‘This is money we were counting on’: The impact of federal funding cuts on local public media

In a classroom at an Easton elementary school, students laugh and learn through PBS39’s Crazy 8s program, an eight-week series designed to engage children in math education. For the first time, the program is not fully funded by the station itself but supported by community partners.

The shift comes after federal cuts to public broadcasting left local stations scrambling to fill gaps in their budgets.

President Donald Trump signed the Rescissions Act of 2025 into law on July 24, rescinding funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which provides support to public television and radio stations nationwide.

The cuts, which come in the form of rescissions rather than planned reductions, mean PBS39 lost roughly 20% of its operating budget — about $1.1 million — while WDIY, the community radio station in Bethlehem, faces a shortfall of 15%, or just over $100,000.

“The reality is, this is money we were counting on,” said Hassana Birdsong, PBS39’s newly appointed president and CEO. “We still have obligations to pay for our PBS and NPR memberships and offer community services, but that funding is no longer there.”

For PBS39, the cuts are already reshaping how services are delivered. Programs previously offered at no cost to schools now require collaboration with external funders.

“We’re looking to work more collaboratively and strategically with partners to expand our impact,” Birdsong said. “Instead of us having to pay facilitators to go out and support those eight-week programs for the students, their community partner is funding us to provide that service.”

Margaret McConnell, executive director of WDIY, said her station’s public programming will continue, but the loss of CPB funding is forcing operational adjustments.

“We’re making plans for that loss, looking at every possible area to cut costs, but with a staff of five, there’s very little wiggle room,” McConnell said.

One of WDIY’s biggest challenges involves music licensing.

“CPB currently holds the agreements with the six major music houses. After January 2026, we’ll need to figure out who takes on those agreements, or we may have to negotiate on our own, which is a huge challenge for a small station,” McConnell said.

Birdsong and McConnell emphasized the importance of public media in the Lehigh Valley. Beyond entertainment, local stations provide news, cultural programming and educational services.

“Media is important to the community,” Birdsong said. “If each of our 11,000 PBS members reached out to friends and family to encourage support, we could close the gaps we’re facing. We need to work together.”

McConnell also highlighted the need for both financial support and advocacy.

“We really need the corporations in our community to step up, to realize that the station is a community asset that is here, improving our quality of life and promoting our arts and culture institutions,” she said.

Despite the federal cuts, the stations are adjusting operations to continue providing services. PBS39’s Crazy 8s program is expanding to two additional schools in Easton, funded by community partners, while WDIY continues to evaluate options to maintain programming and staff.

PBS39’s Together campaign is accepting donations, and WDIY encourages contributions and engagement through its website and outreach channels.