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News and opinion about public and nonprofit media in the U.S. https://current.org
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Spotted as we clean out the Marketplace offices before we move. Tells you how long we’ve been here.
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Spotted as we clean out the Marketplace offices before we move. Tells you how long we’ve been here.
It's the last day to respond — have you been laid off from a public media job since the rescission? Take our confidential survey:
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November 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
It's the last day to respond — have you been laid off from a public media job since the rescission? Take our confidential survey:
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"Martin Perlich was a world-class interviewer whose passion for music and conversation illuminated the lives of countless listeners and artists." current.org/2025/11/radi...
Radio host and interviewer Martin Perlich dies at 88
Perlich was best known for his nationally syndicated series "Martin Perlich Interviews," in which he spoke with legendary figures including Leonard Bernstein, Frank Zappa and Aaron Copland.
current.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
"Martin Perlich was a world-class interviewer whose passion for music and conversation illuminated the lives of countless listeners and artists." current.org/2025/11/radi...
"It’s also clear, unfortunately, that without a mandate from CPB, the industry runs the risk of becoming more opaque to its detriment." current.org/2025/11/opin...
Opinion: Data is helping to save public media. We can’t let it slip
"The next 12 to 24 months will define public media’s long-term future. We need to resist the temptation to turn inward and keep our struggles and successes secret."
current.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"It’s also clear, unfortunately, that without a mandate from CPB, the industry runs the risk of becoming more opaque to its detriment." current.org/2025/11/opin...
The cuts mark the fourth round of layoffs at GBH this year. current.org/2025/11/gbh-...
GBH plans to cut 15 positions by January
The station plans to eliminate jobs in its finance, marketing, technology and children’s programming departments.
current.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The cuts mark the fourth round of layoffs at GBH this year. current.org/2025/11/gbh-...
”While our community has stepped up in meaningful ways since the rescission, that generosity has not been enough to fully close the gap,” a PBS SoCal spokesperson said. current.org/2025/11/pbs-...
PBS SoCal cuts 10% of workforce
The Los Angeles station is absorbing the loss of $4.3 million in federal funding.
current.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
”While our community has stepped up in meaningful ways since the rescission, that generosity has not been enough to fully close the gap,” a PBS SoCal spokesperson said. current.org/2025/11/pbs-...
Help sustain the journalism that keeps public media connected and informed. 💜 Donate today: giving.american.edu/page/58249/d...
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November 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Help sustain the journalism that keeps public media connected and informed. 💜 Donate today: giving.american.edu/page/58249/d...
#NewsMatch #PublicMedia @inn.org
#NewsMatch #PublicMedia @inn.org
It's the last week to respond to our confidential survey about layoffs in pubic media. Laid off since the rescission? Add your experience: american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It's the last week to respond to our confidential survey about layoffs in pubic media. Laid off since the rescission? Add your experience: american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Update: “CPB has not succumbed to pressure from the White House as our actions over the past months demonstrate,” CEO Pat Harrison said in a statement Friday. current.org/2025/10/judg...
Judge directs CPB to set aside $36M in interconnection funding until trial ends
District Judge Randolph D. Moss directed the corporation not to “encumber” the funds or execute a contract that would “speak to how those funds might be used.”
current.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Update: “CPB has not succumbed to pressure from the White House as our actions over the past months demonstrate,” CEO Pat Harrison said in a statement Friday. current.org/2025/10/judg...
“This is a remarkable demonstration of what South Dakota can do when we pull together,” SDPB Executive Director Julie Overgaard said. (Via @southdakotasearchlight.com) current.org/2025/10/gran...
Grants and fundraising soften SDPB layoffs, but several local programs remain impacted
The softened layoffs, down to seven from 15 announced earlier, were made possible by a mixture of restructuring, donations and grants.
current.org
October 31, 2025 at 12:52 PM
“This is a remarkable demonstration of what South Dakota can do when we pull together,” SDPB Executive Director Julie Overgaard said. (Via @southdakotasearchlight.com) current.org/2025/10/gran...
During a court hearing Tuesday, an attorney for NPR suggested that CPB sought a new approach to interconnection funding after an April 3 meetng with an OMB director. current.org/2025/10/npr-...
NPR, CPB spar in court over interconnection funding
NPR’s attorney presented evidence to make a case that CPB’s decision to change course on interconnection funding violated the First Amendment.
current.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
During a court hearing Tuesday, an attorney for NPR suggested that CPB sought a new approach to interconnection funding after an April 3 meetng with an OMB director. current.org/2025/10/npr-...
“I have not stopped hearing people talk about the loss that it is,” said a former GM of Cleveland's WCSB, which switched this month from student- and volunteer-hosted shows to jazz programmed by public broadcaster Ideastream. current.org/2025/10/idea...
Ideastream agreement to program Cleveland State’s WCSB spurs pushback from students, community members
Ideastream and CSU leaders call the partnership a “win-win,” but fans of WCSB’s previous format are lamenting the switch to jazz programming.
current.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“I have not stopped hearing people talk about the loss that it is,” said a former GM of Cleveland's WCSB, which switched this month from student- and volunteer-hosted shows to jazz programmed by public broadcaster Ideastream. current.org/2025/10/idea...
“This collaboration strengthens trusted local journalism and builds regional capacity to cover the stories that matter most to people across the Upper Midwest,” said Kathy Merritt, COO of CPB. current.org/2025/10/cpb-...
CPB grants $1.1M to form Upper Midwest Newsroom
Minnesota Public Radio will lead the collaboration.
current.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
“This collaboration strengthens trusted local journalism and builds regional capacity to cover the stories that matter most to people across the Upper Midwest,” said Kathy Merritt, COO of CPB. current.org/2025/10/cpb-...
