A long-running legal battle over the future of NPR affiliate WLRN-FM Miami (91.3) has been resolved through an out-of-court settlement.
In an agreement announced Thursday, the Miami-Dade County School Board — which owns the news/talk station — and South Florida Public Media Group (SFPMG), which manages it, have reached a new seven-year management contract for WLRN.
The deal also ends their dispute over SFPMG’s planned purchase of urban AC station WFLM (104.7) in West Palm Beach.
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| 104.7 FM (50 Kw) |
Under the settlement, SFPMG will acquire WFLM from JDD Radio for $6.45 million and immediately transfer ownership of the station to the School Board for $1. This will allow WLRN to simulcast on 104.7 FM, significantly expanding its reach into the Palm Beach area.
The two parties issued a joint statement saying they “have amicably resolved their business dispute and litigation, ensuring that WLRN can continue serving the South Florida community for many years to come.”
The settlement includes an amended management agreement that creates a fiduciary relationship between the parties, extends SFPMG’s operational control of WLRN (and eventually WFLM) for seven years, and requires SFPMG to revise its corporate purpose, governance structure, and leadership. As part of those changes, WLRN Senior Economics Editor Tom Hudson has been named Interim CEO.
Both organizations emphasized their commitment to “preserving the integrity, quality, and goodwill of WLRN” and protecting its employees and resources.
The previous management agreement was set to expire in June 2027. The School Board had sued SFPMG to block the WFLM acquisition, arguing the purchase would overlap with WLRN’s service area and that restricted endowment funds could not legally be used. The board also filed objections and a petition for reconsideration with the FCC.
Last month, the FCC approved the sale of WFLM to SFPMG despite the School Board’s objections. SFPMG had maintained that the new full-power station would serve more than 800,000 Palm Beach County residents who currently have limited access to public radio programming.
The final settlement includes mutual releases of all claims and no admission of liability by either party.