October 03, 2025
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Public broadcasters cut after federal funding pulled

Congressional Republicans pulled roughly $1.1 billion in federal public‑media funding effective Oct. 1, 2025, forcing local PBS and NPR stations to trim operations. South Dakota Public Broadcasting — which says it faces a $2.3 million shortfall — is canceling shows, reducing local‑news capacity and leaning more on youth‑sports broadcasts; station leaders and anchors warn the loss will curtail educational services and local reporting across affected communities.

Politics Media Education

🔍 Key Facts

  • Congressional Republicans rescinded $1.1 billion in federal public‑media funding effective Oct. 1, 2025.
  • South Dakota Public Broadcasting reports a $2.3 million budget gap and plans program cuts (including canceling the show In the Moment).
  • Stations are shifting resources toward airing local high‑school sports while cutting local‑news staffing and educational offerings.

📍 Contextual Background

  • The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown on 2025-10-01 after the midnight funding deadline passed with Democrats and Republicans failing to agree on a funding bill.

📰 Sources (1)