As 2017 began, a Class D daytime-only AM radio station serving Laurel, Ms., and its companion FM translator, shifted programming from Black Gospel to “throwback” hip-hop as “Power 101.” In March 2018, owner Donald Pugh Sr. transferred the facilities to his Eternity Media Group.
Now, it seems, the FCC has been waiting an eternity for its annual regulatory fees. As such, it has ordered Pugh to pay up or risk losing the stations’ licenses.
That puts WHJA-AM 890 & W266CT in Laurel in the crosshairs of acting Media Bureau Chief Alex Sanjenis, who has initiated a license revocation proceeding for failure to pay delinquent regulatory fees and associated interest, administrative costs, and penalties owed to the FCC.
The Commission’s records show that Eternity currently has unpaid regulatory fee debt for WHJA of $2,476.30 for FY 2019; $2,843.75 for FY 2020; $2,831.25 for FY 2021; $3,154.85 for FY 2022; $2,866.90 for FY 2024; and $2,783.40 for FY 2025, for a total of $16,956.45.
Not only are these fees unpaid, but Pugh seemingly ignored DCIA demand letters and, later, U.S. Treasury collection notices.
Now, Pugh must pay up, under orders from Sanjenis and FCC Managing Director Dan Daly.
