Council Bluffs/ Omaha
iHeartMedia has launched a Rock format on two recently-launched translators in Omaha after a couple of months stunting with Christmas music, but the way the translators are set up suggests another format may eventually be headed for one of them. K235CD/94.9 (Omaha) and K272FE/102.3 (Council Bluffs-Omaha) are now “Rock 94-9 and 102-3,” with 94.9’s programming originating on the HD2 channel of KISO/96.1 (Omaha) and 102.3 coming from the HD2 of KFFF/93.3 (Bennington-Omaha). The new format primarily competes with Journal Broadcasting’s “Z92” (KEZO/92.3 Omaha). K235CD and K272FE carry separate iterations of the same playlist, with imaging mentioning “Rock 94-9 and 102-3” on both frequencies but separate top-of-the-hour ID’s. Both transmit from a tower at the WOWT-TV building with virtually identical coverage areas, though K235CD’s 110 Watts go slightly farther than K272FE’s 99 Watts. The similar coverage areas and separate feeds for each translator suggest that “Rock” may not be the long-term plan for both. (12/27/2014)


Ames/Des Moines
Nexstar Broadcasting has announced plans to rebrand ABC affiliate WOI-DT/5 (Ames-Des Moines) as “Local 5 News” starting Jan. 5. The station will debut a new anchor team: Jack Miller, who once worked in Cedar Rapids, will anchor evening newscasts alongside station veteran Stephanie Angleson, who currently anchors the morning newscast. The new “Good Morning Iowa” will be anchored by Sabrina Ahmed and Elias Johnson. WOI is also gettig equipment upgrades and a refreshed news set. Nexstar recently bought the station, currently branded as “ABC5,” from Citadel Communications, which failed to pull the station out of a decades-long ratings drought. Nexstar is also in the process of buying Pappas CW affiliate KCWI/23 (Ames-Des Moines), which does not have a full news department but does run a local morning show. (12/11/2014)


ALL-CHRISTMAS UPDATE:
Santa’s list got longer Monday (12/8) as Westwood One’s syndicated Adult Standards format and the non-commercial Family Radio network both switched to all-Christmas formats. The Westwood One network, which has affiliates including KLBB/1220 (Stillwater-Minneapolis), WNAM/1280 (Neenah-Menasha-Appleton), and KRNT/1350 (Des Moines), had already been playing a significant amount of Christmas music since Thanksgiving along with some songs from its regular Soft Oldies playlist. Meanwhile, Family Radio has set aside most of its regular schedule of Christian teaching and preaching in favor of traditional Christmas music. Follow the full list of this year’s flips here. (12/8/2014)


Omaha/Council Bluffs
Classic TV network Antenna TV is coming to Omaha in January, according to an announcement on the network’s Facebook page. Antenna TV will be carried on KMTV/3.2, replacing Live Well Network, which is leaving the air nationally. KMTV, owned by Journal Broadcasting, carries CBS on its main channel. (12/6/2014)


Cedar Rapids
The Antenna TV affiliation in the Cedar Rapids market is moving from KWKB/20.2 (Iowa City) to KCRG-DT/9.3 (Cedar Rapids). The Gazette, which is co-owned with KCRG, reported in Monday’s print edition that KCRG-DT3 will begin carrying the classic TV network on Jan. 19, 2015. 9.3 will carry news and weather updates from KCRG-TV9 News during Antenna TV programming. KCRG-DT3 currently carries Live Well Network, which is leaving the air nationally. (12/3/2014)


Ames/Des Moines
Saga Broadcasting has brought more “More” to Iowa: The former “Lite 104.9” (KLLT Spencer) is now “More 104.9,” with a freshened-up version of Adult Contemporary. The move came Monday, a month after the FCC database says its callsign was changed to KMRR. Saga also runs “More 104” (KMYR/104.1 Ames-Des Moines). (12/3/2014)


Dunkerton(Waterloo)
The FCC has deleted what might’ve been a new rimshot FM station for the Waterloo market. Commission records indicate KCOO/103.9 (Dunkerton) had been off the air since at least Feb. 29, 2012, far longer than the one year maximum set by federal law. On Oct. 7, the FCC Media Bureau’s Audio Division sent a letter to KCOO owner Magnolia Radio Corp. giving it 30 days to prove that KCOO had been on the air. The license was deleted on Nov. 21. It doesn’t appear KCOO was ever on the air for anything other than testing. Ace Radio Corp. won the construction permit for the 6kW/95m station in 2006 with a $455,000 bid. Ace sold the CP to Magnolia as part of a nine-station deal in 2009; Magnolia applied for KCOO’s license to cover in 2011, followed by a series of requests for special temporary authority to remain silent. A 2012 plan to sell the station to Matinee Media was never consummated. (12/1/2014)


ALL-CHRISTMAS UPDATE:
At least eight Upper Midwest radio stations celebrated Thanksgiving by starting up the Christmas music. Flips to the all-Christmas format on Thursday morning included “B107.3” (KBBK Lincoln), “92.7 The Drive” (KZDR Kindred-Fargo), KRIB/1490 (Mason City), “Super Hits 106” (KIYX Sageville-Dubuque), and “Lake 98.1” (WLKN Cleveland-Sheboygan). Several other stations made the switch earlier in the week, bringing the total to at least 35 all-Christmas stations in the Upper Midwest by Thanksgiving morning. Follow the full list of this year’s flips here. (11/27/2014)


Des Moines
Hearst CBS affiliate KCCI/8 (Des Moines) already carries “Me,” and soon it’ll be home to “My” as well. The station has announced plans to launch “My Des Moines” on channel 8.3 on Monday, Dec. 1, apparently carrying programming from MyNetworkTV and the Heroes & Icons network. H&I is a relatively new classic TV network launched by Weigel Broadcasting, operator of the classic Me-TV network already seen on KCCI/8.2. MyNetworkTV was previously seen in the market on Pappas’ KDMI/19.1 (Des Moines), which continues to carry ThisTV. (11/26/2014)


ALL-CHRISTMAS UPDATE:
The Friday before Thanksgiving has proven to be a big day for all-Christmas flips this year. Those making the flip include:

Journal’s “Star 104.5” (KSRZ Omaha)

Saga’s “More 104” (KMYR/104.1 Ames-Des Moines)

 (11/21/2014)


ALL-CHRISTMAS UPDATE:
Saga Broadcasting’s “More 104″ (KMYR Ames-Des Moines) is promoting a Christmas preview weekend beginning Friday.”Life 101.9” (KNWS-FM Waterloo-Cedar Rapids) will have two all-Christmas weekends before a full flip on Dec. 13. (11/13/2014)


