FCC rebuffed on “localism” rules
 Nearly one-third of the U.S. House of Representatives this month expressed their opposition to the FCC’s plans to reinstitute the stifling broadcast regulatory regime in place 40 years ago through the so-called “localism” rulemaking proceeding.
In a hastily-organized letter campaign championed by Reps. Mike Ross, D-Ark., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., 123 representatives signed a letter questioning the constitutionality of the FCC’s efforts to “effectively force broadcasters to air programming that fits pre-ordained categories.”
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Register now for TAB/SBE 2008 in Austin
Plans are nearing the final stages for the TAB/SBE Convention & Trade Show, Aug. 6-8 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.
Registration is open. Plan now to send staff to Austin in August for the Texas broadcast industry’s biggest confab!
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Texas broadcasters address key issues in Washington
 TAB took it’s largest group in several years to NAB’s State Leadership Conference in DC at end of February.
Nearly 20 Texas broadcasters met with 31 of 34 Members of Texas’ Congressional delegation (or their staff) over two days.
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Award nominations due May 1
 The May 1 deadline is approaching to nominate deserving broadcasters for TAB’s annual awards.
The awards will be presented at the 55th Annual TAB/SBE Convention & Trade Show, Aug. 6-8 in Austin.
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DTV converter coupons going fast
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has received applications for 9.3 million coupons from nearly 4.9 million households as of April 1.
This represents nearly 28 percent of the 33.5 million coupons available under law.
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Momentum builds to pass FFOIA
With about nine months remaining until the Legislature meets again, momentum is building here and elsewhere to pass a Free Flow of Information Act (FFOIA) in Texas.
Similar laws provide protections for the confidentiality of whistleblowers who provide information to journalists about wrongdoing on the promise their names will not be revealed for fear of losing their jobs or their lives.
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Texas Sales Idol: submit your entry today!
 So, you’re the top biller at your station.
You’re the best.
You’re a “sales idol” in your own mind…but isn’t it time you were recognized by everyone in the Texas broadcast industry?
Prove it! Enter TAB’s first Texas Sales Idol contest!
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TAB Board elections process starts in June
 The elections process for TAB’s Board of Directors kicks off June 8 when nomination packets will arrive in members’ mail boxes.
Nominations are being solicited for 12 open seats.
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Severe weather awareness test shows weakness of EAS local originations
By Ben Downs, general manager of Bryan Broadcasting
 In a February EAS weather drill, as many as a third of the stations in the Houston/Galveston weather district could not confirm reception of the test data.
Every year the National Weather Service in southeast Texas conducts a tornado drill during Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Since the EAS system across Texas is under review for adjustments this year, it seemed like this would be a good time to help the NWS evaluate just how well the local EAS system in this region works.
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FCC to host EAS summit
 The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau will host a summit on the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS) on May 19 at the FCC’s Washington, D.C. offices.
The summit, entitled Promoting an Effective Emergency Alert System on the Road to a Next Generation EAS, will focus on the current state of the nation's EAS and what is needed to transition to a more robust, Next Generation alert and warning system to help ensure that all citizens receive accurate and timely information during emergencies.
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