Latest news with #AllThingsConsidered
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
South Florida Public Media Group announces plans to purchase and operate a new NPR station in West Palm Beach.
MIAMI, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- South Florida Public Media Group (SFPMG), the public media management company for WLRN – South Florida's flagship NPR station, is proud to announce its strategic expansion into Palm Beach and Martin Counties with the acquisition of "The Flame" 104.7, a full-powered FM radio station licensed to serve the growing and diverse communities in this region. Upon closing, SFPMG plans to convert the current commercial FCC license for 104.7FM to a non-commercial license which will offer public radio programming including NPR. This bold move marks a significant milestone in SFPMG's mission to ensure that high-quality journalism and trusted NPR programming are accessible to all South Floridians. Once approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this acquisition will bring vital news and information to an unduplicated audience of more than 800,000 residents—many of whom are currently unserved by robust public media coverage. The station will operate as a community licensee, with a strong focus on public service and civic engagement. The station will provide in-depth local news, investigative reporting, and national programming from NPR, offering a reliable source of information to the residents of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. "This acquisition is more than just an expansion—it's a commitment to public trust, to community, and to closing the radio news gap that currently exists in Palm Beach and Martin Counties," said John LaBonia, CEO of South Florida Public Media Group. "We are making sure that no corner of South Florida remains a news desert." The transaction is contingent upon regulatory approval from the FCC, which is expected in the coming months. Once finalized, 104.7 FM will be integrated into SFPMG's broader network, ensuring consistent, high-quality public service journalism throughout South Florida. This development is part of SFPMG's long-term strategic plan to strengthen the footprint of public media across the region and safeguard its future in a rapidly evolving media landscape. According to Richard Rampell, Chairman of SFPMG, "in an era where reliable local news is more essential than ever, along with emergency communications and valued NPR programming like "All Things Considered", "Morning Edition" and "Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!", this acquisition underscores SFPMG's unwavering commitment and dedication to being a trusted voice for the communities it serves." About South Florida Public Media GroupSouth Florida Public Media Group is a nonprofit public media organization committed to providing high-quality journalism, educational programming, and cultural content to the diverse communities of South Florida. As the public media manager for WLRN, SFPMG is a pillar of trusted news and storytelling across radio, digital, and community platforms. About WLRN Public MediaWLRN Public Media is South Florida's trusted source for news, entertainment, and educational programming. Operating both radio and television stations, WLRN delivers a wide array of content, including NPR news, classical music, and locally produced shows that capture the essence of the region. Committed to community engagement and storytelling, WLRN serves as a vital resource for audiences from Palm Beach to Key West For media inquiries, please contact:Giselle ReidVP of Marketing and Communications954.881.4112greid@ View original content: SOURCE WLRN Public Media Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Axios
30-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
NPR cuts could weigh on North Carolina's largest public radio stations
North Carolina's largest public radio stations — WFAE and WUNC, which serve Charlotte and the Triangle, respectively — get hundreds of thousands of dollars a year from the federal government. Absent those funds, the stations may have to scale back their offerings. Why it matters: A federal halt of funding for public radio stations, as the Trump administration has proposed, could affect how some communities access local news and information — from what their state lawmakers are doing to alerts from the emergency broadcast system. Catch up quick: Earlier this month, President Trump issued an executive order to halt federal support for NPR and PBS, calling the two biggest public broadcasters in the U.S. "biased." The latest: NPR and several affiliates on Tuesday announced they're suing the Trump administration over the executive order to curtail their funding. By the numbers: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting allocates about $535 million in federal funding annually to NPR and PBS, including to local stations. Zoom in: WFAE and WUNC each get about $800,000 annually from the federal government, according to station leaders. These funds are both direct, meaning they're matching funds based on how much revenue the stations generate; and indirect, which refers to shared public radio infrastructure and support like music licensing. These funds represent about 5% of the stations' budgets. Between the lines: The biggest expenses for these stations are personnel and programming. NPR affiliates are required to carry expensive programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered, but other smaller programs are ones that stations can elect to pay for and broadcast. "When those [federal] dollars go away it means we're cutting into those core offerings we have in some way," WFAE president and CEO Ju-Don Marshall tells Axios. "We're certainly