Current

BTPM unveils dual-format NPR-classical lineup alongside new commercial station The commercial station will present a primarily news-based format that features some nationally distributed shows but not NPR's newsmagazines.

Audiences “understand why we had to do this, but there was this thing bugging them a little bit about having commercials next to Mozart and Bach,” BTPM CEO Tom Calderone said. “We always respect our audience, so that’s why we made the switch.” current.org/2026/03/btpm...

Vision Maker series features shorts by young filmmakers “First People, First Stories” presents stories of contemporary Native American life as captured by early-career creative talents.

“Native people from different tribes all have their unique characteristics and stories that all need to be heard,” said filmmaker Josiah Jones, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. current.org/2026/03/visi...

Court dismisses CPB lawsuit against FEMA over NGWS funding Since FEMA began administering the program, stations have been cut off from funds for their public safety upgrades.

Democrats in Congress aim to guarantee that with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting shuttered, FEMA’s Next Generation Warning System program “can operate as intended and directly support local public broadcasters.” current.org/2026/02/cour...

WNYC and Gothamist refresh local news podcast with new format The show’s new format focuses on dissecting the stories that matter most to New York City residents.

“It’s allowing us to tell stories in so many different ways,” said WNYC/Gothamist Interim Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Clary. “Now there’s a way to put some more effort into stories that we have strong tape for, … that we have strong interviews for.” current.org/2026/02/wnyc...

Wyoming Public Media birthday party turns into funding rally The outlet’s supporters gathered Tuesday while state lawmakers debated crucial funding for the nonprofit yards away in the Wyoming Capitol.

“It’s a very treacherous journey to make sure that this funding stays in place,” said Wyoming Public Media supporter Richard Garrett. (Via @wyofile.com) current.org/2026/02/wyom...

PBS Kids official visits Arkansas as campaign aims to keep public television affiliation The newly formed Friends of Arkansas PBS is urging the Arkansas PBS Commission to reconsider its vote to disaffiliate from the network.

“I, as a financial supporter of PBS, am more than willing to increase my pledge," said former Arkansas first lady Gay White. “I know I’m not alone. Surely we can figure this out.” (Via @arkansasadvocate.com) current.org/2026/02/pbs-...

How YouTuber Johns Hopkins brings stories of Baltimore history to WYPR Editing his histories to broadcast length requires “a lot of discipline,” says Hopkins. “Every word has to be useful because we don’t have that much time.”

WYPR President Craig Swagler saw Johns Hopkins' short YouTube videos about Baltimore history and “realized that there was a narrative there that could really translate into a bigger audience.” current.org/2026/02/how-...

FCC approves reassignment of UEN-TV license within Utah university system PBS Utah plans to program the station with the 24/7 PBS Kids channel.

UEN and PBS Utah began discussing reassignment of the license following the rescission of federal funding for public media in July. current.org/2026/02/fcc-...

Wisconsin News Collaborative launches with environmental focus In response to the loss of federal funding, three public radio stations are partnering to better meet audience needs.

“These systems of sharing exist throughout public media, and we thought we should be doing this in service to Wisconsin,” said WPR Director Sarah Ashworth. current.org/2026/02/wisc...

Detroit PBS receives $2M for initiative focused on faith in community The station will produce programming representing the Detroit community’s diverse array of religions as part of the four-year initiative.

The “Faith in Detroit” initiative seeks to amplify stories of faith within the community through events, mixed-media art and video content over the next four years. current.org/2026/02/detr...

Opinion: It’s time for public radio to reclaim its educational identity In a post-CPB world, embracing our original purpose as a “school of the sky” is not nostalgia — it is strategy.

Indiana Public Media director Mike Arnold recently shared his thoughts about what the future of public media can be. Take a look! ➡️ current.org/2026/02/its-...

Buffalo Toronto Public Media applies to make classical station commercial The move is part of the station’s efforts to address its loss of CPB funding.

Listeners would notice “maybe a bit of a difference, but we’re going to make sure that it’s as seamless as possible,” said Buffalo Toronto Public Media CEO Tom Calderone. current.org/2026/02/buff...

Opinion: It’s time for public radio to reclaim its educational identity In a post-CPB world, embracing our original purpose as a “school of the sky” is not nostalgia — it is strategy.

"Journalism alone is not an institutional justification for sustaining a publicly supported media institution. ... Education needs to be a key component of both TV and radio’s future." current.org/2026/02/its-...

‘Phoebe & Jay’ teach literacy skills for everyday life The new PBS Kids series aims to address a literacy learning gap that develops before children enter school.

The goal of the new PBS Kids show “Phoebe & Jay” is for “children to see the world as full of possibilities,” said Adriano Schmid, VP of PBS Kids content. current.org/2026/02/phoe...

