These are full-powered stations, but they are operated as translators. As far as I know, they have no business offices or studios in the Portland metro area. If somebody wanted to look at the public inspection file for one of these stations, they would have to go to the owners' headquarters in California. As far as I know, the current law would not allow a commercial broadcaster to operate full-powered stations as translators in this way. When did non-comms get this level of privilege (or am I wrong in my understanding of the situation with KZRI/KLVP)?

Locally owned translators can rebroadcast what they want (as long as copyright laws and network agreements are not infringed). Local owners can receive maintenance fees, lease fees, etc. but I'm thinking they cannot receive a "piece of the action" directly. I think there are significant rules differences whether com or noncom, but I might be wrong. So, if you are a com station and want your stuff outside your coverage area, you have to find someone willing to be the legal owner operator of the translator and pay the fees to get it going. I'm sure those rules are skirted. If non com, I think you can own it yourself, fund the whole thing, etc. I remember religious broadcasters challenging this many years ago, but they lost because they are commercial licensees.

While KZRI and KLVP are operated much like translators, legally they are "stations" and not "translators," therefore translator rules do not apply. Beyond this, someone more knowdgable than I will need to answer questions related to station studios, public inspection files, etc.

Educational Media Foundation, the owner of KZRI and KLVP, does have local management offices in each reigon and market they serve in the country with at least one employee. This person is titled "Regional Manager" and also maintains the local public file.

Having said this, I do not know where the Portland regional office is for EMF, but they had a real nice guy in my last market who did a great job serving the local community.

> Educational Media Foundation, the owner of KZRI and
> KLVP, does have local management offices in each
> reigon and market they serve in the country with at
> least one employee.

This answers it for me. Thanks.