SIOUX City
Quincy Newspapers NBC affiliate KTIV/4.1 (Sioux City) is operating at reduced power due to a burnout in its transmission line. The station reports that the burnout happened early Friday morning, and that it returned to the air Sunday with about 20 percent of normal power from an antenna mounted about 700 feet up its 1,987-foot tower northeast of Sioux City. Nexstar ABC affiliate KCAU/9 (Sioux City) began temporarily carrying KTIV programming on channel 9.2, which normally carries Live Well Network, on Saturday. KTIV also carries CW+ on 4.2 and Me-TV on 4.3. (11/10/2014)


Sioux City & Dubuque
iHeartMedia’s “KG95” (KGLI/95.5 Sioux City) joined the all-Christmas list over the weekend. Meanwhile,  Dubuque’s “Super Hits 106” (KIYX/106.1 Sageville) are promoting pending flips… (11/9/2014)


Cedar Rapids/Iowa City
Calvary Chapel Iowa has signed on new low-power FM station KEWR-LP/97.5 (Cedar Rapids), which is carrying the syndicated HeartSong Radio format. KEWR-LP transmits with 67 Watts from northeast Cedar Rapids and is apparently being rebroadcast on the larger signal of Edgewater Broadcasting’s new K286BY/105.1, which is licensed to Iowa City but transmits from southwest Cedar Rapids with 250 Watts. (11/9/2014)


Webster City
FM translator K225BZ/92.9 (Webster City) has signed on, relaying the Oldies/Classic Hits format of KQWC/1570. The station reports the 250-Watt translator signed on Oct. 31. Riverfront Broadcasting of Iowa, LLC is in the process of buying the KQWC, K225BZ, KQWC-FM/95.7, and stations in three other communities from NRG Media. (11/9/2014)


Clinton:
Christmas has come to the Quad Cities on iHeartMedia’s “Mix 96” (KMXG Clinton). The flip happened at Midnight early Nov.5, which is several days earlier than last year. Prior to last year, “Mix 96” had run Christmas preview weekends until making the full transition later in the month. Follow the full list of this year’s flips here. (11/5/2014)


Ames/Des Moines:
Nexstar Broadcasting is forming an ABC/CW duopoly in the Des Moines market with the purchase of KCWI-TV/23 (Ames) from Pappas Telecasting for $3.5 million. Nexstar recently purchased WOI-TV/5 (Ames). The sale will split up a current duopoly of KCWI and My/This affiliate KDMI/19 (Des Moines), maintaining the FCC minimum of eight full-power ownership groups in the market. (11/4/2014)


Kensett
KIMT-TV reports
that new station KWGH-LP/97.1 (Kensett) will officially sign on Saturday, Nov. 1. The 28-Watt station is owned by Elk Creek Lutheran Church and transmits from a site west of Kensett near I-35. The TV report says KWGH will carry a variety of music and talk. (10/31/2014)


Omaha/Council Bluffs
iHeartMedia has brought Christmas to Omaha at the earliest date on record: New FM translator K272FE/102.3 has become “Christmas 102.3.” The translator signed on a few weeks ago and first relayed News/Talker KFAB/1110 before switching through several other iHeartMedia stations this week. RadioInsight reports the Christmas format is originating on the HD2 signal of KFFF/93.3 (Bennington-Omaha). K272FE is licensed to Council Bluffs and transmits from a tower at the WOWT-TV building in Omaha with 99 Watts. Let the speculation begin about what format will come to the frequency on Dec. 26. (10/31/2014)


MINNESOTA/IOWA/SOUTH DAKOTA/WISCONSIN:
DTV America Corporation is buying the construction permits for 18 low-power TV stations in the Upper Midwest in separate transactions. It’ll pay Casey C. Jones $68,000 for CP’s to serve Rochester, St. Cloud, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City for $68,000, and separately pay John D. Roehrs $16,000 for a CP in Wausau and three in Georgia. The transactions value each CP at $4,000. DTV America and DTV America II have 33 other CP’s for new LPTV stations in the Upper Midwest and earlier this year announced plans to buy an existing Minneapolis LPTV station and convert it to a Telemundo affiliate. (10/28/2014)


Otttumwa
KLEE/1480 (Ottumwa) has signed on 50-Watt FM translator K299BA/107.7, relaying its Oldies format. The station’s Facebook page announced the translator launch on Oct. 21. KLEE is owned by O-Town Communications along with one other AM station and four FM stations in the market. (10/27/2014)


Muscatine
KWPC/860 (Muscatine) has switched from Oldies to Classic-based Country following the launch of FM translator K236CF/95.1. The station continues to run local news, sports, and other information programming. KWPC, along with “Vintage Sound 93.1” (KMCS Muscatine), is owned by Wayne W. Whalen’s WPW Broadcasting. (10/22/2014)


IOWA:
NRG Media is selling six stations in central and north-central Iowa to Riverfront Broadcasting of Iowa, LLC for $3.5 million. The stations include KWBG/1590 (Boone), KQWC/1570 (Webster City), KQWC-FM/95.7 (Webster City), KHBT/97.7 (Humboldt), KLGZ/1600 (Algona) and its FM translator, and KLGA-FM/92.7 (Algona). The deal also includes a construction permit for an FM translator to relay KQWC, which NRG is in the process of buying from iHeartMedia. Riverfront Broadcasting, LLC is owned by Carolyn and Doyle Becker of Yankton, SD, and is the licensee of nine stations in South Dakota. Riverfront Broadcasting of Iowa, LLC is owned 60% by Riverfront Broadcasting, LLC and 40% by Fieldview Broadcasting, LLC, which is held by Danette and Kirk Graeve of Dallas Center, Iowa. (10/14/2014)


IOWA/MICHIGAN/MINNESOTA/NEBRASKA/WISCONSIN:
New subchannel Grit is coming to nine more Upper Midwest markets thanks to an agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group. According to a post on the network’s Facebook page, cities getting Grit include Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Sioux City, Omaha, Quincy, and Marquette. Currently, Grit is only available on stations in Lincoln and Ottumwa in the region. The network features war, western, and crime movies targetting men. Its sister network, Escape, carries movies and other programming aimed at women, but Sinclair has not agreed to carry that network. (10/9/2014)


Mason City
Digity 3E Corp. is buying the construction permit for a new FM translator to relay KRIB/1490 (Mason City). Digity will pay David M. Stout $25,000 for K244FA/96.7, which is currently permitted for 250 Watts from a tower owned by the University of Northern Iowa near the North Iowa Area Community College. KRIB carries Westwood One’s Adult Standards format. (9/25/2014)


Boone/Des Moines

After first denying the application, the FCC has now approved Truth Broadcasting’s plan to move Christian Talker KTIA-FM/99.3 (Boone) closer to Des Moines.

KTIA will change its community of license to Huxley and transmit from a tower near Sheldahl, using 5.3kW/95m (class A). Its protected contour will include Ames and much of Des Moines. KTIA’s current facility covers Boone and Ames.

