Details have been released regarding a settlement agreement reached between CapRadio, Sacramento’s PBS affiliate KVIE and the Capital Public Radio Endowment in a dispute over a broadcast tower.
The release comes one day after the three parties issued a joint statement saying they reached a “comprehensive settlement agreement” following successful mediation.
The legal fight surrounds a broadcasting tower and property along West Delano St. in Elverta which is central to CapRadio’s operations as it carries the station’s 90.9 FM signal.
In March 2024 the endowment donated the tower and property to KVIE. CapRadio maintained that it owns the tower and the land beneath it. Then, in October, KVIE filed a civil lawsuit against CapRadio over tower ownership.
Monday’s announcement included no details as to the settlement terms and CapRadio, KVIE and endowment members declined to provide additional comment. CapRadio reporters received the settlement agreement after filing a public records act request.
The details
Under the settlement terms KVIE will transfer the title for the Elverta property and tower to CapRadio. The document states that with respect to the transfer,” KVIE represents and warrants to CAPRADIO that (1) KVIE has the power and authority to transfer title to the ELVERTA PROPERTY to CAPRADIO pursuant to such quitclaim deed.”
The radio station will also withdraw its lis pendens, or notification of pending litigation. Parties also agreed to dismiss the civil suit on or before Sept. 1, 2026.
The Capital Public Radio Endowment’s board will vote to voluntarily dissolve the organization within 10 business days of the deal’s effective date of March 16, 2026.
The endowment will also request a dissolution waiver letter from the California Office of the Attorney General’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers and transfer its assets to distributees “consistent with the ENDOWMENT’s stated purpose.”
After receiving the dissolution waiver letter the endowment will contribute payments to both public media organizations. CapRadio will receive $1.1 million, while KVIE will receive $900,000. The settlement does not specify why these contributions will be made.
The endowment itself will also set up an approximately $300,000 cash reserve to wind down its operations and dissolve itself. CapRadio will receive any remaining funds after this process is complete.
All parties also agreed to nondisparagement and confidentiality terms, among other details.
The Capital Public Radio Endowment was formed in late 1986 independently of CapRadio with the goal of providing long-term financial support to the public radio station. For decades its bylaws specified CapRadio as the sole beneficiary, but this was changed in 2013 to include other similar entities.
The endowment’s 990 Form for the 2024 fiscal year shows the nonprofit had just over $2 million in assets. According to the AG’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, the endowment was listed as being “delinquent” after its registration expired on Nov. 15, 2023.
You can read the full settlement agreement here:
Disclosure: This story was reported and written by Senior Producer Sarit Laschinsky. It was edited by Editor Sally Longenecker.
Following NPR’s protocol for reporting on itself, no CapRadio corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted or broadcast.
You can read our independent ongoing coverage of financial issues at Capital Public Radio here.
Editor’s note: CapRadio is licensed to Sacramento State, which is also an underwriter.
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