concerned." Context: Station heads say a cut in federal funding would prompt them to turn to their communities to help make up for the shortfall. Fund drives are the top sources of dollars for the station, says WUNC president and general Paul Hunton. Given uncertainties in the broader economy, it's not a guarantee that they'd be able to make up the entire shortfall, however. "Everybody's a bit tentative now in how they spend their dollars," Hunton added. Zoom out: WFAE's signal reaches 32 counties across the Carolinas, and WUNC can be heard from the Triad to the Outer Banks. Many of the communities they serve are considered news deserts, meaning they lack reliable local news and information from sources like a newspapers. In many rural areas, public radio is the only source of reliable information. Case in point: During Hurricane Helene when communities in western North Carolina lost power and Internet, many relied on just public radio for updates like when the water was coming back on, Hunton says. "It truly was a lifeline for many people in North Carolina," he tells Axios.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: Good for NPR for fighting back against Trump's funding cuts
To the editor: I'm thrilled National Public Radio has legally challenged the Trump administration's misguided executive order targeting its appropriately sourced federal funds and relationships with local stations ('NPR and public radio stations sue Trump White House over funding cuts,' May 27). I've grown accustomed to the measured objectivity and factual analysis of the reporting through daily programs like "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition." We financially support NPR's frequent funding drives not only because its revenues significantly rely on voluntary contributions from listeners, but also due to its prize-winning journalism that opens our eyes to hard-hitting domestic and international news analysis. The president's bizarre claims that NPR fails to provide "fair, accurate or unbiased" programming can be summarily rejected by those who actually listen to the variety of viewpoints included. NPR routinely covers important events like it did with the president's speech to a joint session of Congress in March and even rare audio of Supreme Court oral arguments about the birthright citizenship case, followed by riveting independent coverage. Cutting this funding is more than just a violation of free speech. America should refrain from emulating autocratic leaders in other societies that deliberately silence views they do not like. Anthony Arnaud, Laguna Niguel This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Good for NPR for fighting back against Trump's funding cuts
To the editor: I'm thrilled National Public Radio has legally challenged the Trump administration's misguided executive order targeting its appropriately sourced federal funds and relationships with local stations ('NPR and public radio stations sue Trump White House over funding cuts,' May 27). I've grown accustomed to the measured objectivity and factual analysis of the reporting through daily programs like 'All Things Considered' and 'Morning Edition.' We financially support NPR's frequent funding drives not only because its revenues significantly rely on voluntary contributions from listeners, but also due to its prize-winning journalism that opens our eyes to hard-hitting domestic and international news analysis. The president's bizarre claims that NPR fails to provide 'fair, accurate or unbiased' programming can be summarily rejected by those who actually listen to the variety of viewpoints included. NPR routinely covers important events like it did with the president's speech to a joint session of Congress in March and even rare audio of Supreme Court oral arguments about the birthright citizenship case, followed by riveting independent coverage. Cutting this funding is more than just a violation of free speech. America should refrain from emulating autocratic leaders in other societies that deliberately silence views they do not like. Anthony Arnaud, Laguna Niguel
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Crann, MPR's longtime host of 'All Things Considered,' makes move to YourClassical MPR
Tom Crann said farewell to MPR News listeners on Friday, hosting his final episode of "All Things Considered" as he makes the move to YourClassical MPR. Crann has been a familiar voice for Minnesota Public Radio listeners since he arrived at the public station in 1995 – initially as part of of parent company American Public Media's nationally syndicated classical music service Classical 24. But he subsequently became known for his role on the news side, hosting current affairs show "All Things Considered" for the past 20 years, and also leading MPR News' election night coverage since 2012. He will now be heard on 99.5FM YourClassical MPR, taking over the 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. slot that was formerly hosted by Steve Staruch, who is moving to a part-time role, hosting the 6 a.m.–10 a.m. on Mondays, and then filling in as and when needed. Crann's first day at YourClassical MPR will be Monday, June 2. MPR News meanwhile is launching a national search for a new "All Things Considered" host, with various staff filling in until one is found. Working in public radio since 1987, Crann came to St. Paul in 1995 when he was among the first announcers hired for the launch of Classical 24, American Public Media's nationally syndicated music service. When he announced his pending move last month, Crann told MPR News: "That job was open, and it seemed to have my name on it. It's classical music for Minnesota in the afternoon, and I just thought it would be really nice thing to go back to."
