FCC Report 11/28: Illinois High School Station Fined To Settle Compliance Issues

FCC Actions

School District 99’s 88.3 WDGC-FM Downers Grove IL will pay a $1000 fine and enter into a Consent Decree to settle an investigation into multiple rule compliance issues. WDGC-FM failed to notify the FCC of being silent within 10 days, timely request authorization for silence over 30 days, file biennial ownership reports, submit EEO Program Reports with its license renewal, and upload copies of its issues and programs lists to its online public inspection file. The decree also settled compliance regarding inaccurate certifications in its license renewal application and an informal objection to its license renewal.

WDGC-FM filed a Silent STA on September 24, 2019 stating it went silent on June 1 for “facility remodeling and equipment replacement”. A six month extension was requested on March 10, 2020 giving the station until June 1 to return to the air. On that last possible day, WDGC-FM requested a third six month extension due to COVID-19, which was granted. The station resumed operation on November 14 keeping the station silent for 17 months straight.

An informal objection to WDGC-FM’s license renewal claimed that granting the license renewal application would “run counter to the principles of “equity and fairness’” because the Station remained silent even though there were “no circumstances outside of its control” and falsely certified in its application that the station had not been silent for any consecutive 12-month period. The FCC rejected the objection because it had already granted the third STA and the objection gave no evidence that the station was silent for reason beyond its control.

Stellar Media’s KQLM Odessa TX has entered into a Consent Decree for failing to maintain its online political file.

AM Changes

Prairie Winds Broadcasting’s News/Talk 930 KSDN Aberdeen SD seeks to eliminate two of its three towers from its array. KSDN would drop from 5kW day/1kW night to 1kW day and 27 watts night.

iHeartMedia’s “Fox Sports 1400” WRZX Newnan GA applies to diplex with Word Christian Broadcasting’s 1300 WNEA Newnan. WRZX would decrease from 1kW to 700 watts from the WNEA tower.

FM Changes

Armada Media’s Classic Rock “Eagle 107.3” WUPF Powers MI applies to relocate slightly south with 50kW/130m.

Faith Educational Media’s Christian 90.7 WTKC Findlay OH applies to move to a new tower with 240w/14m.

Translator Changes

Call Letter Changes

103.3 NEW Tonopah NV -> KRXX
1010 WPMH Portsmouth VA -> WHKT
1270 WHKT Newport News VA -> WPMH
1290 WLIE Bellaire OH -> WLYV

This story first appeared on radioinsight.com