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.
Illinois/Wisconsin
The FCC formally granted Northern Illinois University a construction permit for a new station on 90.1 in Galena, IL, and dismissed VCY America’s competing application for a station on the same frequency in Mineral Point, WI. VCY had submitted a petition to deny alleging that NIU should not have qualified as an “established local applicant” under the FCC’s points-based selection system because its campus is more than 25 miles from Galena. In denying VCY’s petition, the FCC reiterated its policy that state universities are considered to be local throughout the state.
Iowa
KM Radio of Independence reported that KQMG-FM/95.3 (Independence) and KQMG/1220 (Independence) both went silent Jan. 1 due to equipment problems. The stations had simulcast a Classic Hits format. The area is under the umbrella of Waterloo and Cedar Rapids stations.
Michigan
Lilly Broadcasting MeTV/CBS affiliate WZMQ/19 (Marquette) has applied to upgrade from 31kW to 120kW, remaining at its present site. If approved, the new construction permit would replace a previous permit to upgrade to 255kW.
Minnesota
SagamoreHill of Minneapolis is buying low-power TV station KMYN-LD/32 (Duluth) from My Central Valley LLC for $200,000. The station signed on last year carrying Buzzr.
Gray TV’s K33MW-D (Sherburn) was granted an upgrade from 860W to 15kW, which will include a move of the transmitter to the KEYC studio in North Mankato.
Midwest Communications’ WEVE-FM/97.9 (Eveleth) reported that it is at reduced power of 5.2kW ERP using a backup transmitter after its main transmitter failed. The station’s request for special temporary authority says supply chain delays are creating uncertainty about when replacement components will be delivered. WEVE-FM normally transmits with 100kW.
Minnesota Public Radio’s KRSW/89.3 (Worthington) reported that it is operating at 10% of its licensed 100kW due to extensive icing on the tower and equipment.
The Bois Forte Tribal Council submitted a formal application requesting FCC approval of the previously-reported sale of WELY-FM/94.5 (Ely) and WELY/1450 (Ely) to Zoe Communications.
Nebraska
Educational Media Foundation “K-Love” station KFLV/89.9 (Wilber-Lincoln) reported that it returned to full power on Jan. 4 after previously reducing power due to antenna icing.
South Dakota
The University of Northwestern-St. Paul’s K220IT/91.9 (Watertown) has completed an upgrade from 79 to 250 Watts.
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.