FCC Monitor
Iowa
Community Broadcasting/Bott Radio Network closed on its purchase of KQLF/88.3 (Ottumwa) from Sound in Spirit Broadcasting on May 14.
God’s Grace Radio has signed on new low-power FM station KGDR-LP/106.7 (Dyersville). The station carries Catholic programming from Relevant Radio.
Minnesota
Following up on an item posted here last week, One Day Church Project was granted a modification to the construction permit for KBQA/88.1 (Rochester) to specify 4kW/44m (class A) rather than the original 20.5kW/102m (class C3). The station is facing a May 27 construction deadline.
Edge Spectrum’s K15IS-D (Willmar), which is currently off the air, applied to move to a different site, remaining 100 Watts.
Muscatine’s KMCS Begins Stunting after Sale
KMCS/93.1 (Muscatine) has begun stunting after its recent sale to VMPP, LLC.
The station, which previously played “Everything That Rocks” as “The Buzz,” switched to All-Christmas over the weekend. The station’s website appears to be down but its audio stream is still working via TuneIn.
VMPP, LLC closed on its purchase of KMCS, along with KWPC/860 and its translator K236CF/95.1, on April 9. KWPC carries Classic Country.
KMCS had carried Country until switching to Variety Hits in 2005, then Classic Rock in 2013, and “The Buzz” in 2019.
Muscatine is under the umbrella of the major Quad Cities stations, including Country, Adult Contemporary, and Contemporary Hits formats (Townsquare’s “B100” KBEA/99.7 is licensed to Muscatine). Some Iowa City and Cedar Rapids stations can also be heard in the community.
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FCC Monitor: Des Moines School Station to Go Off Air, Be Sold
Iowa
Des Moines Public Schools’ KDPS/88.1 (Des Moines) informed the FCC that it plans to go off the air June 5 and that the district is planning to sell the station. An application to transfer the license has not yet been filed. KDPS is a core Des Moines signal using 5.2kW/85m (class A).
Following its purchase of KPVL/89.1 (Postville), American Christian Radio reports that the station went off the air April 15 because the station’s transmitting equipment was not included in the sale.
Calvary Baptist Church was granted the callsign KPMT-LP for its future low-power FM station on 95.7 in Waterloo.
Marion Avenue Baptist Church was granted the callsign KEPL-LP for its future low-power FM station on 92.3 in Washington.
Minnesota
Fairmont Area Catholic Radio’s KYEJ/90.1 (Fairmont) has completed an upgrade from 175 Watts to 6kW. The group was also granted a modification to the construction permit for future station KRYX/91.9 (Fairmont) to change the planned facility from 6kW/29m to 830W/56m.
One Day Church Project was granted the callsign KBQA for its future station on 88.1 in Rochester. It has also applied to modify the construction permit to specify 4kW/44m (class A) rather than the original 20.5kW/102m (class C3).
Sinclair Buying Stations It Already Operates in Cedar Rapids, Omaha
Sinclair Broadcast Group is seeing FCC approval to purchase TV stations in Cedar Rapids and Omaha that it has already operated for decades.
In separate asset purchase agreements filed with the FCC on May 8 and May 9, Sinclair would buy KFXA/28.1 (Cedar Rapids) from Second Generation of Iowa for $1.9 million and KXVO/15.1 (Omaha) from Mitts Telecasting for $650,000. (The KFXA agreement was reached in 2008, at which time Sinclair purchased KFXA’s non-license assets for $17.1 million.)
Sinclair also owns KGAN/2.1 (Cedar Rapids) and KPTM/42.1 (Omaha). The filings explain that the transaction complies with ownership rules because neither KFXA nor KXVO ranks in the top four.
KGAN carries CBS on 2.1 and began carrying KFXA’s former FOX affiliation on 2.2 in January 2021, while KPTM carries FOX on 42.1 and began carrying KXVO’s former CW affiliation on 42.3 in September 2021.
KPTM has operated KXVO since 1994 and KGAN has operated KFXA since 2002.
KFXA is currently a primary DABL affiliate while KXVO is a primary affiliate of Roar, formerly known as TBD. KXVO serves as the NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) hosts for the Omaha market.
Connoisseur Media Buys Alpha, Owner of Dozens of Upper Midwest Stations
Connoisseur Media has announced plans to buy Alpha Media, which owns dozens of radio stations in the Upper Midwest.
