ALJ Halprin Rules Against Preliminary Snake River Request

Broadcaster Snake River Radio was “premature” in requesting that Administrative Law Judge Jane Halprin set aside allegations that Snake River’s license for KPCQ(AM) Chubbuck, Idaho, expired after it was silent for over a year, said an FCC order posted in docket 22-53 Thursday. Snake River maintained the station wasn’t silent for that long and the Enforcement Bureau’s perception that it was is due to “a misstatement by counsel.” Snake River gathered evidence to demonstrate the station was operating at the time, but Halprin ruled in Thursday’s order that such arguments should be made as part of the larger case. “Inherent in the notion of a full hearing is providing the Enforcement Bureau an opportunity to examine documentation, interview witnesses, and generally investigate Snake River’s claims,” Halprin said.