Big Funding Cuts Hit Public Broadcasting in the North Country and Capital Region: What It Means for Local Stations
If you’re a fan of public television or radio in the Capital Region or the North Country, you might want to sit down for this. Congress recently voted to slash $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a move backed by President Donald Trump. This cut means a staggering $3 million in lost annual revenue for the public stations serving these communities—and the ripple effects are already being felt.
While public stations typically pull money from various sources like state grants, donations from viewers and listeners, and corporate sponsors, federal funds have been a crucial lifeline—especially for rural stations. And for those nestled in places like the Adirondacks? These cuts could hit harder than elsewhere.
Mountain Lake PBS: A 35% Revenue Hit in the Adirondacks
Take Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh, for example. This station will lose nearly $950,000 in CPB funding alone—that’s a massive 35% of its total annual revenue. Their broadcasts don’t just stay in New York either; their reach spreads into Vermont and even into parts of Ontario and Quebec.
Bill McColgan, Mountain Lake PBS’s CEO, spoke candidly about the challenge during a phone interview. “We have some challenges ahead,” he said. “We don’t plan to go dark, but we’re definitely going to look different.” The station runs with a tight crew of just 15 employees, so any budget squeeze could affect staffing, programming, and the educational initiatives they’ve built their reputation on.
WMHT Faces a Significant Blow — But Remains Silent
Moving down to North Greenbush, WMHT operates both TV and radio stations and is bracing for a hit of about 17% of its revenue due to these cuts. A deep dive into their financials by the Times Union shows they received roughly $1.5 million from CPB in 2024—around 15% of their total $106 million revenue. But, so far, WMHT management hasn’t commented publicly on how they plan to handle the fallout.
WAMC/Northeast Public Radio: Rallying Community Support in Albany
Meanwhile, over in Albany, WAMC/Northeast Public Radio expects to lose about $440,000, which is about 5% of their annual budget. They serve a huge area spanning parts of seven states, with a staff of 52 full and part-time employees.
Despite the funding loss, WAMC CEO Sarah Gilbert is optimistic. On the day the news broke, the station was actively fundraising, and Gilbert shared via email, “While this is a meaningful loss, we’ve already seen an incredible response from our community.” She noted that supporters, from members to underwriters and donors, are stepping up in a bipartisan show of support. Gilbert, who has been on-air all day, called the community’s reaction “truly heartwarming.”
North Country Public Radio: Facing a Tough Road Ahead
North Country Public Radio, based at St. Lawrence University in Canton, is staring at a loss of $650,000 in CPB funding—roughly 12 to 15% of their budget over the next two years. Mitch Teich, the station manager, shared just how critical this loss is for their region. “It’s a lot of money for the North Country,” he said, emphasizing how difficult it has been to plan with the uncertainty hanging over them.
The station, with 17 full-time employees and 33 transmitters, broadcasts to a vast area including the Adirondacks, Vermont, and parts of southern Ontario. Despite the challenges, Teich expressed hope and resilience: “The people that work here want to live in the North Country. But we live in a place where you have to be a problem-solver; it’s not going to be the end.”
Political Battles: The Funding Cuts Aren’t Without Controversy
The cuts aren’t just about dollars and cents—they’re wrapped in political tension. U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, who represents a largely rural district stretching from Schoharie County all the way to the Canadian border, has been a vocal supporter of reducing CPB funding.
“Promises made, promises kept,” Stefanik stated confidently. “This bill will now go to President Trump’s desk, fulfilling his mandate to rein in reckless spending and cut waste, fraud, and abuse.” She also accused North Country Public Radio and NPR of “continually publishing false and defamatory stories,” making the funding cut a statement as much as a budget decision.
On the flip side, U.S. Representative Paul Tonko, a Democrat from Amsterdam representing the more urban parts of the Capital Region, condemned the move. “Public, independent broadcasting is essential to any democracy,” Tonko said. “It provides critical access to information, educational programming, and emergency alerts. This bill doesn’t just target national NPR or PBS; these cuts threaten local stations, their communities, and the trusted hometown journalism and programming they deliver.”
Why These Cuts Matter: More Than Just Numbers
The CPB funding may not be the sole source of income for public media, but for many rural stations, it’s a backbone. Losing millions means potential job cuts, fewer community programs, and less educational content. These stations don’t just entertain—they educate, inform, and keep communities connected.
In places like the Adirondacks and the North Country, where access to reliable news and educational resources can be limited, the stakes are high. Stations like Mountain Lake PBS and North Country Public Radio provide more than just broadcasts; they offer lifelines for remote communities.
The Human Element: Faces Behind the Mic and Camera
Think about the people behind these stations—the 15 employees at Mountain Lake PBS, the 52 at WAMC, the 17 at North Country Public Radio—all professionals who dedicate their careers to serving their communities. For them, these cuts aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet—they could mean lost jobs, reduced programming, and a diminished ability to support local culture and education.
As Mitch Teich put it, “It’s difficult for me that anyone would be happy for the potential for job losses.” Yet he remains hopeful, emphasizing the community’s need to adapt and keep going.
What’s Next?
For now, stations are stepping up their fundraising efforts, reaching out to their listeners and viewers more than ever. The outpouring of community support, as seen with WAMC’s immediate response, offers a glimmer of hope.
Still, the big question remains: How will these stations survive in the long term without federal help? Some, like Mountain Lake PBS, are preparing to adjust how they operate. Others, like WAMC, are leaning on their communities.
And political battles over public broadcasting funding are far from over. With advocates on both sides, the future of local public media hangs in the balance.
Quick Recap: What You Should Know
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$1.1 billion cut from Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding by Congress, supported by President Trump.
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Public stations in rural areas, especially in the Adirondacks and North Country, are hit hardest.
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Mountain Lake PBS loses 35% of revenue—nearly $950,000.
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WMHT faces a 17% revenue cut, but no public response yet.
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WAMC loses 5% of revenue but sees strong community support.
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North Country Public Radio faces a 12-15% funding loss, critical for its operations.
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Political split: Rep. Stefanik supports cuts; Rep. Tonko opposes them.
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Stations brace for potential staffing and programming changes but vow to keep going.
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