In a May 5 news release, Connoisseur said it has entered into a local marketing agreement to operate the Alpha stations while it awaits FCC approval of the sale. The purchase price was not announced and the deal had not yet appeared in the FCC database as of the evening of May 5.
Connoisseur currently owns 11 stations on the East Coast. After purchasing Alpha, it will have 218 stations in 47 markets.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alpha Media into the Connoisseur family. In getting to know the Alpha team, it has become clear that we share many of the same values — a passion for serving our local communities, a deep commitment to our clients, supporting our colleagues and fostering a culture of integrity, creativity and achievement,” Jeff Warshaw, CEO of Connoisseur Media, said in the news release.
“This transaction underscores our commitment to the irreplaceable role local broadcasters play in providing news, information and entertainment that truly resonates. Together, we will build an industry-leading platform of broadcast and digital. I could not be more excited to get started,” Warshaw said.
Alpha’s holdings include dozens of stations in Iowa include:
- Fairfield, IA: KMCD/1570 and KKFD-FM/95.9
- Fort Dodge, IA: KWMT/540, KVFD/1400, KZLB/92.1, KKEZ/94.5, KIAQ/96.9 (Clarion), KXFT/99.7 (Manson), and KTLB/105.9 (Twin Lakes)
- Grinnell/Newton, IA: KCOB/1280 (Newton), KGRN/1410 (Grinnell), KCOB-FM/95.9 (Newton), and KRTI/106.7 (Grinnell)
- Mason City, IA: KGLO/1300, KRIB/1490, KIAI/93.9, KYTC/102.7 (Northwood), and KLSS/106.1
- Austin/Albert Lea, MN: KATE/1450 (Albert Lea), KAUS/1480 (Austin), KCPI/94.9 (Albert Lea), KAUS-FM/99.9 (Austin)
- Luverne, MN: KQAD/800 and KLQL/101.1
FCC Monitor
Iowa
Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting, owner of “Kinship Radio,” closed on its purchase of KRFH/88.7 (Marshalltown) and KTDV/91.9 (State Center) from Marshalltown Education Plus on May 1. The stations’ callsigns have been changed to KJLM and KJOM, respectively.
The FCC approved Sound in Spirit Broadcasting’s sales of KQLF/88.3 (Ottumwa) to from Sound in Spirit Broadcasting and KMDY/90.9 (Keokuk) to Good News Radio.The Edge Spectrum’s K31PP-D (Sioux City), which is currently off the air, has been granted a construction permit to move to a different site, remaining 100 Watts.
Minnesota
Edge Spectrum’s K31LN-D (Rochester) was granted a construction permit to move to a different site, remaining 100 Watts.
FCC Monitor
Iowa
The FCC approved a modification to Divine Mercy Educational Radio’s construction permit for a new low-power FM station on 101.1 in Fort Madison, moving farther west of Fort Madison than the original plan and increasing power slightly from 90 to 100 Watts. Divine Mercy already owns KDME-LP/98.3 (Fort Madison), which it has pledged to divest.
The Edge Spectrum’s K22LJ-D (Mason City) and K35PA-D (Mason City), which are currently off the air, were granted construction permits to move to a different site. K22LJ will upgrade slightly from 400 to 450 Watts while K35PA will downgrade slightly from 600 to 350 Watts.
The FCC approved Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting’s purchase of KRFH/88.7 (Marshalltown) and KTDV/91.9 (State Center) from Marshalltown Education Plus.
FCC Monitor
Iowa
Iowa Public Radio’s WOI/640 (Ames-Des Moines) has returned to its licensed facility of 5kW non-directional day and 1kW directional night. WOI had been using 250 Watts non-directional at night for the past several months due to a problem with its directional array.
American Christian Radio closed on its purchase of KPVL/89.1 (Postville) from Community Public Media on April 15.
The Edge Spectrum’s K22LJ-D (Mason City) and K35PA-D (Mason City), which are currently off the air, have applied to move to a different site. K22LJ would upgrade slightly from 400 to 450 Watts while K35PA would downgrade slightly from 600 to 350 Watts.
The Edge Spectrum’s K31PP-D (Sioux City), which is currently off the air, has applied to move to a different site, remaining 100 Watts.
FCC Monitor
Iowa
Educational Media Foundation’s KILV/107.5 (Castana) returned to full power on April 5 after a few weeks of reduced-power operation due to storm damage.
