FCC Orders Arizona Radio Station to Cease Operation, Citing Two Decades of Non-Compliance
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an order for Chavez Media to cease operation of its 93.9 KRIT Parker, AZ radio station by January 21, 2027. This directive is contingent on the station not completing its move to 92.7 MHz by that date, which would allow Estrella Broadcasting’s 93.9 KZXO Bluewater to commence operations. The FCC's decision stems from Chavez Media's prolonged failure to implement a channel change first granted in July 2005. At that time, Chavez Media was required to submit a minor change application within 90 days to upgrade KRIT from a Class C3 to a B1 station on 92.7 MHz. However, the application was not filed until eight years later, and that construction permit (CP) expired unbuilt in 2016. A replacement CP filed in 2023 also expired in June. Despite these lapses, KRIT has continued to operate on 93.9 MHz via an implied Special Temporary Authority (STA). Meanwhile, KZXO was granted a CP in 2023 to operate with KRIT’s current facilities, with a special condition that ...