Commission staff had first denied the application last December, saying that if the Huxley application was approved, KTIA could theoretically apply for a facility covering more than half of the Ames Urbanized Area. Such a move would go against rules intended to preserve rural radio service. The FCC has later conceded that it failed to consider the existence of KDAO-FM/99.5 (Eldora-Marshalltown), which would need to be protected, when looking at theoretical sites.

In approving the application, the FCC said it didn’t agree with competitor Saga Broadcasting’s assessment that the proposed Huxley facility would provide a city-grade (70 dbu) signal to 52 percent of the Ames Urbanized Area, 2 percentage points more than allowed under the rural radio rules. The FCC said its own calculation found the figure is 49 percent.

This is KTIA’s second attempt to move closer to Des Moines. The original application would’ve changed the community of license to Johnston and given the station city-grade coverage of most of the capital city, but it was rejected due to the rural radio rules.

KTIA’s move will require KPUL-FM/99.5 (Winterset) to move to 101.7, which, in turn, will displace Iowa Public Radio translator K269EJ/101.7 (Des Moines). The translator already has a construction permit to move to 97.7. Truth will have to pay KPUL’s cost for changing frequency. (9/21/2014)


Three Eagles – DIGITY 3E LICENSE, LLC
Three Eagles is no more.
The sale to DIGITY 3E LICENSE, LLC has been finalized. (09/12/2014)


KARE, KMSP WIN EMMY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE:

TV journalists from across the Upper Midwest gathered at Target Field Saturday night for the 2014 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Awards. KARE/11 (Minneapolis) took home the award for station excellence, while FOX 9 (KMSP Minneapolis) won the award for news excellence. Stations winning awards in best newcast categories included KMSP (2 awards), WCCO-TV/4 (Minneapolis), WDIO/10 (Duluth, 2 awards), KTIV/4 (Sioux City, 2 awards), KCCI/8 (Des Moines), WHO-TV/13 (Des Moines), KTTC/10 (Rochester), and KIMT/3 (Mason City). WDAZ/8 (Devils Lake-Grand Forks) took home its first-ever Emmy Award, winning in the team coverage category. The ceremony included Silver Circle honors for longtime KCCI anchor/reporters Kevin and Mollie Cooney as well as political reporters Pat Kessler of WCCO-TV and Tom Hauser of KSTP-TV/5 (St. Paul). A complete list of winners is available here. (9/14/2014)


Webster City

Clear Channel is selling the construction permit for a new FM translator in Webster City to NRG Media, which owns the two full-power radio stations in the city. NRG will pay $15,000 for 250-Watt translator K225BZ/92.9, which had already specified NRG’s KQWC/1570 as its primary station.(9/12/2014)


Davenport

The FCC has proposed a $2,000 fine against Media General subsidiary Young Broadcasting for allegedly “failing to publicize the existence and location of the Station’s Children’s Television Programming Reports” at NBC affiliate KWQC/6 (Davenport). Young has 90 days to either pay the fine or seek a reduction or cancellation. The regulator had also considered a fine over NBC’s inadvertent inclusion of a website URL in the closing credits for a children’s TV show that aired on KWQC, but it was ultimately decided to leave the punishment at an admonishment. (9/10/2014)


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Davenport

As promised when it flipped what’s now KJOC/93.5 (Bettendorf-Quad Cities) to ESPN Radio in June, Townsquare Media has switched former ESPN affiliate KBOB/1170 (Davenport) to a new format: Country. KBOB is carrying Cumulus Media’s Real Country network, which was heard in the market on WKBF/1270 (Rock Island) in the early 1990’s; the KBOB callsign was used with Country formats on two FM frequencies in the market during the 1990’s and 2000’s. Real Country’s classic-based mix plays along with the contemporary version of Country heard on sister station 104.9 “The Hawk” (KQCS De Witt-Quad Cities), which just flipped to the format two months ago. Both stations are taking on Clear Channel’s heritage Country outlet, WLLR-FM/103.7 (Davenport). KBOB continues to carry high school sports and will also carry Cyclone football and Cubs baseball until next season. (9/8/2014)


Cedar Rapids

CBS2/FOX28 (KGAN/KFXA Cedar Rapids) announced Monday that longtime Eastern Iowa meteorologist Terry Swails will join the Sinclair stations to deliver evening weather forecasts beginning Sept. 22. Swails, an Iowa City native, has been forecasting Iowa weather for 35 years with a resume including jobs in Dubuque, Waterloo, and the Quad Cities.(9/8/2014)


IOWA/NEBRASKA

A belated note that the newest TV subchannel networks, Grit and Escape, have a few affiliates in the Upper Midwest. Katz Broadcasting launched both movie networks on Aug. 18, with Grit targetting men and Escape targetting women. Citadel Communications’ KLKN (Lincoln) carries Grit on 8.2 and Escape on 8.3, while American Spirit Media’s KYOU-TV (Ottumwa) carries Grit on 15.3. KLKN-DT2 had previously carried Live Well Network and, prior to that, Retro TV Network. KLKN is a primary ABC affiliate and KYOU is a primary FOX affiliate. Grit and Escape join a crowded field of broadcast movie networks that also includes This TV, Movies!, and getTV. (9/3/2014)


Waterloo

As first mentioned here as a possibility last year, Townsquare Media is pulling three Waterloo-area radio stations out of trust after their market designations were reassigned to the Waterloo market. The problem arose when Townsquare bought numerous radio groups from Cumulus Media last year, including clusters in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. “Q92.3” (KKHQ Oelwein-Waterloo), KCRR/97.7 (Grundy Center-Waterloo), and KOEL-FM/98.5 (Cedar Falls-Waterloo) had been switched on paper to the Cedar Rapids market in 2012, forcing Townsquare to transfer the licenses to the Cedar Rapids Divestiture Trust, headed by Allen N. Blum. With the three stations now removed from the Cedar Rapids market, the trust is asking the FCC to transfer the licenses to Townsquare Media Waterloo License, LLC. There is no purchase price other than Townsquare’s assumption of the trust’s liabilities. (8/26/2014)


Marshalltown

KRFH/88.7 (Marshalltown) tells the FCC it’s gone off the air due to extensive lightning damage to its antenna and feedline. The station is owned by Marshalltown Education Plus and carries a Christian format. (8/25/2014)


Waterloo (UPDATED)
 
Woodward Communications is selling its group of four Waterloo radio stations to NRG Media for just $50,000 more than it paid for the stations two and a half years ago. The sale price for the deal is $3.55 million, according to documents filed with the FCC. The stations include “ESPN 1330” (KWLO), News/Talker KXEL/1540, Classic Hits KOKZ/105.7, and “Rock 108” (KFMW/107.9). The latter three stations all have good signals to Cedar Rapids, where NRG is based. NRG does not have any other stations in eastern Iowa. Woodward also owns the Dubuque Telegraph Herald and a group of stations in northeastern Wisconsin. (8/22/2014)


Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is the Upper Midwest’s Contemporary Hit Radio capital with three or five stations now running the format, depending on how you count. Clear Channel is the latest entrant, having flipped KOSY-FM/95.7 (Anamosa-Cedar Rapids) to “Y95.7.” The new format competes directly with locally-owned “Z102.9” (KZIA Cedar Rapids) and Townsquare Media’s “i107.1” (KRQN Vinton-Cedar Rapids). Townsquare’s Quad Cities and Waterloo-market CHR’s, “B100” (KBEA/99.7 Muscatine) and “Q92.3” (KKHQ Oelwein), also deliver listenable signals to Cedar Rapids. “Y95.7” has the weakest signal of the three Cedar Rapids-based CHR’s, with a 6kW rimshot signal from a tower just west of Anamosa. However, it has a construction permit to upgrade to 18kW/118m (class C3) from the WMT/600 tower north of Marion, which will greatly improve its signal to Cedar Rapids. 95.7 originally signed on with a Country format as KKSY in 2008 and then switched to a simulcast of WMT’s News/Talk format in early 2012 after the KKSY Country format was moved to the more powerful signal of the former WMT-FM/96.5 (Cedar Rapids). (8/19/2014)


NEBRASKA/IOWA:

Michael Flood, who heads companies that own radio stations in two unrated Nebraska markets, is expanding into Omaha with the purchase of “Radio Lobo” (KBBX-FM/97.7 Nebraska City-Omaha). Flood Broadcasting of Omaha, LLC will pay Connoisseur Communications $4.7 million for KBBX. Connoisseur owns no other stations in the market. Flood’s sister companies own two stations in the Norfolk area (KUSQ/92.7 Albion and KNEN/94.7 Norfolk), two stations in the Nebraska City area (KNCY/1600 Nebraska and KBIE/103.1 Auburn), and recently began running a third station in the Nebraska City area (KIMI/107.7 Malvern, IA) through a local marketing agreement.

In a strange twist, the purchase completes one-time plans to put 97.7 and 107.7 under common ownership. Connoisseur once had a construction permit for KGGG/107.7 (Pacific Junction, IA) and bought KBBX in 2006 while it was in the process of building KGGG; in a rare move, the FCC deleted the Pacific Junction allotment and refunded the auction purchase price after determining that concerns about interference to airplane navigation equipment at Offutt Air Force Base would never allow the station to go on the air. Vic Michaels’ Kona Coast Radio, LLC then moved KIMI in from Sidney, NE, but was also thwarted by the airplane navigation interference concerns. KIMI is currently using just 110 Watts from a tower south of Glenwood, IA, and indicated in a request for special temporary authority that it may seek to move to a new transmitter site. Flood Communications’ LMA to run KIMI states that it doesn’t have to provide any monetary consideration unless the signal is increased to 8kW or higher, though Flood pays electrical bills and regulatory and music licensing fees. (8/19/2014)


West Des Moines
KJJY/92.5 (West Des Moines) has rebranded its Country format as “Nash Icon” with a lean towards Classic Country. RadioInsight first reported the change, which was part of a national rollout of the “Nash Icon” brand Friday. The new branding links KJJY to sister station KHKI/97.3 (Des Moines), which switched its name to “Nash FM” several months ago. (The link may be a surprise to some Country fans if they didn’t realize that the one-time competitors are now owned by the same company.) (8/15/2014)


NEBRASKA/IOWA:
KIMI/107.7 (Malvern, IA) is now back on the air at lower power and is carrying the “Big Apple News Radio” format originating at Flood Broadcasting’s KNCY/1600 (Nebraska City, NE). KIMI, which transmits from a tower south of Glenwood, IA, is using just 110 Watts to prevent interference to airplane navigation systems at Offutt Air Force Base. It has a construction permit to use 13kW/124m (class C3), which is less wattage than originally planned when KIMI owner Kona Coast Radio, LLC moved the station across the border from Humboldt, NE. The 13kW signal should provide rimshot coverage of Omaha. However, KIMI said in its request for special temporary authority to use 110 Watts that the 13kW facility can’t be activated until a change is made to one of the frequencies used at Offutt. The filing also said KIMI may seem to move to a new transmitter site that would not require the change to be made at Offutt. (8/12/2014)


Dubuque
The FCC has announced an upcoming filing window for a new non-commercial station in the Dubuque area. The allotment for a class A (6kW/100m) station on 98.7 licensed to Asbury is open for applications through Sept. 8. (Though the frequency is in the commercial portion of the band, it’s been reserved for non-commercial use.) The winning applicant will be decided based on a comparasion which awards points for local applicants or state entities, statewide networks, new entrants, and other criteria. (8/11/2014)


Grimes
New low-power FM station KPOG-LP/102.9 (Grimes) has signed on. The 58-Watt station covers the northwestern corner of the Des Moines metro. It’s owned by Des Moines Metro Adventist Radio Co. (8/6/2014)


Des Moines
Saga Communications has signed on new translator K283CC/104.5 (Des Moines), relaying “Praise 940” (KPSZ). K283CC uses 250 Watts from a tower near Altoona, east of Des Moines, with strong coverage of the eastern two-thirds of the metro area. Saga also operates translator K260AM/99.9 (Ames-Des Moines), which carries a Rhythmic Hits format from a subchannel of KIOA/93.3. (8/1/2014)


IOWA/WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA
Wennes Communications’ “Bluff Country 103.5” (KNEI-FM Waukon, IA) has applied to move closer to La Crosse. KNEI-FM currently uses 37kW/175m (class C2) from Waukon and has applied for 50kW/150m (also C2) from a site near the Iowa-Minnesota border. The move would put La Crosse within KNEI-FM’s protected theoretical 60 dbu contour, but the river valley topography could limit actual reception. The move would also weaken the station’s signal to Prairie du Chien, WI. (7/22/2014)


IOWA Public Radio

Iowa Public Radio is making changes to the weekend schedules on its three networks on July 19. Changes include:

  • Adding The Moth Radio Hour and the TED Radio Hour to the AM News and FM News/Studio One networks, and adding Ask Me Another to the FM schedule
  • Adding an hour to Backtracks with Bob Dorr on Saturday afternoon on the FM News/Studio One network
  • Dropping Fresh Air Weekend and On The Media from both News networks
  • Cutting an hour of Whad’Ya Know? and Weekend Edition Sunday from both News networks
  • Dropping Hearts of Space, Millennium of Music, and Pipedreams from the Classical network
    A complete rundown of the changes is available on
    IPR’s website.