VMPP, LLC closed on its purchase of KWPC/860, KMCS/93.1, and KWPC translator K236CF/95.1 (Muscatine) on April 9.
God’s Grace Radio was granted a modification to the construction permit for its future low-power FM station KGDR-LP/106.7 (Dyersville) to specify a tower site closer to Dyersville, remaining 100 Watts.
Minnesota
The FCC has ordered Blooming Prairie Farm Radio’s KNXR/97.5 (Rochester) to show why it should not be downgraded, on paper, to class C0 to allow an upgrade by WAQE-FM/97.7 (Barron, WI). KNXR’s actual facility would not change — its current 100kW at 317m falls short of the minimum 451m antenna height required for full class C FM stations after a change to the standards in the 1990s. (The revision inserted a new Class C0 for 100kW stations between 300m and 450m in antenna height, allowing upgrades by stations that were previously blocked by Class C stations that did not build out their maximum facilities. Grandfathered Class C stations below 451m are only changed to C0 when another station seeks an upgrade.) KNXR could apply for an upgrade to at least 451m to keep its full class C status; no other Minnesota radio station has an antenna that high. WAQE-FM has proposed a 47kW at 156m (class C2) facility with a directional antenna limiting the signal towards KNXR.
Weekly Log: Two New ND’s
The Mason City Globe-Gazette and sister newspapers recently reported that Lisa Burger is now the regional news director for Allen Media’s stations, covering CBS affiliate KIMT/3.1 (Mason City-Rochester), NBC affiliate KWWL/7.1 (Waterloo-Cedar Rapids), and NBC affiliate WREX/13.1 (Rockford).
It’s not just the Minnesota Twins and the Milwaukee Brewers getting regional broadcast TV distribution in the Upper Midwest this year: at least ten St. Louis Cardinals games will air on Gray Media stations in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Ottumwa, Rochester-Mason City, and Sioux City. The first game is Friday, April 11.
Townsquare Media Takes Southern Minnesota AM Station Off Air
Townsquare Media’s KOLM/1520 (Rochester, MN) is the latest AM radio station to go off the air citing financial challenges.
The station went silent on April 1, with an April 9 FCC filing stating, “Due to economic conditions in the market, the licensee was forced to take the station off the air temporarily.”
The shutdown follows Townsquare’s silencing of KJOC/1170 (Davenport) a month earlier. Cumulus Media also recently took KBGG/1700 (Des Moines) off the air in what RadioInsight has reported is a national series of station shutdowns by the two companies.
KOLM, known as “The Ticket,” had carried syndicated Sports programming including Jim Rome and the Infinity Sports Network. It was one of two Sports stations in Rochester, competing with iHeartMedia’s KFAN/1270 and K228FY/93.5.
The station’s website remains active with content from other Townsquare Minnesota stations.
KOLM is licensed for 10kW day and 800 Watts night, using separate directional patterns during critical hours and at night. It does not have an FM translator.
FCC Monitor: KFAB Back to Full Power
Iowa
Educational Media Foundation’s KILV/107.5 (Castana) reports that its transmitter is operating at an unspecified reduced power due to storm damage.
After signing on earlier this year, Grace Baptist Church’s KSHW/88.3 (Glidden) has applied to upgrade from 100 Watts to 3kW/27m. The power increase would add Carroll to KSHW’s main coverage area.
Minnesota
Gray Media closed on its purchase of KXLT-TV/47.1 (Rochester) from SagamoreHill of Minnesota on March 21. Gray’s KTTC/10.1 (Rochester) had already operated KXLT through a long-standing agreement.
Nebraska
iHeartMedia’s KFAB/1110 (Omaha) notified the FCC that it returned to full power of 50kW, using its licensed nighttime directional pattern, on March 26. The station had briefly reduced to 12.5kW non-directional while repairs were made.
MyBridgeRadio’s K257GW/99.3 (Omaha) has filed a license to cover application requesting program test authority to transmit from its new tower in western Omaha, using a 140-Watt directional pattern that limits the signal to the east. K257GW had previously transmitted from Springfield.
Cumulus Takes Des Moines AM, FM Translator Off Air
Cumulus Media’s KBGG/1700 (Des Moines) and its FM translator, K267CO/101.7 (Des Moines), have gone off the air.
