WERA Races To Return Before License Deadline

WERA-LP (96.7) is making a last minute push to return to the air following the collapse of Arlington Independent Media. The Arlington community station has been silent since July 28, 2025, after AIM’s financial troubles led to staff layoffs, board resignations and the county seizure and auction of its broadcast equipment. A county audit found serious documentation problems involving roughly $2 million in public funds, including more than $1 million in spending that could not be adequately supported. AIM has since applied to transfer the station’s license and antenna rights to a new nonprofit called Radio Arlington, which plans to offer local news, public affairs, arts programming, community voices and freeform music. 

Today, engineers are working to establish a temporary signal from the station’s existing Arlington rooftop site. A new FCC filing says Radio Arlington is still negotiating access to the portion of the building needed to run its transmission line. In the meantime, building management has authorized the group to install a temporary antenna on another section of the roof. The emergency facility would operate on 96.7 FM with just 20 watts.

The clock is ticking. The filing says WERA faces a July 28, 2026 deadline under Section 312(g), which can cause a station’s license to expire after one continuous year off the air. Radio Arlington is asking the FCC to quickly approve the temporary operation so WERA can resume at least limited service while the dispute over permanent access is resolved.