Three local radio stations could soon go quiet

Three long-running Sault-area radio staples — ‘Rock 101,’ ‘99.5 Yes FM’ and ‘Oldies 93’ — might be in trouble

The twin Saults could lose “Rock 101″ WSUE, CHR “99.5 Yes FM” WYSS, and “Oldies 93” WNBY-FM, three historic and long-popular radio stations broadcasting out of Sault, Michigan.

They are holdings of Sovereign Communications, and that company is in trouble with the FCC and the City of Sault Ste. Marie for unpaid fees and rent.

Inside Radio reports that Sovereign Communications also owes the FCC regulatory fees, interest, and penalties for the years 2001 to 2024, and it will lose its licences for seven stations broadcasting in northern Michigan, including Rock 101 and Yes FM, if it doesn’t pay up in 60 days.

“The largest balances are tied to the FM facilities, including more than $9,500 owed for WSUE and over $7,000 each for WYSS and WMKD,” reports Inside Radio.

More money problems came to light for Sovereign Communications at the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission meeting on Monday evening.

The Sault Ste. Marie City Commission voted to authorize its interim City Manager, Robin Troyer, to enter into negotiations with Sovereign Communications to arrive at a deal that would see the company repay the seven years of rent it owes for its city-owned broadcasting tower.

Troyer told council that Sovereign owes the city over $10,000 in unpaid rent for the tower it leased in March 1990. 

“City administration, over the past seven years, has attempted to collect without any success,” she said.

“Back in August of 2025, we had our legal counsel issue a formal letter of notice to Sovereign Communications advising them of the breach of the lease and demanding payment.”

Until about an hour before Monday’s meeting, the city had not heard from Sovereign at all, Troyer added. 

Sovereign sent a request to pay the amount it owes in back rent in monthly payments, beginning with a payment of roughly $2,100 on February 20 at about 5:23 p.m. on Monday, she added. 

City Commission decided to authorize the creation of a repayment agreement rather than terminate the lease with Sovereign Communications, giving Rock 101 and Yes FM, as well as five other Sovereign Communications holdings, a reprieve. 

SooLeader has reached out to Sovereign Communications management for comment.