KBGG had carried syndicated Sports Talk as “The Champ.” RadioInsight reports KBGG is one of a few dozen stations taken silent by Cumulus nationwide in March, though it is the only known Cumulus station in the Upper Midwest to be affected.
KBGG has been removed from the station directory on Cumulus’ website and its former website appears to be down. Its Facebook page remains active with links to Cumulus podcasts.
K267CO was granted as a result of the AM Revitalization filing window and, as a result, can only be used to relay KBGG. Its 130-Watt signal transmits from the northwestern suburb of Grimes and delivers a strong signal to roughly half of the metro area.
KBGG, like most other “expanded band” stations, is licensed for 10kW day and 1kW night, non-directional. It is the successor to the former KKSO/1390.
“The Champ” had competed with the locally-focused Sports format on iHeartMedia’s KXNO-FM/106.3 (Ankeny-Des Moines) and KXNO/1460 (Des Moines), and ESPN Radio on Saga’s KRNT/1350 (Des Moines) and K271CO/102.1 (Des Moines).
FCC Monitor: KFAB at Reduced Nighttime Power
Iowa
Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting requested to change the callsign of KRFH/88.7 (Marshalltown) to KJLM, effective April 9. Minn-Iowa is in the process of buying the station from Marshalltown Education Plus.
Northwestern Media’s K202CG/88.3 (Spirit Lake), formerly K210CG/89.9, reports that it has returned to the air following its frequency change. The translator was forced to leave 89.9 by the sign-on of a new full-power station in the region. It remains 250 Watts and relays KNWC-FM (Sioux Falls).
Nebraska
iHeartMedia’s KFAB/1110 (Omaha) has been granted special temporary authority to operate with 12.5kW non-directional at night, rather than its usual 50kW directional, due to antenna feed problems. KFAB’s licensed nighttime pattern severely limits the signal to the east. The station’s filing says they have a team working to solve the issue as soon as possible.
Iowa “Lift FM” Signals Sold to Separate Christian Broadcasters
A pair of Christian radio stations in southern Iowa is being sold to two different broadcasters.
According to FCC filings, Community Broadcasting is buying KQLF/88.3 (Ottumwa) from Sound in Spirit Broadcasting for $20,000. Meanwhile, Good News Radio is buying KMDY/90.9 (Keokuk) for $50,000.
Community Broadcasting is headed by Richard P. Bott and its stations carry the Kansas-based Bott Radio Network. The network has dozens of stations around the Midwest, including one in Keokuk and two in northwestern Iowa.
Good News Radio owns ten full-power stations in Illinois operating as “Great News Radio.”
“Lift FM” is also currently heard on W272AL/102.3 (Fairfield), which is owned by Fairfield Monthly Meeting of Friends and is not included in either deal.
Iowa Catholic Radio, “La Ley” to Swap Stations in Des Moines
Iowa Catholic Radio announced that its programming in Des Moines will move from KWKY/1150 and K233BT/94.5 (Des Moines) to KDLS-FM/105.5 (Perry-Des Moines). KDLS-FM will change its callsign to KIHS; the former KIHS/88.5 (Adel) changed its callsign to KQBV on March 18.
“We really needed to do something to serve our own core metro, but this will be a large enough signal that it will reach even further than that,” Iowa Catholic Radio Director Matt Willkom said in an on-air announcement.
Meanwhile, KWKY and K233BT will become the new home of KDLS-FM’s current Spanish-language format, “La Ley.” KWKY will change its callsign to KLDX, dropping a callsign that had been in use since 1959.
Trinity Communications, parent of Iowa Catholic Radio, purchased KDLS-FM two years ago. The station upgraded to cover Des Moines in 1995.
105.5 also has a construction permit to switch its antenna to non-directional while remaining 10kW/157m (class C3) from its present site. The change will improve the station’s signal to Ames.
Iowa Catholic Radio is heard on eight stations around the state besides the Des Moines signals.
FCC Monitor: Keokuk FM Sold
Iowa
Good News Radio is buying KMDY/90.9 (Keokuk) from Sound in Spirit Broadcasting for $50,000. The buyer owns ten full-power stations in Illinois operating as “Great News Radio.”
St. Gabriel Communications’ KIHS/88.5 (Adel) requested a callsign change to KQBV effective March 18.
For the first time in five years, the FCC has approved co-ownership of two top-four stations in the same market, granting a waiver of a rule that normally prohibits such a combination.
