COMMITTEES MIKE ROUNDS U.S. SENATOR ARMED SERVICES SOUTH DAKOTA BANKING. HOUSllllG, AND URBAN AffAIRS WWW ROUNDS SENATE GOV i.in1tcd ~tatc.s ~cnatc ENVIRONMENT AND PUllLJC WORKS VtrERANS' AfFAIRS WASHINGTON. DC 20510 442 July 7, 2019 The Honorable Ajit V. Pai The Honorable Makan Delrahim Chairman Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division Federal Communications Commission U.S. Department of Justice 45 12th Street, SW 950 Pennsylvania A venue, NW Washington, DC 20554 Washington, DC 20530 Dear Chairman Pai and Assistant Attorney General Delrahim: I understand that in May 2018 Gray Television and the Red River Broadcasting Company reached an agreement for KSFY-TV to acquire KDLT-TV in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, market. Before the acquisition was complete, in July 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a civil investigative demand (CID) to Gray Television regarding the acquisition. I understand the DOJ's role in investigating acquisitions between companies within the same market, but this particular review has taken an unusually long time, nearly 15 months. As South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, then South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, current South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and Senator John Thune wrote, this merger is in the public interest of South Dakotans. Gray Television has expressed that the merger will increase local news coverage and programming. Further, Gray Television has indicated they plan to open a news bureau in Pierre, South Dakota, our state capital. Opening a news bureau in Pierre will increase public access to government activities. The length of this review would be uncommon in many markets, but it is particularly uncommon in a market the size of Sioux Falls. Therefore, I encourage you to reach a timely conclusion based upon the law, regu lations and your obligations as an Assistant Attorney General. Thank you for your consideration of this request. United States Senator 111 Wrnr CAPHOi Av1·11111t 514 SOOIH MAHi Srn1 lrl 50:> 11.t,nr SEl'<ATE Orn<.e BLll<•· Sum 210 320 N mi; M"'"' Smu r. S1111£ A SIJITE 100 1313 WtlJl M ..1111 STllFEl WASIMl<JlUN. DC 20ti 10 P•Ett f. SD &7501 ~tf>• ~FALLS.SD571()6 ABEROFEN SD 57401 R ..l'Kl CITY, so 57701 12071224--5842 lll05) 21: 14!>0 (6051~86 605• 225-0300 6()5 343 5035 .