May 13 – Deadline for filing reply comments for the the FCC’s January Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which it proposes to require TV and radio stations to file reports with the FCC regarding station operational outages in the FCC’s Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) database and on their operating status during disasters in the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) database.
May 20 – Deadline for filing comments in a third proceeding dealing with emergency broadcast matters. That is the deadline for comments on the FCC’s March Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which it proposes the creation of a new EAS event code for missing and endangered persons.
May 14 – LPFM applicants have until the end of a settlement window on May 14 to resolve mutually exclusive (MX) new LPFM construction permit applications filed during the December 2023 filing window.
May 16 – Effective date of the FCC’s April Report and Order authorizing experimental program origination on FM booster stations – allowing the initiation of “zonecasting” or “geocasting” service.
The fight to preserve access to AM radio through vehicles continues to gain momentum as the Energy and Commerce Committee holds a hearing on the matter.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington delivered the opening remarks of the meeting, which took place on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024.
In her remarks, Committee Chair Rodgers points out the values of maintaining AM radio in commercially produced automobiles. AM radio boasts a variety of values, but most significantly it plays a major role in connecting local communities and delivering vital, life-saving information in the time of emergencies.
“AM radio fosters a sense of local identity, connecting people through regional programming that reflects the unique perspectives and traditions of their communities,” says Rodgers. “It’s closer to the people, telling the stories and sharing the perspectives that the national news doesn’t cover and sometimes ignores, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring local government accountability.”
Salem Media’s Val Carolin spoke with Atlanta News first last week regarding the legislation.
“We believe that AM and FM radio should remain free,” Carolin said. “I think it’s important, and it’s vital.”
Watch the full hearing here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/events/innovation-data-and-commerce-legislative-hearing-preserving-americans-access-to-am-radio
As of May 1, 2024, the AM for Every Vehicle Act had received the co-sponsors necessary in order to pass.
S.1669 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1669/cosponsors
H.R.3414 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3413
Georgia stations racked up a whopping 270 nominations for the 50th annual Southeast Emmy Awards.
The awards ceremony will take place Saturday, June 15, at the Grand Hyatt Buckhead in Atlanta, sponsored by Gray Television.
Known to her listeners as ‘Sarah Lynn,’ Sarah Hamilton of KIX96/WJCL-FM, has been promoted from Assistant Program Director to Program Director.
Hamilton joined Cumulus Media’s Savannah station in 2014. Hamilton can be heard on Savannah & Hilton Head’s Country Favorites station weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the weekends, she appears on KIX96’s sister station, I-95/WIXV-FM, and across the U.S. as On-Air Personality for Westwood One’s WWO Hits Now/Hot AC.
In preparation for the upcoming hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is recognizing National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 5 – 11, 2024.
Each day of the week highlights tips to stay safe and prepared in the event of a hurricane.
- Sunday, May 5 — Know Your Risk: Wind & Water
- Monday, May 6 — Prepare Before Hurricane Season
- Tuesday, May 7 — Understand Forecast Information
- Wednesday, May 8 — Get Moving When a Storm Threatens
- Thursday, May 9 — Stay Protected During Storms
- Friday, May 10 — Use Caution After Storms
- Saturday, May 11 — Take Action Today
Operations Manager for Cumulus Savannah, Program Director for WEAS-FM and WTYB-FM, and On-Air Host, WEAS-FM, Gary Shelton, also known as, ‘DJ Rax,’ has passed away.
The GAB joins Majic 103.9 and its community in mourning this loss.
Representative of Georgia’s 1st district, Buddy Carter, recognizes WSAV’s Kim Gusby on the House floor for her induction into the GAB’s Hall of Fame. As the longest-serving morning news anchor of the area, Gusby’s tireless commitment to broadcasting and serving her community is painfully clear.
In 2019, Gusby was named as an outstanding Georgia Citizen.
“Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray and our investigative team noticed likely tens and possibly hundreds of millions worth of that money was essentially hidden,” WSB-TV reports.
WSB-TV’s investigation led to Georgia changing its unclaimed property website. Previously, the website only reflected property claims valued at $50 or more, now Georgians can search for claims as low as $5.
After a 17-month dispute, dating back to November 2022, Dish customers can now once again enjoy WSB-TV and Channel 2 programs.
Comcast customers are forced to seek out alternative broadcasts for the Braves after the cable provider and the parent company of Bally Sports, the channel that broadcasts the Braves, failed to reach an agreement.
“A carriage dispute between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group is impacting several Major League Baseball teams including the #Braves. As a result, Comcast customers are currently unable to watch our games,” the Braves said in a statement made to X.
Comcast customers have been provided the solution of streaming the games from 680 The Fan’s website or app.
World Cafe’s “Sense of Place” highlights the Athens music scene over eight episodes.
The NPR series will share the past and present of Athens music history across the nation.
‘Sense of Place: Athens Georgia’ episode guide
- WUOG (Wednesday, May 8): A visit to the University of Georgia’s student-run radio station.
- Michael Stipe (Thursday, May 9): A replay of Douris’ 2022 “World Café” interview with R.E.M.’s lead singer.
- 40 Watt Club (Friday, May 10): Interview with Barrie Buck, who owns the historic music venue.
- Wuxtry Records (Monday, May 13): Interview with Dan Wall, owner of the downtown indie record store.
- The B-52s (Tuesday, May 14): A replay of the band’s 2008 “World Café” interview and live performance.
- Telemarket (Wednesday, May 15): Interview with the Athens punk band’s vocalist and guitarist, Adam Wayton.
- Patterson Hood (Thursday, May 16): A replay of the 2009 “World Café” interview with the Drive-By Truckers’ front man.
- Nuçi’s Space (Friday, May 17): A visit to the nonprofit organization and music community resource center.
