The FCC’s Media Bureau imposes a $16,500 fine on Shelby Broadcast Associates, former licensee of FM translator W252BE in Birmingham, AL, for unauthorized operations. Valleydale Broadcasting, the previous owner, received Special Temporary Authority (STA) in November 2015 to operate with altered specifications due to a severed cable. The STA, extended once, expired in November 2016. Shelby purchased the signal in April 2017, and alleged interference with Marble City Media’s WSGN led to disputes. Shelby attempted to make STA terms permanent but failed. In 2020, the translator was sold to Rivera Communications. The FCC finds Shelby operated W252BE without proper authorization since the STA’s 2016 expiration, falsely certifying compliance in its renewal application, resulting in the fine. The Media Bureau acknowledges an error in granting a renewal application with unresolved issues.