Free State Communications LLC, a newly created Lawrence company, has reached agreement to acquire KTKA-TV, Topeka’s Channel 49.

The Federal Communications Commission Monday accepted an application to assign the broadcast license to Free State Communications. Final FCC approval is expected this summer.

The ABC affiliate went on the air in 1983. It has about 30 employees. The station’s tower site is west of Topeka; its studio and offices are at 2121 S.W. Chelsea, Topeka.

Free State Communications is owned primarily by The World Company, which publishes the Lawrence Journal-World and operates Sunflower Broadband, and by individuals involved in its operations and management.

Patrick Knorr, general manager of Sunflower Broadband, is manager of Free State. Also assisting Free State with the acquisition and proposed operation has been Rick Rogala, of Carmel, Ind., who has held television management posts at stations in Indianapolis, Ind.; Tampa, Fla.; Cincinnati, Ohio, and Grand Rapids, Mich.