Gray announced March 11 that its $490,500 purchase of FOX affiliate KXLT/47.1 (Rochester) from SagamoreHill of Minnesota has received FCC approval. Gray already owns NBC affiliate KTTC/10.1 (Rochester).
KTTC and KXLT have already been operated jointly for decades, with KXLT operating from Gray’s studio and airing a 9 p.m. newscast produced by KTTC.
“Gray appreciates the FCC Media Bureau’s careful consideration of our waiver request and its recognition of the marketplace in which today’s local television stations compete for viewers and advertisers,” said Kevin Latek, Gray’s Chief Legal and Development Officer, in a news release. “We look forward to leveraging the combined resources of KTTC-TV and KXLT-TV to improve service for viewers in the Rochester market.”
In a letter announcing its decision, the FCC writes that Gray and SagamoreHill have met all of the requirements to show that a failing station waiver should be granted. Those requirements include low audience shares, negative cash flow if the station were operated as a standalone, public interest benefits, and the lack of an out-of-market buyer.
“The combined operations of KXLT-TV and KTTC will pose minimal harm to our diversity and competition goals because the financial situation of KXLT-TV hampers its ability to be a viable voice in the market absent a ‘failing station’ waiver,” the letter states.
The application noted that Gray plans enhancements to its news coverage once the purchase is complete. It also plans to launch a translator for KXLT in Mason City, Iowa, where the FOX affiliate currently lacks broadcast coverage.
Gray’s 2019 purchase of a second top-four station in Sioux Falls represents one of the few other times that the FCC has allowed such a combination.
Competing stations in the Rochester market include Hubbard ABC affiliate KAAL/6.1 (Austin), Allen Media CBS affiliate KIMT/3.1 (Mason City), and two PBS stations. Both KAAL and KIMT have moved news operations to Rochester in recent decades.
Townsquare Takes Quad Cities AM, FM Translator Off Air
Townsquare Media has taken an AM station and its FM translator in the Quad Cities off the air, citing the economy.
FCC filings indicate KBOB/1170 (Davenport) and K281DB/104.1 (Davenport) went silent on March 1.
In requests for special temporary authority to remain silent, the stations state, “Due to economic conditions in the market, the licensee was forced to take the station off the air temporarily. The licensee respectfully requests special temporary authority for the station to remain silent. The licensee will promptly notify the Commission when it is able to resume station operations.”
KBOB is the only AM station in Townsquare’s Quad Cities group. K281DB can only be used to relay KBOB as a condition of its grant during the AM revitalization filing window.
KBOB’s website, espnquadcities.com, has been rebranded as “Quad Cities Sports Network.” Townsquare content continues to be posted on the site and its associated Facebook page, which continues to display the ESPN logo as of March 6.
The stations’ silence leaves iHeartMedia’s “FOX Sports 1230” (WFXN Moline) as the only all-Sports station in the Quad Cities.
FCC Monitor
Iowa
Iowa PBS’ KRIN/32.1 (RF 35, Waterloo) submitted a filing indicating it is now transmitting from 588 meters above average terrain, marking the apparent end of a three-station project at the KCRG tower near Walker. The antenna is shared with KGAN/2.1 (RF 29, Cedar Rapids) and KCRG/9.1 (RF 32, Cedar Rapids). KRIN continues to transmit with 250kW while KGAN uses 850kW and KCRG uses 1,000kW.
The FCC approved VMPP, LLC’s purchase of KMCS/93.1 (Muscatine), KWPC/860 (Muscatine), and KWPC translator K236CF/95.1 (Muscatine) from the trustee for JAM Media Solutions.
FCC Monitor
Iowa
American Christian Radio is buying KPVL/89.1 (Postville) from Community Public Media for $25,000. The South Dakota-based buyer owns three stations that recently signed on in Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota and has construction permits for one new station in Indiana and two in New Mexico. The 3kW KPVL currently runs a broad Classic Hits mix.
The FCC has dismissed Holy Mother Mary’s application for a new low-power FM station on 98.3 in Cascade, denying two waivers the applicant had requested. The applicant had sought a 25-Watt facility that falls just short of the FCC’s minimum coverage area for LPFM stations and that was short-spaced to KHAK/98.1 (Cedar Rapids). In its decision, the FCC says, “HMM does not cite to special circumstances that would justify its Waiver Requests.”
