Washington Beat

The AM for Every Vehicle Act has already gained majority support of Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. It is nearing a simple majority in the Senate. Did heavy lobbying from automakers including General Motors and Honda to prevent the bill from moving forward fall flat?

In a change from 2023, the program features a new structure that caters to the diversity of the NAB Show audience with individual sessions focusing on inclusion across the wider media, entertainment and technology industries.

Vertical Bridge and Drake Services have been granted a FCC waiver of lighting inspection requirements for antenna structures that use a state-of-the-art continuous monitoring system. Details came on Tuesday in a Memorandum Opinion and Order.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has confirmed the recharter of the agency’s Communications Equity and Diversity Council and on Thursday named members to the advisory panel. The timing is key, as the CEDC's first meeting is Wednesday.

Are you among the lucky 5% of radio station owners who will randomly receive an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) audit for 2024? You'll soon find out, as the FCC Enforcement Bureau has initiated its first round of verification checks.

The Media Bureau of the FCC is moving forward with seeking public input on a proposal that would adjust the wattage of a future FM radio station licensed to the Central Illinois city of Mattoon. It involves a change to the Table of Allotments.

The University of South Florida graduate, who was a student intern for Rep. Kathy Castor, will serve as a spokesperson for the association and will help develop and execute messaging strategies to advance broadcasters’ policy agenda before Congress and the FCC.

The 2024 Election Toolkit, found online, provides local television and radio broadcasters with tips and resources to combat misinformation, drive get-out-the-vote efforts and cover local, state and federal elections.

In late January, the owner of a low-power digital television station sought to put a stop to the "Low Power Protection Act" — a law the FCC unanimously enacted despite opposition from the Frank Copsidas-created LPTV Broadcasters Association. Last week, the court ruled against the LPTV licensee.

On Monday, President Joe Biden outlined his $7.3 trillion federal budget plan for the 2025 fiscal year. Included in that plan is a substantial increase in funds for the Federal Communications Commission and a future raise for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If the White House's proposal passes, the FCC will get $390,192,000 - an increase of 14.8%.

"Meeting voters where they are," is the reasoning behind President Joe Biden's multi-million dollar radio advertising push in battleground states, announced on Friday. The six-week push comes as former President Donald Trump also turns to the reach of AM/FM. With both sides looking for an edge, President Biden's camp is pouring $30 million in total ads and strategic tours across pivotal battleground states.

The FCC has announced when comments and, subsequently, reply comments are due for the public to chime in on PS Docket No. 15-94 — designed to make it easier for emergency managers to send alerts to those who do not understand English over the nation’s broadcast airwaves.

With the State of the Union now in the rear view mirror, big political ad placements are only poised to blossom in the coming weeks. But where should political advertising go?

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel took note of that unwelcomed anniversary, issuing a statement that put a spotlight on the potential next steps "in light of this reality for the agency."

A principal NPR and PBS Member serving Virginia has received the FCC's blessing to add a channel to its Table of Allotments for a city between the college town of Charlottesville and Staunton, along the busy I-81 corridor to the south of the home of James Madison University.