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Civic Media Expands Footprint into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

July 11, 2025

Wisconsin-based Civic Media is acquiring five stations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from J&J Broadcasting. Civic Media says the deal will be completed through a newly formed partnership between Civic Media and the Michigan Independent Media Group. Included in the deal are WJMS-AM and WIMI-FM in Ironwood; WUPY-FM, Ontonagon; and WKMJ-FM and WMPL-AM in Hancock-Houghton.

The purchase of J&J’s stations will be completed by the newly formed Michigan Civic Media Alliance, which is two-thirds owned by Sage Weil’s Civic Media, with the balance held by Jason Franklin’s Michigan Independent Media Group. Upon final approval, Civic Media will operate 23 stations in Wisconsin, two in northern Minnesota, and five in Michigan.

Civic Media vice president of operations Kory Hartmann says, “These heritage radio stations have served their local communities for years and are strong partners with local businesses and organizations. We intend to continue that legacy of service and add a wider array of products to keep people in touch with their community.”

“MIMG’s launch was inspired in part by Civic Media’s leadership in sustaining independent media in Wisconsin,” said Jason Franklin, MIMG’s General Partner. “We’re excited to be formally partnering with them for their first expansion into the great state of Michigan and to work with them to preserve and expand vibrant local media across our state.”

Jerry Hackman, president of J&J Broadcasting, said “We are very pleased to announce the sale of the stations, and we could not be more pleased with the buyer.  We are very comfortable turning over the customer and employee relationships over to Civic Media as they have made great strides in just a short time and they continue to stress the importance of local and small town radio.  I’d like to sincerely thank everyone that has supported us in various ways over the last 42 years.”

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