Following a move by KDAO-FM (Eldora) to 92.9, Fieldview Broadcasting’s K225BZ/92.9 (Webster City) has completed a move to 99.1 as K256DM. The translator remains 250 Watts and continues to relay KZWC/1570 (Webster City).
Titan Broadcasting’s KGRS/107.3 (Burlington) has applied to move to a tower about seven miles west of its current site, remaining 100kW and increasing its antenna height above average terrain from 131 to 199 meters. The move would put Mount Pleasant within KGRS’ city-grade contour and also strengthen its signal to Fairfield and Keosauqua.
FCC Monitor
Iowa
Faith Broadcasting Network/TCT’s KWKB/20.1 (Iowa City) resumed full-power operations on Jan. 31. The station had reported in September that it was transmitting at half of its licensed 1,000kW due to a transmitter issue.
After being displaced by the sign-on of a new full-power station, the University of Northwestern-St. Paul’s K210CG/89.9 (Spirit Lake) has been granted a construction permit to move to 88.3 as K202CG. It will remain 250 Watts and relay KNWC-FM/96.5 (Sioux Falls).
Edge Spectrum requested an extension of special temporary authority for K22LJ-D (Mason City), K35PA-D (Mason City), and K31PP-D (Sioux City) to remain off the air.
FCC Monitor
Iowa
Grace Baptist Church has signed on new 100-Watt station KSHW/88.3 (Glidden). Posts on the station’s Facebook page state that it signed on Jan. 25 and is carrying programming from VCY America.
West Des Moines-based St. Gabriel Communications, which operates the Iowa Catholic Radio network, has requested program test authority for new station KDVM/89.3 (Mason City). KDVM will transmit with 240 Watts.
The University of Northwestern-St. Paul’s K210CG/89.9 (Spirit Lake) went off the air Jan. 16 due to the sign-on of new station KCSL/89.9 (Spencer), which reaches the Spirit Lake area. K210CG has a construction permit to move to 88.3.
Sinclair’s KGAN/2.1 (RF 29, Cedar Rapids) submitted a license to cover application indicating it is now using the new combined antenna on the KCRG-TV tower, with KGAN using 850kW at 588 meters above average terrain. KGAN had been temporarily using 697.2kW at 500m during construction.
The FCC has granted La Fiesta 971 LLC’s K246CJ/97.1 (Sioux City) a move to a different transmitter site. K246CJ will relocate from its current tower site in the northeastern part of the city to the KTFC/103.3 tower just east of the city, remaining 250 Watts and widening its coverage area due to the higher antenna height. It will continue to relay KZOI/1250 (Dakota City, NE).
FCC Monitor
Iowa
Grace Baptist Church has signed on new 100-Watt station KSHW/88.3 (Glidden). Posts on the station’s Facebook page state that it signed on Jan. 25 and is carrying programming from VCY America.
West Des Moines-based St. Gabriel Communications, which operates the Iowa Catholic Radio network, has requested program test authority for new station KDVM/89.3 (MThe University of Northwestern-St. Paul’s K210CG/89.9 (Spirit Lake) went off the air Jan. 16 due to the sign-on of new station KCSL/89.9 (Spencer), which reaches the Spirit Lake area. K210CG has a construction permit to move to 88.3.
Sinclair’s KGAN/2.1 (RF 29, Cedar Rapids) submitted a license to cover application indicating it is now using the new combined antenna on the KCRG-TV tower, with KGAN using 850kW at 588 meters above average terrain. KGAN had been temporarily using 697.2kW at 500m during construction.
The FCC has granted La Fiesta 971 LLC’s K246CJ/97.1 (Sioux City) a move to a different transmitter site. K246CJ will relocate from its current tower site in the northeastern part of the city to the KTFC/103.3 tower just east of the city, remaining 250 Watts and widening its coverage area due to the higher antenna height. It will continue to relay KZOI/1250 (Dakota City, NE).
Allen Media CBS affiliate KIMT/3.1 (Mason City-Rochester) is now simulcasting mid-newscast segments of national news from sister NBC affiliate KWWL/7.1 (Waterloo-Cedar Rapids). The practice is the same as is already used by Allen’s four ABC affiliates in Wisconsin. With the change, KIMT has switched to the Quincy Media-era news graphics package used by KWWL, which was previously used by KTTC/10.1 (Rochester).
