal that includes 43 other stations outside the Upper Midwest. The total national purchase price for all 45 stations is $1.3 million. The stations face July construction deadlines but have requested extensions until January 2022.
The FCC has approved the sale of KLDX/88.5 (Sioux Center) from Dordt University to the Educational Media Foundation. The buyer began programming the station in mid-May.
Minnesota
Julie Huang’s SagamoreHill of Kansas City closed on its purchase of future low-power TV station K17OJ-D (St. Cloud) from HC2 Broadcasting on May 24.
Nebraska
My Bridge Radio requested program test authority for the upgraded facility of K284DC/104.7 (Grand Island), which will relay KMMJ/750. The translator previously broadcast from east of Grand Island but will instead broadcast from south of the city. The broadcaster has previously indicated plans to launch a Spanish Christian format on the stations. KMMJ went silent last year amid the transfer to My Bridge.
Sinclair Broadcast Group submitted its formal application to move ABC/FOX affiliate KHGI/13.1 (Kearney) to a UHF frequency following the FCC’s approval of a report and order making the change to the table of allotments. KHGI plans to move to RF channel 18 but instead of the 1,000kW mentioned in the initial proposal, it’s now seeking 630kW. The station’s application states that the antenna it wants to use is not capable of handling 1,000kW. The application states that there would be no loss in population coverage from KHGI’s current RF channel 13 facility to the proposed 630kW facility on channel 18.
South Dakota
Midwest Communications’ KELQ/107.9 (Flandreau-Sioux Falls) continues to operate at reduced power following a 2019 winter storm that severely damaged its transmitter building and equipment. The station’s latest FCC filing, a request for extension of special temporary authority, says a new transmitter has been delivered and they are gathering bids for a new tower site equipment shelter. The filing also says the pandemic has caused delays. KELQ is licensed for 21kW/232m (class C2) but has been operating at 4.5kW since the storm.
Prairie Winds Broadcasting closed on its purchase of K233BN/94.5 (Aberdeen) from VCY America. The station then filed a notification of suspension of operations, saying it went off the air May 25 as engineers re-work the station feed.
Wisconsin
David Magnum’s W239CD/95.7 (Beloit) applied to move to a taller tower, increasing its coverage area even though its power would drop from 250 to 130 Watts.