(7/16/2014)


Perry – Des Moines

  • An $11,000 fine against Latin Broadcasting Company for alleged lighting violations at the Dallas County tower site of KDLS-FM/105.5 (Perry-Des Moines) is now final. The FCC alleged that the tower’s top beacon and top set of side lamps were not working when a sheriff’s deputy observed the tower on July 13, 2012, and when an FCC agent visited on July 19, 2012, and that it received conflicting reports from the tower owner when it inquired about the outage. LBC was also accused of failing to update antenna structure ownership information after a company name change. The FCC had originally proposed a $14,000 fine but reduced it to $11,000 due to LBC’s history of compliance. (7/14/2014)
    IOWA/NEBRASKA:
    The FCC has granted a modification to a future FM station with potential rimshot coverage of Omaha. Kona Coast Radio, headed by Victor Michael, had originally constructed KIMI/107.7 (Sidney) to use 50kW/124m (class C2) from a tower south of Glenwood, Iowa, but had to stop program tests after interference complaints from Offutt Air Force Base. Now, the FCC has granted a downgrade for KIMI to 13kW/124m (class C3) from the same site and a change in community of license to Malvern, Iowa. The 13kW signal will still reach some, but not all, listeners in Omaha. KIMI was originally constructed at Humboldt, NE, and remains licensed there, though filings indicate it was only on the air in Humboldt for a few days and cannot return to the air there because the original facility has already been dismantled. (7/14/2014)

    DeWitt

    •  
    The Quad City Times reports that Townsquare Media’s KBOB-FM/104.9 (De Witt) will flip from “Rock 104.9” to “The Hawk” on Wednesday (7/9). The move comes a week after Townsquare parked the KBOB callsign on the former KJOC/1170 (Davenport), and RadioInsight reported over the weekend that Townsquare had already launched a Facebook page for the new format. “The Hawk” will compete directly with Clear Channel’s WLLR/103.7 (Davenport), the market’s heritage Country station, and the Times reports “The Hawk” will target younger females. The change means the end to the longtime “Dave and Darren” morning show. 104.9 had carried Country formats as “Bob,” “Great Country 105,” and “The River” before flipping to Rock in 2007. Both 1170 and Townsquare’s KQCS/93.5 (Bettendorf) recently began carrying ESPN Radio, and the Times reported that 1170 would change to a new format this fall. (7/8/2014)

North English
Kansas-based My Town Media is buying KMYQ/97.1 (North English) from Justin McLuckie for $50,000. KMYQ signed on in 2012 but filed for special temporary authority to remain silent the same day the final license was granted, and has received several more STA’s since then. The station is licensed for 3.9kW/40m (class A) and covers a rural area southwest of Iowa City. My Town Media also owns nine radio stations in Kansas and Missouri and is buying a Missouri station from McLuckie in a separate transaction. (6/26/2014)


IOWA/MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN
GetTV, a classic movie subchannel owned by Sony Pictures Television Networks, announced Monday that it’s coming to Minneapolis and four other Upper Midwest markets as part of a 33-station deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group. New affiliates will include WUCW (Minneapolis), WVTV (Milwaukee), WMSN (Madison), KGAN (Cedar Rapids), and KDSM (Des Moines). Some of the stations also carry ZUUS Country on subchannels and have had extra room waiting since dropping The Cool TV a few years back. (6/23/2014)


Sioux City
Powell Broadcasting is buying an FM translator to use for News/Talker KSCJ/1360. Powell will pay VSS Catholic Commucations $62,400 for K235CA/94.9, which is not yet on the air. The construction permit for K235CA calls for 250 Watts from a tower on the northwest side of town. (6/20/2014)


Davenport – Bettendorf
Townsquare Media says it’ll bring ESPN Radio to FM in the Quad Cities on KQCS/93.5 (Bettendorf) starting Monday, displacing the longtime “Star 93.5” Hot Adult Contemporary format. Though ESPN just debuted on Townsquare’s KJOC/1170 (Davenport) just last month, the Quad City Times reports KJOC will switch to a different format this fall. 93.5 will be the only one of the eight commercial FM stations in the market with a non-music format. (6/13/2014)


IOWA/ILLINOIS
Nexstar Broadcasting is changing the partner it plans to work with in the Quad Cities, but would sell ads on three full-power stations if two proposed deals receive FCC approval.

The company announced Friday that FOX 18 (KLJB Davenport) will be sold to minority-owned Marshall Broadcasting, along with FOX affiliates in Louisiana and Texas, for $58.5 million. Nexstar, which is still awaiting FCC approval to buy KLJB and CW affiliate KGCW/26 (Burlington) from Grant Media, will provide sales and other non-programming services to KLJB and Marshall will get 70 percent of the revenue.

Nexstar closed on its purchase of CBS affiliate WHBF/4 (Rock Island) from Citadel Communications in March. The company had originally said that after the KLJB/KGCW deal closes, it would sell KLJB to Mission Broadcasting but continue to operate it under a local service agreement; such agreements came under increased FCC scrutiny earlier this year, leading to the new deal.

Nexstar said Marshall would add 13.5 hours per week of local news and public affairs programming on KLJB, which currently airs a newscast produced by the market’s NBC affiliate.

Marshall Broadcasting is headed by Pluria Marshall, who owns a radio station in suburban Chicago and newspapers serving the African-American community in California and Texas. (6/6/2014)


IOWA:
KWPC/860 (Muscatine) is poised to get an FM translator: Kaskasia Broadcasting’s K233BI/94.5 has applied to move to 95.1 with 250 Watts. The application specifies KWPC as the station to be rebroadcast. (6/5/2014)


IOWA:
So much for Iowa City: Home Broadcasting’s KCII-FM/106.1 (Washington) has modified its upgrade application to remove Iowa City from the proposed main coverage area. The station currently uses 3kW/91m (class A) and earlier this year applied to upgrade to 48kW/140m (class C2) from a tower midway between Washington and Iowa City. Now, it’s modified the application to remain at its current Washington site with 22kW/88m (class C3). KCII-FM simulcasts an information-heavy Adult Gold/Oldies format with KCII/1380. (6/2/2014)


IOWA:
King Forward, Inc. is buying three low-power TV stations in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines from Tiger Eye Broadcasting for a total of $155,000. The asset purchase agreement values KRPG-LP/43 (Des Moines) at $75,000 and the Cedar Rapids stations, KRUB-LD/24 and KCDR-LD/45, at $40,000 apiece. It’s not clear whether any of the stations are currently on the air. King Forward is also in the process of buying LPTV stations in Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Lincoln, NE. (5/29/2014)


Perry, IOWA:
The owner of KDLS/1310 (Perry) is buying an FM translator that was already slated to relay KDLS. M&M Broadcasting will pay First Ventures Capital Partners $31,500 for K259AT/99.7, which has a construction permit to move from Boone to Perry with 250 Watts to relay KDLS. The agreement was actually signed last September but not filed with the FCC until this week. (5/21/2014)


