DA 21-1061
Released:  August 27. 2021

WMDN TV, LLC
3310 W. Braker Lane, Suite 300
Austin, TX 78758

                                                                                                 Re:  WMDN, Meridian, Mississippi
        								Facility ID No.:  73255
								FRN:  0019985605
								LMS File No.:  0000131605

Dear Licensee:
This letter is in reference to the license renewal application (Application) for WMDN, Meridian, Mississippi (Station), which is licensed to WMDN TV, LLC (Licensee). LMS File No. 0000131605.  The Application was filed on January 19, 2021 and was amended on August 25, 2021.  WMDN is a full power television station.
  We hereby admonish the Station for its violation of section 73.3526(e)(11)(i) of the Commission’s rules (Rules). 47 CFR § 73.3526(e)(11)(i).	
 
Section 73.3526(e)(11)(i) of the Rules requires every commercial television licensee to place in its Online Public Inspection File (OPIF), on a quarterly basis, a TV issues/programs list that details programs that have provided the station’s most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding three month period and must include a brief narrative of the issues addressed, as well as the time, date, duration, and title of each program in which the issues were treated. Id.
  TV issues/programs lists must be placed in the station’s OPIF by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter and copies must be retained until final action on the station’s next license renewal application. Id.

On January 19, 2021, the Licensee filed its Application.  A staff inspection of the Station’s OPIF revealed that the Licensee uploaded certain copies of its TV issues/programs lists after the deadline established in section 73.3526(e)(11)(i). Id.
  Specifically, it uploaded two lists between one month and one year late, and eight lists between one day and one month late.  This constitutes a violation of section 73.3526(e)(11)(i) of the Rules.
While we do not rule out more severe sanctions for similar violations of this nature in the future, we have determined that an admonition is appropriate at this time.  Therefore, based upon the facts and circumstances before us, we ADMONISH the Station for its violation of section 73.3526(e)(11)(i) of the Rules. This admonishment is issued pursuant sections 1.80 and 0.283(d) of the Rules, 47 CFR §§ 1.80 and 0.283.
  We remind the Licensee that the Commission expects all licensees to comply with the Commission’s public inspection file rules. 
In evaluating an application for license renewal, the Commission’s decision is governed by section 309(k) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act). 47 U.S.C. § 309(k).
  That section provides that if, upon consideration of the application and pleadings, we find that:  (1) the station has served the public interest, convenience, and necessity; (2) there have been no serious violations of the Act or the Rules; and (3) there have been no other violations which, taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse, we are to grant the renewal application. 47 U.S.C. § 309(k)(1).  
  If, however, the licensee fails to meet that standard, the Commission may deny the application—after notice and opportunity for a hearing under section 309(e) of the Act—or grant the application “on terms and conditions as are appropriate, including renewal for a term less than the maximum otherwise permitted.” 47 U.S.C. §§ 309(k)(2), 309(k)(3).
  We find that the Licensee’s apparent violation of section 73.3526(e)(11)(i) of the Rules does not constitute a “serious violation” warranting designation of the Application for evidentiary hearing.  Moreover, we find no evidence of violations that, when considered together, constitute a pattern of abuse.  Further, based on our review of the Application, we find that the Station served the public interest, convenience, and necessity during the subject license term.  
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, the application for renewal of license of WMDN, Meridian, Mississippi IS GRANTED.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that copies of this Letter shall be sent, by First Class and Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to WMDN TV, LLC, 3310 W. Braker Lane, Suite 300, Austin, TX, 78758, and to its contact representative, Mark Denbo, Smithwick & Belendiuk, P.C., 5028 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Suite 301, Washington, DC 20016.

							Sincerely,

							/s/
							
Barbara A. Kreisman
Chief, Video Division
Media Bureau