Jon Ellis
@ellisjon.bsky.social
Media and news nerd. Supporter of the Oxford Comma and two spaces after a period. Traveler and hiker going for slowest known time. www.NorthPine.com
Cumulus Media’s WNAM/1280 (Neenah-Menasha, Wis.) has announced plans to go silent at the end of 2025, the latest in a continuing trend of AM stations going off the air.
northpine.com/2025/12/17/c...
northpine.com/2025/12/17/c...
Cumulus to Silence Wisconsin AM Station at End of 2025
Cumulus Media's WNAM/1280 (Neenah-Menasha) has announced plans to go silent at the end of 2025, the latest in a continuing trend of AM stations going off the air. "This difficult decision comes in res...
northpine.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Cumulus Media’s WNAM/1280 (Neenah-Menasha, Wis.) has announced plans to go silent at the end of 2025, the latest in a continuing trend of AM stations going off the air.
northpine.com/2025/12/17/c...
northpine.com/2025/12/17/c...
The number of Upper Midwest radio stations flipping to All-Christmas formats has reached another new record high.
While most follow the same schedule each year, some waited a little longer this season while a few others started the seasonal playlist earlier.
northpine.com/2025/12/04/w...
While most follow the same schedule each year, some waited a little longer this season while a few others started the seasonal playlist earlier.
northpine.com/2025/12/04/w...
What Changed, And What Didn’t, With Christmas 2025 Radio Flips
The number of Upper Midwest radio stations flipping to All-Christmas formats reached another new record high this year.
northpine.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The number of Upper Midwest radio stations flipping to All-Christmas formats has reached another new record high.
While most follow the same schedule each year, some waited a little longer this season while a few others started the seasonal playlist earlier.
northpine.com/2025/12/04/w...
While most follow the same schedule each year, some waited a little longer this season while a few others started the seasonal playlist earlier.
northpine.com/2025/12/04/w...
It’s interesting how one or two songs from an artist can put them in your top 5 amid thousands of hours of listening (not that I object to the final outcome!)
December 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
It’s interesting how one or two songs from an artist can put them in your top 5 amid thousands of hours of listening (not that I object to the final outcome!)
The FCC’s latest quarterly station totals shows a continued decline in the number of AM stations, reaching levels last seen in the 1970s. Meanwhile, the number of FM and full-power TV stations is remaining largely steady.
northpine.com/2025/11/25/d...
northpine.com/2025/11/25/d...
Data Dump: AM Station Totals Decline; Little Change for FM, TV
The FCC's latest quarterly station totals shows a continued decline in the number of AM stations, while the number of FM and full-power TV stations is remaining largely steady. There were 4,343 licens...
northpine.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The FCC’s latest quarterly station totals shows a continued decline in the number of AM stations, reaching levels last seen in the 1970s. Meanwhile, the number of FM and full-power TV stations is remaining largely steady.
northpine.com/2025/11/25/d...
northpine.com/2025/11/25/d...
Nearly three years after it went silent, WELY-FM/94.5 (Ely, Minn.) has returned to the air at reduced power and is stunting.
northpine.com/2025/11/22/e...
(Photos courtesy Civic Media)
northpine.com/2025/11/22/e...
(Photos courtesy Civic Media)
November 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Nearly three years after it went silent, WELY-FM/94.5 (Ely, Minn.) has returned to the air at reduced power and is stunting.
northpine.com/2025/11/22/e...
(Photos courtesy Civic Media)
northpine.com/2025/11/22/e...
(Photos courtesy Civic Media)
A key FCC database came back online today, revealing that several Upper Midwest station sales closed during the government shutdown. Two stations report operating at reduced power while one station has increased power.
northpine.com/2025/11/18/f...
northpine.com/2025/11/18/f...
FCC Monitor Special Edition: Reopening Day Filings
Filings submitted to the FCC indicate several Upper Midwest station sales closed during the government shutdown. Two stations report operating at reduced power.
northpine.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A key FCC database came back online today, revealing that several Upper Midwest station sales closed during the government shutdown. Two stations report operating at reduced power while one station has increased power.
northpine.com/2025/11/18/f...
northpine.com/2025/11/18/f...
At least two more Upper Midwest stations have flipped to All-Christmas today, including one that hasn't made the switch since 2003:
northpine.com/2025-all-chr...
northpine.com/2025-all-chr...
northpine.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:50 PM
At least two more Upper Midwest stations have flipped to All-Christmas today, including one that hasn't made the switch since 2003:
northpine.com/2025-all-chr...
northpine.com/2025-all-chr...
