Alabama public radio station facing $155,000 cut: ‘Smaller stations could go dark…permanently’
The Huntsville public radio station, WLRH, will face “a challenge” after a federal cut to previously authorized support for public broadcasting.
Congress approved a rescission bill on Friday, which will cut $1.1 billion in funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes the majority of the money to locally operated National Public Radio (NPR) stations and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television channels.
In a LinkedIn post on Saturday, the official WLRH 89.3 FM/HD account posted, ” While this presents a challenge to WLRH and hundreds of stations nationwide, smaller and more rural stations could go dark…permanently.”
WLRH General Manager Erick Bruckner said they will lose $155,000 of their annual budget, or 13% of operating costs.
“We’re evaluating our options going forward, but have not made any decisions at this point,” Brukner said. Alabama’s PBS affiliate, Alabama Public Television, will lose 13% of its total annual budget, which is over $2.8 million.
WLRH was launched in 1976 by the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. In a statement, radio station leaders say, “From the beginning, the station has existed to reflect the voices, values, and culture of the community it serves.”
It boasts programs like Microwave Dave’s Talkin’ The Blues, Bob Labbe’s Reelin’ In The Years and Invisible City with Brad Posey that have been on the airwaves for decades, from 20 to 40 years.
Its coverage area is north of Fayetteville, to Scottsboro, west of Decatur and south of Cullman.
They are bracing for possible “difficult decisions in the months ahead,” because of the rescission’s economic impact.
WLRH just welcomed new general manager, Erich Brukner, to the team in April. He’s worked in radio for about 30 years.
All republican lawmakers representing Alabama in Congress voted in favor of the rescission bill. The two Democrats, Reps. Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell voted against it.
The bill is set to go to President Trump, who can sign it into law.
WLRH leaders say that won’t slow down their programming.
“Public radio was built on community. WLRH’s strength comes from its deep connection to the people of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley, and that relationship will remain at the heart of everything we do. With the continued support of our listeners, we will navigate these challenges together—and continue to be a vital part of life in North Alabama.”
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