October 3, 2025: As this is being written, Congress is still deadlocked, but unless a funding agreement is reached by midnight tonight, the federal government will experience a partial shutdown. If no deal is reached, non-essential government services will halt, and federal workers may face furloughs or unpaid work. If you believe the stories, some may lose their jobs.

Now, down to business: All Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) participants, including radio broadcasters, must file ETRS Form One by Friday, October 3, 2025. This applies to full-power radio and TV stations, LPFM stations, and cable systems. Translator stations and repeaters that rebroadcast 100% of another station’s programming are exempt.

We’ve been told that there will be no EAS test this year, but you still have to file the Form One online.

But, you ask, what about the possible shutdown? If the government shuts down, the FCC may pause operations, but do not assume the deadline will be extended. In past shutdowns, the FCC has continued limited operations for a few days using reserve funds.

October 10, 2025: Q3, 2025 Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists (July 1 – September 30)

Who must file:

• Full-power radio and television stations
• Class A television stations
• Certain LPTV stations

What is required:

• Stations must upload a Quarterly Issues/Programs List to their FCC-hosted Online Public Inspection File.
• This list should document the most significant issues facing the station’s community and the programming aired that addressed those issues during Q3, 2025.

Why it matters:

• These reports demonstrate a station’s compliance with the FCC’s public interest obligations.
• Failure to file on time can result in FCC fines, with a base penalty of $10,000 for missing or late filings.