Comings and goings: Sarah McCammon to leave NPR, WVTF hires chief advancement officer … McCammon, a correspondent for NPR’s Washington Desk, said she’ll “have much more to say about my next steps very soon.”

As she leaves NPR, Sarah McCammon says she's making "a pivot that will include writing and thinking about issues that matter." current.org/2026/02/comi...

How AI-assisted workflows are unlocking California police records An AI-powered database offers a model for extracting and structuring police records for public accessibility and accountability reporting.

Using AI, colleagues sorted through thousands of police misconduct records to increase transparency and fairness in California. This work benefits both the community and police, creating a more open and accountable system. Our piece for Current: current.org/2026/01/how-ai-...

KCUR stays on air after quick move from longtime studios The University of Missouri-Kansas City announced in December hat the station’s building would close no later than Jan. 31 due to foundation problems.

The structural issues that closed @kcur.org's studios ”would have had potential effects on mechanical systems ... and could have rendered the building uninhabitable with minimum notice,” according to the University of Missouri-Kansas City. current.org/2026/02/kcur...

In farewell remarks, Pat Harrison looks beyond CPB’s end to public media’s future “You've got to muster up the courage to fight for what you believe in and to ensure that our democracy really prevails."

"We really are a nation of neighbors," Harrison said. "And for the future, I’m sure we’re going to be telling and shaping America’s story through a fully funded future for public media." current.org/2026/01/in-f...

Former CapRadio GM Jun Reina charged with embezzling $1.3M from station Reina was charged with felony counts of embezzlement, grand theft and forgery.

“These charges allege a serious breach of trust,” said Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho. current.org/2026/01/form...

The latest edition of OIGO's newsletter, focusing on public media and Latino audiences, is set to be released tomorrow. In the meantime, you can catch up with the first edition of the year for insightful information. oigo.us/p/kcur-lisa-rodriguez

Governor asks New Mexico lawmakers to fund tribal media Tribal media stations in New Mexico could receive about $430,000 as soon as this summer if the legislature embraces Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recommendation.

If another round of funding makes it into the state budget, the Indian Affairs Department will be tasked with doling it out. current.org/2026/01/gove...

Arkansas public television viewers, parents disillusioned with network’s plan to cut ties with PBS Many Arkansans told the network they will no longer donate, internal emails show.

“As an Arkansas educator, I am profoundly concerned that the shortsighted desire to eradicate PBS ... deprives children across the nation of the wonderful programming that explores history, culture, and diverse voices,” one viewer wrote. (Via @arkansasadvocate.com) current.org/2026/01/arka...

WBGU to end PBS affiliation due to federal funding cuts The Ohio station will be the fourth public media organization to sever ties with PBS.

Carrying PBS “has become financially unsustainable long term,” a BGSU spokesperson said. current.org/2026/01/wbgu...

House approves minibus package with NGWS, RTL funding but not broader support Two separate bills provide funding for the Next Generation Warning System and the Ready To Learn grant program.

"We are grateful that the bill provides some funding for the important public safety and education services that public media provides in communities throughout the country,” said Kate Riley, CEO of America's Public Television Stations. current.org/2026/01/hous...

Public TV stations lean into local film initiatives New partnerships bring authentic local stories from emerging talents to broadcast and streaming platforms.

“A big draw … for any public media station is to be able to showcase your community in ways that not even you could envision,” said Debbie Hamlett, VP and GM of Milwaukee PBS. current.org/2026/01/publ...

If you missed our webinar last week about the future of public media, you can now watch the recording. Thank you to our co-producers, NETA and Public Media Innovators! publicmedialearns.instructure.com/courses/237/...

Alabama Public Television waiting on more information to renew PBS contract The director of the Alabama Educational Television Commission said Tuesday he is still waiting for financial information from PBS.

APT Executive Director Wayne Reid said after the meeting Tuesday that financial information from PBS should come to the station soon. (Via @alabamareflector.com) current.org/2026/01/alab...

PBS Utah, KUER lay off 8 employees Six staffers were let go at PBS Utah, and two were cut at KUER, according to a statement from Executive Director Maria O’Mara.

“Utahns are very generous, and private donations to the stations have increased in the last six months,” the statement said. “But it was not enough to close the roughly $3 million gap in revenue across the stations.” current.org/2026/01/pbs-...

Lehigh Valley Public Media cuts nearly half of staff The Pennsylvania dual licensee has lost more than $1.8 million this fiscal year.

The organization is left with 24 employees after cutting workers across all departments, according to CEO Hasanna Birdsong. current.org/2026/01/lehi...

How AI-assisted workflows are unlocking California police records An AI-powered database offers a model for extracting and structuring police records for public accessibility and accountability reporting.

What AI can be good for: opening police records.

current.org/2026/01/how-...