Snake River Asks ALJ for Shortened Renewal Term

The FCC should renew the license of Snake River Radio’s KPCQ(AM) Chubbuck, Idaho, for a shortened term rather than take the station’s license over its period of silence (see 2212130058), said Snake River’s reply submission Wednesday in docket 22-53, the station’s license proceeding before FCC Administrative Law Judge Jane Halprin. The station’s conflicting submissions about whether its tower had been dismantled stem from a misunderstanding in a single email to the agency from Snake River’s attorney Jeffrey Timmons, the broadcaster said. Its subsequent communications demonstrated that the tower was still standing, the reply filing said. “In hindsight, of course, Snake River wishes that it had explained the differences at that time,” said the filing. “But the fact is that Snake River has explained that discrepancy now, as supported by the August 5, 2018 email which demonstrates that it was just a drafting error by counsel.” The public interest wouldn't be served by taking the station’s license “as that would discourage parties from investing the effort and substantial funds risked to try to save a failing station,” the filing said. “The Commission should encourage -- rather than punish -- entrepreneurs willing to take the risks and invest both the time and funds necessary to try to save failing stations.”