Indiana public broadcasting stations could shutter in wake of funding cuts

Chicago Tribune

21-07-2025

Public broadcasting stations, including Lakeshore Public Media, are bracing for an uncertain future after Congress axed much of their funding late last week.
On Friday, Congress approved about $9 billion in federal spending cuts requested by President Donald Trump, including deep reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid, moving forward on one of the president's top priorities despite concerns from several Republican senators.
The legislation would claw back nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount it's due to receive during the next two budget years.
The corporation distributes more than 70% of the money to more than 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations, with much of the remainder assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service to support national programming.
The Senate approved the package in a 51-48 vote after 2 a.m. Thursday, while the House voted 216-213 early Friday.
Senator Todd Young said on X, formerly known as Twitter, ahead of the Senate vote that he would support the package because it 'is a small but important step toward greater fiscal responsibility.'
Senator Jim Banks said 'defunding NPR and cutting woke foreign aid was an easy yes vote.'
'Hardworking Hoosiers shouldn't be forced to foot the bill for left-wing media or social experiments overseas,' Banks said.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, voted against the recissions, but didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mark Newman, executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Inc., said in a statement Monday that there's a 'distinct possibility' that Indiana stations will shutter as a result of the federal funding cuts, especially when combined with the state legislature's cut to public media funding, Newman said.
'This is a serious setback. All of our IPBS member stations — including Lakeshore — are directly impacted. While Congress may be targeting NPR and PBS in its defunding efforts, the true burden will fall on local stations. Seventy percent of federal public media funding goes directly to local stations,' Newman said.
With the combined federal and state cuts, Lakeshore Public Media is set to lose around $940,000 or about 60% of its annual budget, Lakeshore Public Media CEO Chuck Roberts told the Post-Tribune in June. The station started layoffs and shifting its employees to part-time status last month.
Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, which reach 95% of the state, aim to ensure public safety, provide educational programming and foster civic and community connection, Newman said.
'Stations like Lakeshore will be forced to scale back services, and that means fewer resources for Hoosiers across the state,' Newman said. 'Those in rural and underserved communities — who rely most on free, locally controlled media — will feel it the most.'
Lakeshore Public Television was established in 1987.
IPBS, a non-profit consortium of 17 public radio and television stations established in 1979, recently announced it will be eliminating its team of eight reporters and editors at the end of 2025 after the state cut the $3.67 million it receives annually.
Katherine Maher, the president and CEO of NPR, said in a statement that Congress' vote was 'an unwarranted dismantling of beloved local civic institutions, and an act of Congress that disregards the public will.'
'Americans listen to their local NPR stations daily, watch their favorite PBS shows loyally, raise their children on educational television, and listen to music stations that showcase the best of our home-grown music traditions,' Maher said.
At the cost of about $1.60 per American annually, public radio stations provide cultural, informational and educational programming as well as access to vital emergency alerting and reporting during times of crisis, Maher said.
The locally owned and independent public radio stations reach 99.7% of Americans and employ thousands of people, Maher said. The radio stations cover town councils, statehouse affairs, local elections and other events, she said.
Public radio stations also provide life-saving emergency broadcasting and weather alerts, Maher said. For example, as the Senate was voting on the package, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Alaska and three coastal stations started broadcasting live tsunami warnings, she said.
'Even in the face of evacuation warnings, staff at KUCB remained at the station at sea level to get emergency messages on the air in coordination with public safety officials,' Maher said.
Maher said the vote created 'a tremendous setback' for public media.
'If a station doesn't survive this sudden turn by Congress, a vital stitch in our American fabric will be gone for good,' Maher said. 'Together — and with support from listeners and readers in communities around the nation — we will work to rebuild.'