While last year appeared to set a record for the number of All-Christmas stations in the Upper Midwest, 2025 is off to a slower start. But as of today, there are at least six stations in the region playing Santa's hits.
northpine.com/2025/11/02/e...
northpine.com/2025/11/02/e...
Early 2025 Radio Flips to Christmas Music Lag Behind Last Year
While last year appeared to set a record for the number of All-Christmas stations in the Upper Midwest, 2025 is off to a slower start. Four Upper Midwest stations are known to have made the flip on No...
northpine.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:05 PM
While last year appeared to set a record for the number of All-Christmas stations in the Upper Midwest, 2025 is off to a slower start. But as of today, there are at least six stations in the region playing Santa's hits.
northpine.com/2025/11/02/e...
northpine.com/2025/11/02/e...
Update: Two major Milwaukee commercial radio stations have made their anticipated switches to national non-commercial Christian music networks.
northpine.com/2025/10/30/a...
northpine.com/2025/10/30/a...
Update: “K-Love,” “Air1” Launch on Major Milwaukee Signals
Two major Milwaukee commercial radio stations have made their anticipated switches to national non-commercial Christian music networks. "Air1" debuted on WLUM-FM/102.1 on Tuesday, Oct. 28, followed by...
northpine.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Update: Two major Milwaukee commercial radio stations have made their anticipated switches to national non-commercial Christian music networks.
northpine.com/2025/10/30/a...
northpine.com/2025/10/30/a...
For the first time in its 39-year history, the FOX broadcast network is available over the air in Mason City, Iowa.
northpine.com/2025/10/30/m...
northpine.com/2025/10/30/m...
Mason City Gets Over-The-Air Access to FOX for First Time
For the first time in its 39-year history, the FOX broadcast network is now available over the air in Mason City, Iowa. Gray Media's KXLT-TV/47.1 (Rochester, Minn.) announced the expansion of its cove...
northpine.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
For the first time in its 39-year history, the FOX broadcast network is available over the air in Mason City, Iowa.
northpine.com/2025/10/30/m...
northpine.com/2025/10/30/m...
It may not feel like it, but the first flips to All-Christmas radio formats are likely days away. Last year appeared to set a record in the Upper Midwest - here's a look at the trends:
2024 Christmas Flips Came Later, Then Surpassed Previous Years
It appears a record number of Upper Midwest radio stations may have flipped to All-Christmas playlists this holiday season, despite getting off to a later start. 136 Upper Midwest and Manitoba station...
northpine.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It may not feel like it, but the first flips to All-Christmas radio formats are likely days away. Last year appeared to set a record in the Upper Midwest - here's a look at the trends:
Radio legend Ed De La Hunt has died following a decades-long career of building and running radio stations in northern Minnesota.
northpine.com/2025/10/27/m...
northpine.com/2025/10/27/m...
Minnesota Radio Legend Ed De La Hunt Passes Away
Radio legend Ed De La Hunt has died following a decades-long career of building and running radio stations in northern Minnesota. Ed and Carol De La Hunt signed on KPRM (Park Rapids) in 1962, followed...
northpine.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Radio legend Ed De La Hunt has died following a decades-long career of building and running radio stations in northern Minnesota.
northpine.com/2025/10/27/m...
northpine.com/2025/10/27/m...
With the FCC now mostly closed for nearly four weeks, many applications remain pending. Here's a look at what's on hold in the Upper Midwest.
northpine.com/2025/10/27/n...
northpine.com/2025/10/27/n...
Not the FCC Monitor: Things That Haven’t Happened
A look at some of the applications remain pending before the FCC as a partial government shutdown continues. In Milwaukee, the situation has led to two stations using the same slogan.
northpine.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:07 PM
With the FCC now mostly closed for nearly four weeks, many applications remain pending. Here's a look at what's on hold in the Upper Midwest.
northpine.com/2025/10/27/n...
northpine.com/2025/10/27/n...
With Halloween approaching, how about listening to some dead radio stations? The tower site for the former KPNP/1600 (Watertown, MN) is shown here. Follow the link to hear some other now-deleted Upper Midwest AM and FM stations.
northpine.com/2025/10/25/v...
northpine.com/2025/10/25/v...
