The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been busy with a series of actions, including issuing orders to pay or show cause to two Texas radio licensees for unpaid regulatory fees. Luis Giraldo's 94.7 KPZX Paducah TX owes $2,856.43 for fees from 2021 and 2022, while Ernest Lopez's 94.3 KXTM Benavides TX owes $1,849.58 for 2020 and 2021. This highlights the importance of compliance with regulatory fees, which are a critical source of funding for the FCC's operations and initiatives.
In addition to these actions, the FCC is opening a comment period on a proposal to delete the currently vacant allocation on 105.5 in Selmer TN, previously held by WXOQ. The vacant allocation is short-spaced to 105.5 WVNA-FM Muscle Shoals AL by nine kilometers, which could have significant implications for the local radio landscape. The FCC's decision to delete the allocation may be driven by a variety of factors, including the need to reallocate spectrum for other uses or to address interference issues.
The FCC has also been dealing with license cancellations and silent stations. Mississippi Broadcasters has surrendered the former “Fox Sports Meridian” 1450 WYHL/99.7 W259BP Meridian MS, which had gone silent in December 2025 for financial reasons. Missouri River Christian Broadcasting’s 90.3 KGNN-FM Cuba MO was returned to the FCC after going silent last July following transmitter and antenna system failures. These actions demonstrate the challenges faced by radio stations in maintaining their operations and the importance of timely maintenance and repairs.
The FCC has also received notifications of silent stations due to various technical and financial reasons. These include Connoisseur Media's 1410 KGRN Grinnell IA, 106.7 KRTI Grinnell IA, 1280 KCOB Newton IA, and 95.9 KCOB-FM Newton IA, as well as Holmes County Broadcasting Company’s 1000 WXTN Benton MS, 2G Media’s 730 WZGV Cramerton NC, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission’s 88.7 KUNE-FM Columbus NE, Northway Broadcasting’s 102.5 KNVR Fallon NV, Phoenix Radio’s 1480 WRCK Remsen NY, Broadcast Educational Communications’ 90.1 WLWS Scottdale PA, First Baptist Church of Riverview’s 89.5 KGCF Aberdeen WA, and Radio Greenbrier’s 1310 WSLW White Sulphur Spring WV. These notifications highlight the ongoing challenges faced by radio stations in maintaining their operations and the importance of timely maintenance and repairs.
In terms of AM changes, Catholic Community Radio’s 1380 WPYR Baton Rouge LA proposes to eliminate two of its three towers, switching from directional to non-directional status as it drops from 5kW day/62w night to 1.35kW day/65w night. This change could have significant implications for the local radio landscape, potentially affecting the station's coverage and reach. FM changes include Cedar Cove Broadcasting's application to upgrade 89.1 KRKU Hillsdale WY from a Class A to C2 as it increases power from 300w to 50kW/40m. This upgrade could have significant implications for the local radio landscape, potentially affecting the station's coverage and reach.
Finally, there have been changes in call letters, including 88.5 WQJS Clewiston FL -> WQCP (effective 6/16), 91.5 WGTL Greenville MS -> WLRG (effective 6/16), 93.7 KFSA Fort Smith AR -> KHTL (effective 6/15), 104.7 WLGT La Grange NC -> WGTL (effective 6/16), and 105.5 WLGY Pennington Gap VA -> WKPL (effective 6/23). These changes could have significant implications for the local radio landscape, potentially affecting the station's coverage and reach.
In conclusion, the FCC's actions demonstrate the ongoing challenges faced by radio stations in maintaining their operations and the importance of timely maintenance and repairs. The FCC's decisions to delete allocations, cancel licenses, and issue notifications of silent stations highlight the need for compliance with regulatory fees and the importance of timely maintenance and repairs. The changes in call letters and AM/FM changes could have significant implications for the local radio landscape, potentially affecting the station's coverage and reach.