IOWA/MINNESOTA:
Christian broadcaster EICB-TV East, LLC is paying DTV America Corp. $100 apiece for several low-power TV construction permits. The deal includes Mason City stations K22LJ-D, K27MI-D, and K38OW-D and Duluth station K46MH-D. The Mason City CP’s expire in November 2015 and the Duluth CP expires in August 2015. EICB-TV recently applied for licenses to cover two new LPTV stations in Duluth but immediately took them silent. (5/12/2014)


THREE EAGLES SOLD:
Digity Media has announced plans to buy Lincoln-based Three Eagles Communications’ 48 stations. The price was not disclosed but will likely be revealed in FCC filings. All of Three Eagles’ stations are in the Upper Midwest, with groups in Lincoln, Columbus (NE), Fort Dodge, Mason City, Austin (MN), Albert Lea, Mankato, Redwood Falls, Luverne, Brookings, and Watertown (SD). Digity is headquartered in Florida and is owned by Dean Goodman and Garrison Investment Group. The company’s existing holdings mostly result from its recent purchase of NextMedia and Goodman’s GoodRadio.TV group. Digity will be a top five radio group owner once the purchase is complete, with existing holdings including stations in Fairfield (IA), Newton/Grinnell (IA), Kenosha (WI), and suburban Chicago. (5/5/2014)


IOWA/ILLINOIS:
Townsquare Media’s KJOC/1170 (Davenport) has flipped to ESPN Radio, dropping the True Oldies Channel. As the callsign suggests, KJOC had previously carried a Sports format but dropped it a decade ago. “ESPN 1170” competes mainly with Clear Channel FOX Sports affiliate WFXN/1230 (Moline), which flipped to Sports around the time KJOC dropped it. WFXN carries the Green Bay Packers and the Fighting Illini, while KJOC is promoting the Chicago Cubs and Iowa State athletics on its website. (5/1/2014)


IOWA/ILLINOIS:
The Quad Cities’ “Jefa” has added an FM signal: The Regional Mexican/Tropical format of WKBF/1270 (Rock Island) is now being rebroadcast on translator K289BI/105.7 (Davenport). The 250-Watt translator is owned by First Ventures Capital Partners. (5/1/2014)


IOWA:
The owners of the three commercial radio stations in Decorah have filed a petition for reconsideration of the recent grant of a new low-power FM station for Community Radio of Decorah, Postville, and Northeast Iowa. The new LPFM station will be licensed to Decorah and broadcast on 104.1 with 100 Watts. Wennes Communications and Decorah Broadcasting allege one member of the group is already involved with existing station KPVL/89.1 (Postville). The petition also says the group failed to attach its articles of incorporation and did not show that it is an educational organization. The group’s application did state that it would interact with several educational institutions in the area to provide daily reports on school activities and offer the schools opportunities for programs highlighting their educational activities. One of the schools mentioned in the application, Luther College, is also getting its own LPFM station to replace its shared-time station, KWLC/1240. (4/30/2014)


IOWA:
Cumulus Media’s Des Moines FM talker, KWQW/98.3 (Boone-Des Moines) has rebranded as “The Torch,” dropping “Wow FM.” With the slogan change, KWQW added a new local morning show hosted by Robert Rees, who’s followed by Glenn Beck from 9 to 11 and Dennis Miller from 11 to 2. ABC News, Michael Savage, Mark Levin, John Batchelor, and Red Eye Radio continue. (4/21/2014)


IOWA:
KSIB (Creston) got national attention Thursday when the Associated Press ran an item about a new Hank Williams release based on a program that aired on KSIB in 1950, but ironically, it turns out the station dropped its decades-old Country format this month. The Creston News-Advertiser reports KSIB-FM/101.3 dropped Country music that had aired in the afternoon, evening, and overnight hours for syndicated talk shows. (KSIB/1520 already carried a sports format.) The newspaper reports KSIB-FM continues to carry local news, information, and farm programming in the morning, while syndicated shows later in the day include Dennis Miller, Herman Cain, Clark Howard, and Jim Bohannon. The Omnivore Recordings release, “The Garden Spot Programs, 1950,” comes out May 20. (4/17/2014)


IOWA:
First Ventures Capital Partners is seeking a waiver to move the transmitter of K259AT/99.7 from Boone to Perry, where it would relay Coon Valley Communications’ KDLS/1310 with 250 Watts. The translator would remain licensed to Boone. A waiver would be needed because the move is farther than would normally be allowed in one translator “hop.” The translator recently applied for the license to cover the construction permit for its move from 88.9, where it was licensed as K205EZ. KDLS carries a Soft Oldies format. (4/10/2014)


IOWA/NEBRASKA/WISCONSIN:
Hearst Television stations returned to DISH Network Wednesday after a brief outage due to a retransmission consent dispute. CBS affiliate KCCI/8 (Des Moines) and ABC affiliates WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee) and KETV/7 (Omaha) were among those that left DISH Tuesday evening. The outage ended up lasting about a half-day. (4/9/2014)


IOWA:
A full-power TV license is no guarantee of success, even in a medium market: Stratus Communications has surrendered the license for KWWF/22 (Waterloo). The station had gone off the air last summer citing financial difficulties. William M. Smith originally signed on KWWF in 2002 with Christian programming. Equity Broadcasting bought the station in 2004 and converted it to a UPN affiliate, and then used it as a beta tester for the Retro Television Network after UPN went off the air. KWWF was then silent from mid-2009 to mid-2010, when Stratus predecessor Fusion Communications returned it to the air with Untamed Sports TV. (4/8/2014)


CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FOR NEW LOW-POWER FM (100-WATT) STATIONS:

  • Decorah, IA: 104.1, Community Radio of Decorah, Postville and Northeast Iowa (4/7/2014)

IOWA:
CBS 2 (KGAN Cedar Rapids) plans to make its move from RF channel 51 to RF channel 29 in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 5, according to announcements running on the station and its website. The Sinclair Broadcast Group station will contine to remap to channel 2.1 after the change, but over-the-air viewers will have to rescan their TV’s to receive the new station. KGAN will continue to use 850kW at 585m from a tower midway between Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. It’s leaving channel 51 because the FCC auctioned off channels 52 to 69 for wireless use but failed to leave a buffer between TV channel 51 and the new wireless frequencies. (3/28/2014)


LOW-POWER TV/TRANSLATOR LICENSES DELETED:

The FCC has been cleaning house, so to speak, in its TV database: It’s deleted more than a dozen low-power TV/translator stations that failed to apply for license renewal. Among those deleted:

Sioux Falls Independent oulet KCPO-LP/26: The G.I.G., Inc. station had originally launched as a UPN affiliate and continued as an independent after the affiliation went to KELO-DT2. Though the FCC informed KCPO its license was being deleted, the station’s fate is unclear because Midcontinent Cable still has program listings for KCPO on cable channel 2. Also deleted is G.I.G.’s KVNJ-LP/2 (Fargo), which acted as a translator of co-owned KCPM/27 (Grand Forks).

