A Message from Kermit Poling, General Manager
This week, Congress made the decision to withdraw funding that had previously been approved for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which was allocated and budgeted for the upcoming two years. This move, despite significant opposition to the cuts, removes $1.1 billion in funding that had already been sanctioned for public media. Through Protect My Public Media alone, over 3 million individuals voiced their concerns to their Congressmen, demonstrating an extraordinary level of support.
This rescission signifies an annual loss of nearly $190,000 for Red River Radio. Although this is undoubtedly a disappointing setback for our cherished station, particularly following our 40th anniversary celebration, it does not alter our dedication to our mission of delivering exceptional music, comprehensive news, and cultural and community information to all our listeners. Our production of programs such as Health Matters, Visions and Ventures, Birdcalls, Community Connections and nearly two dozen locally produced programs will continue.
Historically, CPB funding has been allocated for essential infrastructure needs, including the maintenance and upkeep of our broadcast transmitters, equipment, and internet streaming services for our global audience, in addition to programming. Given that the CPB also financed other expenses for public stations, such as negotiating and covering our music licensing fees, it is likely that we will encounter additional costs as we progress. There are ongoing efforts aimed at restoring such funding; however, at this moment, it remains a challenging path to navigate.
We are in the process of developing a strategy to address this significant financial shortfall. Our team is dedicated to enhancing support from foundations, corporate sponsors, special events, major contributors, and, importantly, individual listener members who cherish Red River Radio and support our mission. If you would like to help this cause and bridge the gap, please donate now at www.redriverradio.org. Every dollar supports local reporting, music, podcasts and more. You may also contact me directly at kpoling@lsus.edu or Ranae Moran at rmoran@lsus.edu or by calling us at 800-552-8502.
In the weeks ahead, you can expect to hear more from us as we gain further insights into how to maneuver through these unfamiliar circumstances. Nevertheless, regardless of the obstacles that lie ahead, we are steadfast in our commitment to our mission and purpose, and particularly to our listeners.
Thank you for your support.
Kermit