A long contentious battle over the future direction of NPR affiliate WLRN-FM Miami (91.3) has been resolved.
In an out-of-court settlement announced Thursday, the Miami-Dade County School Board, which owns the news/talk outlet, and South Florida Public Media Group (SFPMG), which manages it, say they have struck a seven-year management deal for WLRN.
An earlier management agreement was set to expire in June 2027.
The settlement also resolves a legal dispute over SFPMG’s pending $6.45 million purchase of urban AC “The Flame 104.7” WFLM West Palm Beach from JDD Radio. It calls for SFPMG to acquire the WPB FM and then transfer ownership of it to the school board for $1.
The board earlier sued the media nonprofit over the proposed acquisition and unsuccessfully tried to thwart approval of the sale by the Federal Communications Commission.
In a joint statement, the two parties say that “they have amicably resolved their business dispute and litigation, ensuring that WLRN can continue serving the South Florida community for many years to come.”
Resolving the clash over WFLM will allow WLRN to simulcast on 104.7 FM, expanding its reach into the Palm Beaches.
Last month the FCC approved the sale of WFLM to South Florida Public Media Group, despite objections filed by WLRN’s owner. The school board had argued that the plan to launch a full-powered public news/talk station in West Palm Beach would overlap with WLRN’s existing service area.
Then, in a petition for reconsideration, the school board asked the FCC to reconsider its approval, arguing that the money SFPMG planned to use to acquire and operate WFLM was tied to a restricted endowment used to support WLRN, and therefore could not legally be used for the acquisition.
SFPMG has long maintained that the new station would serve more than 800,000 residents in Palm Beach County — many of whom currently lack access to full public radio coverage. WLRN programming is currently only available in the area via a low-powered translator at 101.9 FM.
Under the agreement, SFPMG will continue managing WLRN, including reporting local news and “producing thoughtful programming that informs and engages the community,” the joint statement says.
The settlement formally resolves litigation between the school board and the nonprofit media group through a comprehensive agreement that includes mutual releases of all claims and no admission of liability by any party.
The settlement also includes an Amended Management and Program Service Agreement among the parties, creating a fiduciary relationship and extending SFPMG’s management of WLRN and WFLM, once its purchase is finalized, for an additional seven years. SFPMG has also agreed to revise its corporate purpose, governance structure, and leadership. As part of that, the media nonprofit has named Tom Hudson, WLRN’s Senior Economics Editor, as Interim CEO.
Both parties say they “remain dedicated to preserving the integrity, quality, and goodwill of WLRN for the benefit of the community.” Adding that their priority “is to protect the employees and resources that support the high-quality journalism and programming that make WLRN a valued public service institution throughout South Florida.”