RadioInsight reports that Travis Justice has departed iHeart Sports outlet KXNO-FM/106.3 (Ankeny-Des Moines) to co-host a new streaming show with Ross Peterson, who the station let go last fall amid national layoffs.
Update: Allen Media Weather Changes Postponed, Stations Report
Days after Allen Media Group announced plans to centralize weather forecasts at its TV stations, some Allen stations are reporting the plan is on hold.
On Jan. 18, Allen issued a news release saying that a team at The Weather Channel, which it owns, would produce forecasts for the company’s stations and that some local meteorologists would move to the network’s headquarters in Atlanta. The full impact on individual stations was not announced.
Two meteorologists from KIMT/3 (Mason City-Rochester) and three from KWWL/7 (Waterloo) had announced on social media that their jobs were being affected.
Allen Media also owns WQOW/18 (Eau Claire), WXOW/19 (La Crosse), WKOW/27 (Madison), and WAOW/9 (Wausau).
However, on Jan. 23, Allen’s WAAY/31 (Huntsville, AL) reported that Allen had “decided to postpone the full implementation of this strategy.” Allen’s WTVA/9 (Tupelo, MS) reported that the “decision has mostly been reversed.” The stations’ new statements were first reported nationally by NewscastStudio.
As of Thursday evening, an updated statement from Allen Media itself was not seen on the company’s website or the newswire which distributed the initial news release.
The changes would have been the latest in a series that included job cuts and the launch of regional newscast segments in some markets last month. The weather plan received national attention from NPR, CNN, and other outlets.
Weather has long been a leading driver of local TV news viewership. Stations of all ownership groups invest heavily in promoting their weather coverage and often position their meteorologists as local weather experts.
Several Meteorologists Out Amid Allen Media Changes
Several Iowa and Minnesota meteorologists have confirmed that they are affected by Allen Media Group’s move to centralize weather forecasts.
The company issued a news release on Jan. 18 confirming that a team at The Weather Channel, which it owns, will produce forecasts for the company’s stations and that some local meteorologists will move to the network’s headquarters in Atlanta. The full impact on individual stations was not announced.
Hunter Donahoe and Sara Knox of KIMT/3 (Mason City-Rochester) and Mark Schnackenberg, Brandon Libby, and Josh Franson of KWWL/7 (Waterloo) confirmed in social media posts that they are among those affected.
Allen Media also owns WQOW/18 (Eau Claire), WXOW/19 (La Crosse), WKOW/27 (Madison), and WAOW/9 (Wausau). Any potential impacts at those stations have not been announced.
The changes are the latest in a series that included job cuts and the launch of regional newscast segments in some markets last month. The weather changes have received national attention from NPR, CNN, and other outlets.
Weather has long been a leading driver of local TV news viewership. Stations of all ownership groups invest heavily in promoting their weather coverage and often position their meteorologists as local weather experts.
FCC Monitor: Iowa Public Radio Surrenders New FM Permit
Iowa
Iowa Public Radio has surrendered the construction permit for new station KICQ/90.7 (Manly), which would have served the Mason City area. The permit had faced a Jan. 13 construction deadline. KICQ would have replaced IPR Classical translator K214BA/90.7 (Mason City); the network also operates full-power AM and FM stations in Mason City carrying the network’s News and Studio One services.
La Fiesta 971 LLC’s K246CJ/97.1 (Sioux City) applied to relocate from its current tower site in the northeastern part of the city to the KTFC/103.3 tower just east of the city, remaining 250 Watts and widening its coverage area due to the higher antenna height. K246CJ will continue to relay KZOI/1250 (Dakota City, NE).
Townsquare Media’s KBOB/1170 (Davenport) was granted another extension of special temporary authority to transmit with its nighttime directional antenna pattern 24 hours per day while it continues repairs. The latest filing says new components have been installed, but additional issues have been discovered with the antenna system.
FCC Monitor: Three Small New FM Stations Sign On in Minnesota
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
iHeartMedia’s WOC/1420 (Davenport) requested an extension of special temporary authority to operate at an unspecified reduced power or variance, stating, “Due to lack of available manpower no additional work has been completed to repair this facility.” The station’s original 2021 filing said several array parameters suddenly went out of tolerance.