October 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
With Halloween approaching, how about listening to some dead radio stations? The tower site for the former KPNP/1600 (Watertown, MN) is shown here. Follow the link to hear some other now-deleted Upper Midwest AM and FM stations.
northpine.com/2025/10/25/v...
northpine.com/2025/10/25/v...
After decades of audience erosion, the model for how legacy TV operates is changing quickly. One thing is clear: the only future for local media is local content.
Newsroom Notes: The Future of Local TV is Already Streaming
After decades of audience erosion, the model for how legacy TV operates is changing quickly. One thing is clear: the only future for local media is local content. It may sound like an obvious statemen...
northpine.com
July 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM
After decades of audience erosion, the model for how legacy TV operates is changing quickly. One thing is clear: the only future for local media is local content.
A YouTuber reaching millions just travelled through Minnesota on a 50-state fundraiser for St. Jude. We legacy broadcasters might want to pay attention to what he’s doing.
Fundraiser’s Minnesota Drama Highlights YouTube’s Success – NorthPine: Upper Midwest Broadcasting
northpine.com
July 20, 2025 at 1:54 PM
A YouTuber reaching millions just travelled through Minnesota on a 50-state fundraiser for St. Jude. We legacy broadcasters might want to pay attention to what he’s doing.
Wow, this is horrible. I was there for the first time just last year. It was a beautiful building.
The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning.
A historic Grand Canyon lodge has been destroyed by wildfire, park official says
The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning.…
buff.ly
July 13, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Wow, this is horrible. I was there for the first time just last year. It was a beautiful building.
One of broadcasters’ frequent complaints about the AM band is that there are simply too many stations on it. The more stations on each frequency, the more potential for interference.
So, that raises the question: exactly how many stations are on each AM frequency?
So, that raises the question: exactly how many stations are on each AM frequency?
Data Dump: The Number of U.S. Stations on Each AM Frequency
Some broadcasters say that the AM band is too crowded, causing stations to interfere with each other at night. So, which frequencies are the least and most crowded?
northpine.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:39 PM
One of broadcasters’ frequent complaints about the AM band is that there are simply too many stations on it. The more stations on each frequency, the more potential for interference.
So, that raises the question: exactly how many stations are on each AM frequency?
So, that raises the question: exactly how many stations are on each AM frequency?
I consider myself very fortunate that, after more than a quarter-century in a volatile business, this is the first time that leaving a job was not my idea.
Off Topic: After Three Years, Resuming a “Mini-Retirement”
I consider myself very fortunate that, after more than a quarter-century in a volatile business, this is the first time that leaving a job was not my idea.
northpine.com
July 8, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I consider myself very fortunate that, after more than a quarter-century in a volatile business, this is the first time that leaving a job was not my idea.
Pro side of living near Lake Superior: you can verify your furnace still works in mid June
June 13, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Pro side of living near Lake Superior: you can verify your furnace still works in mid June
Last weekend I set out to camp and hike, but ended up logging 124 FM stations from six states and provinces too
DX Log: 124 FM’s from 6 States and Provinces in 1 Night of Camping – NorthPine: Upper Midwest Broadcasting
northpine.com
June 6, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Last weekend I set out to camp and hike, but ended up logging 124 FM stations from six states and provinces too
Why does Spotify’s AI DJ explain what it does everytime I start it? Once should be enough
June 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Why does Spotify’s AI DJ explain what it does everytime I start it? Once should be enough
Not an April Fools' stunt? KQRS may be doing more than just making minor adjustments: northpine.com/2025/04/01/k...
KQRS Escalates Stunting Days Ahead of Promoted Change
KQRS has escalated its stunting, switching to a loop of a Soul Asylum song with a few other Minnesota Alternative artists added to the mix.
northpine.com
April 2, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Not an April Fools' stunt? KQRS may be doing more than just making minor adjustments: northpine.com/2025/04/01/k...
Great to see that the hiking bridge at Tettegouche is going to be replaced, but quite a bummer that the entire trailhead will be closed during construction. Specifics not yet posted on park website…
Beginning this summer, there will be more free ways to get into parks and recreation areas, with more passes for library cardholders.
Six new or improved features across Minnesota’s state parks this year
The state will build its first campground for ATVers up north.
www.startribune.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Great to see that the hiking bridge at Tettegouche is going to be replaced, but quite a bummer that the entire trailhead will be closed during construction. Specifics not yet posted on park website…