TPT Layoffs Signal Broader Impact of NPR and PBS Cuts in Minnesota

Impact of Federal Funding Cuts on Minnesota's Public Media

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is set to lose $1.1 billion in federal funding over the next two years, and this financial shift is already causing ripples across Minnesota’s public media landscape. Local stations that rely heavily on CPB grants are now facing difficult decisions, including potential layoffs and program cuts.

This change comes after a recent bill approved by Congress, which rescinds previously allocated funds to the CPB. The CPB supports major national networks such as National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), along with hundreds of local radio and TV stations across the United States. In Minnesota, this includes entities like Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and TPT, the Twin Cities PBS station.

TPT recently announced that some employees will be laid off due to these funding reductions. According to reports, TPT President and CEO Sylvia Strobel sent an email to staff stating that the decision to reduce staff was necessary due to the loss of federal funding. She noted that all affected employees were notified and would be leaving on July 23.

While the exact number of employees impacted remains unclear, TPT has not provided further details. The station did not respond to a request for comment, but Strobel emphasized the need to ensure resiliency in the face of economic uncertainty.

In fiscal year 2024, TPT received $4.3 million in federal funding from the CPB, which made up about 8.3% of its total annual revenue. This funding has been critical for maintaining operations and supporting programming.

A few months ago, TPT also furloughed staff working on Skillsville, an animated program that was previously known as Mashopolis. This came after a five-year, $4.6 million grant from the Department of Education was terminated.

According to Minnesota Public Radio, TPT is among 16 Minnesota stations that are losing more than $17 million in federal funding. MPR itself faces an annual budget gap of over $6 million.

Kimberly Adams, a Marketplace reporter, highlighted the potential devastation this could have on the public media system, particularly for rural stations and communities. She shared a recent video on MPR's social media accounts, urging donations to help sustain operations.

Several rural stations in northern Minnesota depend heavily on CPB funding. For example, KAXE/KBXE, an independent NPR affiliate, receives more than $228,000 annually from the CPB, which makes up 13% of its budget.

Other Minnesota stations that rely on CPB funding include:

• Greater Public (Minneapolis)
• Jazz88.FM (Minneapolis)
• KAXE-KBXE Northern Community Radio (Grand Rapids, Bemidji, and Brainerd)
• KBFT Tribal Community Radio (Bois Forte Reservation)
• KFAI (Minneapolis)
• KKWE Niijii Radio (White Earth Reservation)
• KMOJ (Minneapolis)
• KOJB The Eagle (Leech Lake Reservation)
• KSMQ Public TV (Austin)
• Lakeland PBS (Bemidji and Brainerd)
• MPR News, The Current, and Your Classical (statewide)
• PBS North (Duluth)
• Pioneer 90.1 Radio (Thief River Falls)
• Pioneer PBS (Granite Falls)
• TPT Twin Cities PBS (St. Paul)
• WTIP North Shore Community Radio (Grand Marais)

The New York Times predicts that most local radio and TV stations will feel the impact more acutely after September, when the CPB can no longer issue grants. In response, many of the affected Minnesota stations have already initiated donation drives to help them remain operational during this challenging period.