FCC Actions
American Public Media Group, the owner of Minnesota Public Radio and Southern California Public Radio, has entered into a Consent Decree and will pay an $86,400 penalty for airing EAS tones during a segment produced by the BBC World Service but distributed by APMG.
“Chasing the World’s Biggest Tornado” airing on May 24, 2023 during the BBC show “Witness History” and failed to remove two EAS Tones and part a NOAA Tornado Warning audio from the segment. The program aired on APMG’s 46 stations across the Upper Midwest and California along with 500 stations nationally.
The FCC has updated the FM Table of Allotments to reinstate vacated facilities and modify license classes on others.
Restored to the table are:
- 97.9 Eufaula AL (Class A)
- 93.7 Port St. Joe FL (C2)
- 93.1 Warrenton GA (A)
- 99.5 Vardaman MS (A)
- 104.1 Jefferson City MO (A)
- 93.7 Conrad MT (C1)
- 94.5 Hatteras NC (C1)
- 93.3 Meyersdale PA (A)
- 102.7 New Ellenton SC (A)
- 98.3 Farwell TX (C1)
- 100.5 Junction TX (A)
- 107.3 Junction TX (C3)
97.3 Coalinga AC is downgraded from Class B1 to Class A. 96.9 Grand Marais MN from C3 to C2, 98.3 Big Lake TX upgraded from C2 to C1, and 102.1 Lockney TX dropped from C3 to A.
License Cancellations
Kirkman Broadcasting surrendered the licenses of “Classic Country 98.5” 1340 WQSC and Classic Hits “102.1 The City” 1450 WQNT Charleston SC. Both of the station’s brands continue as its translators are now being fed by HD subchannels of 106.3 WJNI Ladson.
Ahead of it reaching one year of silence, Connoisseur Media turned in the license for 1480 KLMS Lincoln NE. KLMS went silent in December 2024 after losing its tower site. It’s former translator now is fed by 106.3 KFRX-HD2 Lincoln.
The FCC cancelled the license for Down The Hill Communications’ 91.7 WPIL Heflin AL after the station failed to respond to an inquiry into its operating status as FCC agents inspected its tower site in October 2024 and found no operations and a complaint in June that it had been silent since at least April 1, 2024.
Silent Notifications
After the failed sale to E Radio Network, High Plains Radio Network took the following stations silent pending a new sale: 100.9 KDEL-FM Arkadelphia AR, 1240 KVRC Arkadelphia AR, 690 KAFN Benton AR, 99.7 KWPS-FM Caddo Valley AR, 97.1 KJMT Calico Rock AR, 92.7 KRZP Gassville AR, 106.9 KYXK Gurdon AR, 1310 KZYP Malvern AR, 94.3 KCMC-FM Viola AR, 102.7 KJOK Hollis OK, 1410 KLVQ Athens TX, 96.5 KKNM Bovina TX, 1490 KZZN Littlefield TX, 1590 KDAV Lubbock TX, 1400 KREW Plainview TX, 1490 KVWC Vernon TX and 103.1 KVWC-FM Vernon TX.
Other silent filings:
- Lotus Communications’ 1220 KTMZ Pomona CA (Decrease in advertising revenue due to government immigration policies and impact on Spanish speaking community)
- Post Rock Communications’ 93.7 KZFX Ridgecrest CA (Transmitter amplifier pallet failure)
- Arkansas Valley Broadcasting’s 97.1 KAYV Crested Butte CO (Financial reasons)
- Hoosier AM/FM’s 1400 WBAT Marion IN (Loss of studio lease)
- Hoosier AM/FM’s 860 WMRI Marion IN (Loss of studio lease)
- iHeartMedia’s 1370 WJIP Ellenville NY (Repair power entrance equipment)
- Total Media Group’s 1260 WNXT Portsmouth OH (Silent since August 12 during studio move)
- American Christian Radio’s 88.1 KFCA Aberdeen SD (Antenna failure)
- Cumulus Media’s 1280 WNAM Neenah-Menasha WI (Deciding whether to change formats or sell)
- Mount Rushmore Broadcasting’s 92.7 KIQZ Rawlins WY (Financial distress)
- Mount Rushmore Broadcasting’s 1240 KRAL Rawlins WY (Financial distress)