Three translators and one LPTV in Ottumwa, Iowa: K23CI, K25DE, and K27CV had been owned by the Ottumwa Area Translator System and were last reported to be carrying KCCI-CBS, WHO-NBC, and KYOU-FOX. Also deleted was New Moon Communications’ KUMK-LP/42, a former TBN station that New Moon had once touted as a future NBC affiliate.

Translator systems in North Dakota: K07EZ and K09EZ were owned by the Beulah Chamber of Commerce while K07JA, K09JR, and K11QD were owned by the City of Hazen.

Others deleted: K26IY (Ames, IA); K46EY (Ames, IA); K29EA (Des Moines, IA); K45FR (Olivia, MN); K50IZ (Duluth, MN); K42FY (Dickinson, ND); K44HR (Willison, ND); K06OA (Eau Claire, WI) (3/26/2014)


IOWA/ILLINOIS:
The owner of KROS/1340 (Clinton) is buying an FM translator that already has a construction permit to move to the KROS tower. KROS Broadcasting will pay First Ventures Capital Partners $23,250 for W290AW/105.9 (Savanna, IL). W290AW is currently licensed for 10 Watts from a site midway between Savanna and Clinton and has a CP to broadcast with 250 Watts from Clinton. KROS carries a News/Talk/Sports format. (3/24/2014)


WISCONSIN/IOWA/SOUTH DAKOTA:
A station in the Green Bay market will apparently be divested as part of a national media merger announced Friday morning. Media General, the owner of ABC affiliate WBAY-TV/2 (Green Bay), is merging with LIN Media, the owner of FOX 11 (WLUK Green Bay) and CW 14 (WCWF Suring-Green Bay). The press release announcing the $1.6 billion deal mentioned that some stations would be divested but didn’t say which ones. Ownership rules prohibit one company from owning more than one of the top four stations in a market. Media General also owns NBC affiliate KWQC/6.1 (Davenport) and CBS affiliates KELO-TV/11.1 (Sioux Falls) and KCLO/15.1 (Rapid City), while LIN also owns CBS affiliate KIMT/3.1 (Mason City). The combined company would be called Media General and would have 74 stations in 46 markets if the deal is approved by the FCC. (3/21/2014)


IOWA:
O-Town Communications is buying the construction permit for translator K299BA/107.7 (Ottumwa) from First Ventures Capital Partners for $25,000. The application to transfer the license says K299BA will relay KLEE/1480 (Ottumwa), which O-Town is buying from FMC Broadcasting. K299BA’s CP calls for 50 Watts from downtown Ottumwa. (3/17/2014)


NEBRASKA/IOWA:
As expected after KTFJ/1250 (Dakota City, NE-Sioux City) changed format, an FCC application has been filed to transfer the license from the Estate of Donald Swanson to Cup O’ Dirt, LLC. The buyer will pay $12,500 for the station, which changed its callsign to KZOI after adopting the “Sunny” ’80s Hits format also heard on Cup O’Dirt’s KZOY/1520 (Sioux Falls, SD) and FM translator K221FO/92.1 (Sioux Falls). Cup O’ Dirt is owned by John and Heidi Small of Sioux Falls. KTFJ had carried Christian formats since it signed on in 1990; it uses 500 Watts daytime and 700 Watts nighttime from a site east of Sioux City, using different day and night antenna patterns. (3/15/2014)


IOWA:
Jomast Corporation, the ownwer of Oskaloosa’s two radio stations, is buying an FM translator in Oskaloosa. Jomast will pay First Ventures Capital Partners $25,000 for K258BG/99.5; the deal was signed last August but not filed with the FCC until this week. Jomast’s KBOE/740 was already specified as the station to be rebroadcast under a construction permit to relocate 99-Watt K258BG to the KBOE tower. 740 currently simulcasts a Country format with KBOE-FM/104.9. (3/12/2014)


IOWA/NEBRASKA:
KTFJ/1250 (Dakota City, NE-Sioux City) has ended its decades-old Christian format and is now running a 30-minute promotional loop of “Sunny Radio,” and `80s format based at KZOY/1520 and K221FO/92.1 (Sioux Falls). Announcements say the station will soon begin carrying the format on a regular basis with a callsign change to KZOI planned. The Sioux Falls “Sunny” is run by John Small’s Cup O’ Dirt, LLC. KTFJ is owned by the Estate of Donald Swanson and had been simulcasting the Bott Radio Network with KTFG/103.3 (Sioux City), which Community Broadcasting bought from the Estate following Swanson’s death. Swanson signed on AM 1250 in 1990. It uses 500 Watts daytime and 700 Watts nighttime from a site east of Sioux City, using different day and night antenna patterns. (3/5/2014)


DES MOINES
Saga Broadcasting is buying an FM translator that’s poised to move to Des Moines. Saga will pay First Ventures Capital Partners $87,500 for K230AT/93.9 (Winterset), which has a construction permit to move its transmitter to Des Moines on 93.7 as K229CC. The application to transfer the license says the translator will relay Clear Channel’s WHO/1040, which would seem to be an unusual situation since Saga and Clear Channel are competitors. WHO had also been specified as the primary station on the application to move the transmitter to Des Moines. (3/5/2014)


DES MOINES
Saga Broadcasting’s KMYR/104.1 (Ames-Des Moines) has dropped its longtime “Lite 104.1” branding in favor of “More 104,” coinciding with a brightening-up of the station’s Adult Contemporary playlist. A change was expected since the station changed its callsign from KLTI-FM to KMYR last month. Saga also owns Hot AC-formatted “Star 102.5” (KSTZ Des Moines). (3/3/2014)


DES MOINES/KNOXVILLE
Educational Media Foundation has applied to move K279BX/103.7 (Knoxville) to Des Moines, where Clear Channel’s KPTL/106.3 (Ankeny-Des Moines) is specified as the primary station. K279BX is still in the construction permit stage and is not yet on the air; the current CP already calls for a site midway between Knoxville and Des Moines. The permit is actually held by Edgewater Broadcasting but is in the process of being tranferred to EMF, which filed the application. (3/3/2014)


WASHINGTON/IOWA
KCII-FM/106.1 (Washington) has applied for an upgrade that would add Iowa City to its main coverage area. The Home Broadcasting station, which currently uses 3kW/91m (class A), would upgrade to 48kW/140m (class C2) from a tower midway between Washington and Iowa City. KCII-FM currently simulcasts an Adult Gold/Oldies format heavy on local news and information with KCII/1380. Sister company M&H Broadcasting has a construction permit to move translator K273CC/102.5 (Mount Pleasant) to Washington to relay the AM station. (3/1/2014)


CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FOR NEW LOW-POWER FM (100-WATT) STATIONS:

Marshalltown, IA: 101.5, K. of C. Building, Inc.(2/24/2014)


Des Moines, IOWA:
The FCC has approved an FM translator’s move to Des Moines, where it’s expected to relay Clear Channel News/Talker WHO/1040. K230AT/93.9 (Winterset) now has a construction permit to move its transmitter to a tower owned by WHO-TV in downtown Des Moines as K229CC/93.7. It will use the maximum translator power of 250 Watts, delivering a strong signal to most of the Des Moines area. First Ventures Capital Partners owns the translator and listed WHO as the station to be rebroadcast on its application. (2/20/2014)


AMES/DES MOINES

Saga Broadcasting’s “Lite 104.1” (KLTI-FM Ames-Des Moines) officially changed its callsign to KMYR on Monday (2/17), according to the FCC database. The station continues its longrunning Adult Contemporary format with the “Lite” name. (Callsign nerd note: The KLTI callsign continues on 1560 in Macon, MO, which is unrelated to the former KLTI-FM and has used the callsign for decades.) (2/20/2014)


Des Moines, IOWA:
Youngers Colorado Broadcasting is buying the construction permit for translator K295CB/106.9 (Des Moines) from Starboard Media Foundation for $5,000. The application lists Educational Media Foundation’s KLOV-FM as the station to be rebroadcast. K295CB’s CP calls for 115 Watts serving the northeastern part of Des Moines, but it’s right next door to on the dial to KNWI/107.1 (Osceola-Des Moines) and would be subject to interference complaints from KNWI listeners. (2/12/2014)


Des Moines, IOWA:
The FCC has proposed a $6,000 fine against Capital Communications for alleged public inspection file violations at ABC affiliate WOI-DT/5 (Ames-Des Moines). The station was allegedly late in uploading four quarterly children’s television reports to the FCC website and allegedly failed to report the late filings on its license renewal application. Capital has 30 days to either pay the fine or seek a reduction or cancellation. The company is awaiting FCC approval to sell WOI-DT and two other stations to Nexstar; the FCC approved WOI-DT’s license renewal Monday. (2/10/2014)


CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FOR NEW FM TRANSLATORS:

Millman/Des Moines, IA: K243CA/96.5, 190W, Clear Channel

Iowa City, IA: K247CA/97.3, 250W, E-String Wireless


CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FOR NEW LOW-POWER FM (100-WATT) STATIONS:

Carroll, IA: 102.1, Carroll Impact Educational Association

Cedar Rapids, IA: 97.5, Calvary Chapel Iowa

Muscatine, IA: 92.5, Muscatine Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Ottumwa, IA: 106.3, Ottumwa Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Oskaloosa, IA: 95.7, My Father’s House, Inc.

Waterloo, IA: 97.1, Humanity’s Hope Foundation
(2/10/2014)

Cedar Falls, IA: 92.9, College Hill Community Radio

Decorah, IA: 96.9, Luther College

Dubuque, IA: 98.3, St. Columbkille Church

Kensett, IA: 97.1, Elk Creek Lutheran Church
(2/3/2014)


DECORAH

The FCC has granted Decorah’s Luther College a new low-power FM station on 96.9 to take over the student-run programming currently heard on KWLC/1240. Besides the move to FM, the change will also allow Luther to have a full-time radio station since KWLC is in a rare shared-time arrangement with commercial station KDEC, one of the last such arrangements in the country. KWLC broadcasts 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays and all weekend. Luther has pledged to divest itself of the AM station, which has been on the air since 1926. divestiture could mean selling the AM license or returning it to the FCC. KWLC carries a broad variety of Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop, Classical, Christian music, and news and sports programming. (2/3/2014)


BOONE/DES MOINES
The FCC has reversed its earlier decision denying an application from Truth Broadcasting’s KTIA-FM/99.3 (Boone) to move closer to Des Moines. In December, commission staff rejected KTIA’s application to change its community of license to Huxley and transmit from a tower near Sheldahl, using 5.3kW/95m (class A), on the stance that the station could theoretically then apply for a facility covering more than half of the Ames Urbanized Area. That would’ve run afoul of rules intended to preserve rural radio service. However, KTIA, a Christian Talk station, pointed out that the FCC failed to consider that any future change to KTIA would have to protect adjacent-channel KDAO-FM/99.5 (Eldora-Marshalltown). The FCC agreed it had erred and reinstated the application to pending status. This is KTIA’s second attempt to move closer to Des Moines. The original application would’ve changed the community of license to Johnston and given the station city-grade coverage of most of the capital city, but it was rejected due to the rural radio rules. KTIA’s move would require KPUL-FM/99.5 (Winterset) to move to 101.7 which, in turn, would displace Iowa Public Radio translator K269EJ/101.7 (Des Moines). The translator already has a construction permit to move to 97.7. (1/23/2014)


IOWA/NEBRASKA:
The owner of a new FM station once poised to provide a rimshot signal to Omaha has asked the FCC for a downgrade following concerns over interference to airplane communications systems. Kona Coast Radio’s KIMI/107.7 (Sidney) has a construction permit for 50kW/124m (class C2) from a tower south of Glenwood, Iowa. However, the FAA asked KIMI to halt program tests because of intermodulation interference to a frequency used at Offutt Air Force Base. (The situation doesn’t come as a surprise to those who recall Connoisseur Media’s failed attempt to launch a similar station licensed to Pacific Junction, Iowa, in the mid-2000’s, which ended with the FCC refunding Connoisseur money it had spent at auction and deleting the allotment after hearing FAA concerns.) Now, KIMI has applied to drop power to 13kW and change its community of license to Malvern, Iowa, since the station would not provide Sidney a city-grade signal at the lower wattage. The 13kW signal would still reach some, but not all, listeners in Omaha. Kona Coast Radio, headed by Victor Michael, is asking the FCC not to consider the proposal a move into an urbanized area because the airplane interference concerns would prevent the station from upgrading to reach any more of Omaha. KIMI was originally constructed at Humboldt, NE, and remains licensed there, though filings indicate it was only on the air in Humboldt for a few days and cannot return to the air there because the original facility has already been dismantled. (1/21/2014)


IOWA:
Iowa Public Radio’s KNSH/91.1 (Fort Dodge) has changed its callsign to KNSK, allowing Cumulus Media to pick up the KNSH callsign. Cumulus operates a number of Country stations using the “Nash” moniker and has, for now, parked the callsign on an AM station in Texas. (WNSH is used for the format’s New York outlet and was briefly parked in Minnesota in late 2012.) The Fort Dodge change took place Dec. 24. The station had been KTPR until changing to a KNS_ callsign along with several other IPR News/Talk/Adult Alternative stations in 2012. (1/3/2014)