Public Radio Stations at Risk as Trump Targets Funding – But They Remain Lifelines During Disasters

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After Hurricane Helene battered Asheville, North Carolina, last fall, one sound cut through the chaos as residents gathered on a hilltop searching for cell service: broadcasts from Blue Ridge Public Radio. Even while waiting in lines for food and water, many residents turned to the station for life-saving updates.

“The public radio station was alerting people what was going on,” recalled Lisa Savage, a volunteer who helped in the aftermath at a local church. Days later, she heard critical updates while driving through other impacted communities, including where to find clean water. “So that was crucial,” she added.

Now, local stations like Blue Ridge Public Radio are facing uncertainty. President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to slash federal support for NPR and PBS, accusing the organizations of bias. The order directs federal agencies to eliminate public funding and cut off indirect financial support.

Local Radio: Vital for Emergency Communication

In remote or underserved parts of the U.S., public radio often remains the only reliable source for local news and emergency information. These stations play a critical role during disasters when power and internet go down.

In Marfa, Texas, a small desert town, Marfa Public Radio reaches listeners across vast rural stretches. “We’re the only radio service in many of the areas we cover,” said interim executive director Tom Livingston. “It’s essential when emergencies or safety issues arise.”

In eastern Kentucky, WMMT serves five Appalachian states. Its general manager Teddy Wimer said the station gives voice to the local culture: “Our audience wants to hear people who sound like them. But we rely heavily on CPB funding.”

Funding Cuts Could Hit Rural Stations Hard

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funnels about $500 million in public funding annually, says it isn’t subject to executive control. But Trump’s move, paired with a request to Congress for a $9.1 billion funding rollback, has set the stage for a legal battle.

Local public radio often survives on a delicate mix of federal dollars, local donations, and grants. Smaller outlets like WMMT and Marfa Public Radio are especially vulnerable, with CPB contributions making up as much as 30%–68% of their budgets.

More Than Music — A Community Lifeline

In Monterey, Virginia, along the West Virginia border, Allegheny Mountain Radio serves communities where even cell coverage is sparse. General manager Scott Smith recalls how, in 2012, after a derecho storm left over 680,000 without power, the station became a critical source for survival updates.

“We joke around, we play music,” Smith said. “But we’re also part of the emergency alert system. We provide essential services to our communities.” His 10-person staff operates with 68% of their budget funded by CPB.

“If we lose 60% of our income, that’s not something we can easily replace,” he said. For now, he’s in wait-and-see mode, hoping Congress doesn’t act on the proposed cuts. “The answer to how we move forward is vague,” he added. “But we’ll be here as long as we can be.”