The FCC granted construction permits for Saga Broadcasting’s K252EX/98.3 (Spencer) and K273DD/102.5 (Spencer) to move their antennas 22 meters lower on their existing tower, remaining 250 Watts. As previously reported here, the project comes after the translators reported antenna damage that forced them to reduce power until the new antenna is installed.
New Catholic Radio Station Signs On in Northwestern Iowa
The Iowa Catholic Radio Network has signed on a new station in northwestern Iowa, its first in that region of the state.
An FCC filing indicates KCSL/89.9 (Spencer) began operating under program test authority on Dec. 10. The filing came a day after the network alerted social media followers that the new sign-on was imminent:
KSCL transmits with 22kW/84m (class C3) from a tower north of Spencer, also reaching the Iowa Great Lakes area of Spirit Lake and Okoboji. It was granted as a result of a 2021 FCC filing window for new non-commercial FM stations.
KCSL and Iowa Catholic Radio Network are operated by West Des Moines-based St. Gabriel Communications. The group owns four full-power FM’s, one AM, and one FM translator and has construction permits for additional full-power FM’s in Albia and Odebolt; the network is also heard on three low-power FM’s owned by local groups.
It is separate from Sioux City-based St. Gabriel Communications Ltd., which operates the “Siouxland Catholic Radio” network of KFHC/88.1 (Ponca-Sioux City) and KOIA/88.1 (Storm Lake).
New Buyer for Muscatine Radio Stations
The trustee for JAM Media Solutions has filed a new application with the FCC to transfer the licenses of three radio signals in Muscatine.
The deal calls for VMPP, LLC to pay $250,000 for KMCS/93.1 (Muscatine), KWPC/860 (Muscatine), KWPC translator K236CF/95.1 (Muscatine). The application includes a court order showing that a judge has approved the sale.
VMPP is owned by John Krieger and Joey Krieger of Muscatine, who have no other broadcast interests.
A previous proposal to sell the stations to Davis Media LLC was withdrawn in May 2024.
KMCS carries a mainstream Rock format while KWPC and K236CF carry Classic Country.
Muscatine is about 25 miles west of Davenport. The city also receives several strong commercial radio signals from the Quad Cities, including one which is licensed to Muscatine, as well as a few signals from Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
Gray Media Group Seeks Purchase of Rochester FOX Affiliate
Gray Media Group is requesting a waiver from the FCC to purchase the FOX affiliate that it already operates alongside its NBC affiliate in Rochester, MN.
KXLT-TV/47.1 (Rochester) is currently owned by SagamoreHill of Minnesota and is operated alongside Gray NBC affiliate KTTC/10.1 (Rochester) through joint sales and shared services agreements. The agreements began more than two decades ago, prior to Gray’s purchase of KTTC from Quincy Media.
The asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC calls for Gray Local Media to pay SagamoreHill of Minnesota Licenses $490,500 for KXLT-TV, subject to prorations.
FCC rules normally prohibit a company that owns one top-four rated station in a market from buying a second top-four rated station. Gray says KXLT-TV meets the criteria for a failing station waiver that would allow the sale.
The criteria for a failing station waiver include a low all-day audience share, negative cash flow for three consecutive years, public interest benefits, and the lack of an “out-of-market buyer willing and able to acquire the station at other than an artificially depressed price.” Specific data is redacted from the public filing.
The filing also says that if the deal is approved, Gray intends to “explore the opportunities it has to expand local programming production” in the market, citing the fact that, as a FOX affiliate, KXLT-TV has fewer network commitments and more opportunities to insert local programming.
Competing stations in the market include Hubbard ABC affiliate KAAL/6.1 (Austin-Rochester), Allen Media CBS affiliate KIMT/3.1 (Mason City-Austin-Rochester), PBS station KSMQ/15.1 (Austin), and Iowa PBS station KYIN/24.1 (Mason City).
Iowa Station Switches from Rock to Hot AC
LA Communications’ KDHK/100.5 (Decorah) has started 2025 with a switch from mainstream Rock to Hot Adult Contemporary.
Keeping its “Hawk” monitor, the former “Hawk Rock” became “The Hawk” at midnight on the morning of Jan. 1. The new format is positioned as “the Tri-State’s best variety.”
“Hawk Rock” had launched in 2019 after a station sale, replacing an Adult Alternative format.
KDHK is part of a cluster that also includes Country, Classic Hits, and Adult Contemporary formats serving northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and southwestern Wisconsin.