"State and local public funding initiatives are a great start, but the ultimate goal should be nationwide with lost funds not only restored but substantially increased." current.org/2025/10/opin...
Opinion: Why public funding still matters for journalism in a democracy
"The philanthropic nonprofit model is simply not up to the job of playing the unifying civic role that is the ultimate purpose of any public media worthy of the name."
current.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:37 PM
"State and local public funding initiatives are a great start, but the ultimate goal should be nationwide with lost funds not only restored but substantially increased." current.org/2025/10/opin...
”PBS has made themselves the enemy of what I stand with, and so I do not like them, and I don’t follow the philosophy of feeding the beast,” said Alabama Educational Television Commission board member Les Barnett. (Via @alabamareflector.com) current.org/2025/10/alab...
Alabama Public Television may drop PBS programming
APT Executive Director Wayne Reid told the Alabama Education Television Commission that the network is studying ways to separate from PBS.
current.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:27 PM
”PBS has made themselves the enemy of what I stand with, and so I do not like them, and I don’t follow the philosophy of feeding the beast,” said Alabama Educational Television Commission board member Les Barnett. (Via @alabamareflector.com) current.org/2025/10/alab...
Laid off from public media since the rescission? Our confidential survey is still open. Please share.
american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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american.co1.qualtrics.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Laid off from public media since the rescission? Our confidential survey is still open. Please share.
american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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Lakshmanan called the co-hosting job “the opportunity of a lifetime.” current.org/2025/10/indi...
Indira Lakshmanan named ‘Here & Now’ co-host
Lakshmanan joins co-hosts Scott Tong and Robin Young next month.
current.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Lakshmanan called the co-hosting job “the opportunity of a lifetime.” current.org/2025/10/indi...
The one-time, general operating support grant will help NFCB plan for long-term sustainability in a “post-CPB environment,” NFCB said. current.org/2025/10/nati...
National Federation of Community Broadcasters lands $1.25M MacArthur grant
The grant “is both an affirmation of the essential role community radio plays in civic life and an investment in the infrastructure that sustains it,” said NFCB CEO Rima Dael.
current.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The one-time, general operating support grant will help NFCB plan for long-term sustainability in a “post-CPB environment,” NFCB said. current.org/2025/10/nati...
Have you been laid off from a public media job since the rescission? We’re gathering confidential responses to inform our reporting. Take the survey: american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
October 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Have you been laid off from a public media job since the rescission? We’re gathering confidential responses to inform our reporting. Take the survey: american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
“The rallying point, the common connector, between those four stations should be events,” said Paragon CEO Mike Henry. current.org/2025/10/tri-...
Tri-state music collaboration presses ahead despite CPB rescission
The stations’ leaders see opportunities in coming together for events and in informing their audiences about upcoming activities.
current.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
“The rallying point, the common connector, between those four stations should be events,” said Paragon CEO Mike Henry. current.org/2025/10/tri-...
“While this moment is challenging, we believe these changes are necessary to ensure KCRW is positioned for the long-term,” wrote CEO Jennifer Ferro. current.org/2025/10/kcrw...
KCRW restructures with 10% staff reduction
CEO Jennifer Ferro said the station is restructuring to best “position us against the twin challenges of needing to adapt to how people consume media today as well as the loss of federal dollars.”
current.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
“While this moment is challenging, we believe these changes are necessary to ensure KCRW is positioned for the long-term,” wrote CEO Jennifer Ferro. current.org/2025/10/kcrw...
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ICYMI I got reflect on a 2023 downturn in listenership at KQED, and how we turned around our fortunes. I'm writing about it in hopes it helps other stations steal ideas to boost themselves. current.org/2025/10/playboo...
Playbook for growth: Treat radio like a vibrant platform and your audience will flourish
How a cross-disciplinary focus on airtime and audience needs propelled KQED Radio’s ratings surge.
current.org
October 21, 2025 at 12:01 PM
ICYMI I got reflect on a 2023 downturn in listenership at KQED, and how we turned around our fortunes. I'm writing about it in hopes it helps other stations steal ideas to boost themselves. current.org/2025/10/playboo...
“Although funding was not included in the FY 2026 budget, we are hopeful that funding will return in future years,” said Patrick Lakenen, GM of WNMU Public Media in Marquette, Mich. current.org/2025/10/stat...
State legislature cuts funding for Michigan Learning Channel
The initiative formally launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and had continued to receive funding from the state.
current.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:51 PM
“Although funding was not included in the FY 2026 budget, we are hopeful that funding will return in future years,” said Patrick Lakenen, GM of WNMU Public Media in Marquette, Mich. current.org/2025/10/stat...
Reposted by Current
Public media donation data sorted by donor generations. Some really interesting data points in here current.org/2025/10/new-... via @current.org
current.org
October 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Public media donation data sorted by donor generations. Some really interesting data points in here current.org/2025/10/new-... via @current.org
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New Mexico is stepping up for its communities' access to trusted local news and information: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham approved $5.6M in emergency funding for the state’s 12 public media organizations, plus $430K for Indigenous stations.
Read more: current.org/2025/10/new-...
Read more: current.org/2025/10/new-...
New Mexico governor approves emergency funds for public media
The state will provide $6 million in additional funding to New Mexico stations to make up for the loss of federal funding.
current.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
New Mexico is stepping up for its communities' access to trusted local news and information: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham approved $5.6M in emergency funding for the state’s 12 public media organizations, plus $430K for Indigenous stations.
Read more: current.org/2025/10/new-...
Read more: current.org/2025/10/new-...