News and opinion about public and nonprofit media in the U.S. https://current.org Sign up for our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bkLkbfhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mlu4z43fny2rHouse Speaker Kyle Hilbert said lawmakers could have another opportunity next year to extend the broadcaster before its final closure. (Via @oklahomavoice.com) https://current.org/2026/05/veto-override-to-save-oeta-fails-in-oklahoma-senate/15 May 2026 01:00 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlu4z43fny2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mltb7jdfn72yThe parties agreed to proceed with the $6.45 million purchase of WFLM in West Palm Beach. https://current.org/2026/05/miami-school-board-and-wlrn-management-group-settle-lawsuit/14 May 2026 16:43 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltb7jdfn72yhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mle2a4rctj2a“OETA appreciates the thoughtful consideration and bipartisan support shown throughout this process by members of the Oklahoma Legislature,” said OETA Executive Director Shawn Black. (Via @oklahomavoice.com) https://current.org/2026/05/oklahoma-governor-vetoes-oeta-continuation-objects-to-publicly-funded-broadcasting/08 May 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mle2a4rctj2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mlbzgkj2lh2a“We are thrilled about this next chapter for the Morning Report, and our audience should be too,” said Neal Scarbrough, VP and GM of “Marketplace.” https://current.org/2026/05/kimberly-adams-named-marketplace-morning-report-host/07 May 2026 20:08 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbzgkj2lh2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mlbldrdx3n2yEmployees said in a petition to management that they aim to bolster their role in decision-making about the organization and its future. https://current.org/2026/05/ocean-state-media-employees-plan-to-form-union/07 May 2026 15:56 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbldrdx3n2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mlbieczgbk2y“One thing led to another,” @wgbh.org CEO Susan Goldberg said, but “when federal defunding happened, it just sort of made it even more clear — like, ‘Come on, let’s do this thing.’” https://current.org/2026/05/why-a-merger-made-sense-now-for-gbh-and-new-england-public-media/07 May 2026 15:03 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbieczgbk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3ml7g4ygs7p2d“It would be a shame to undo a relationship that began in 1969, over 50 years of history and a strong relationship,” said @jpradio.bsky.social Executive Director Paul Westhelle. https://current.org/2026/05/consultant-suggests-jefferson-public-radio-spin-off-from-university-licensee/06 May 2026 19:18 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml7g4ygs7p2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mkssobaa3r2o“As you know, the loss of federal funding has changed the landscape for public media,” said @nepublicmedia.bsky.social President Matt Abramovitz. “To protect the local service you rely on, we have to be proactive and think boldly.” https://current.org/2026/05/gbh-new-england-public-media-to-merge-operations-this-summer/01 May 2026 18:57 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkssobaa3r2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mksjqnr7ie2aKaren LeBlanc, host of Louisiana Public Broadcasting's "LA64," believes Louisiana’s unique and varied history gives LA64 more "national appeal than probably any other state-focused travel show." https://current.org/2026/05/new-lpb-travel-show-aims-to-showcase-all-of-louisiana/01 May 2026 16:18 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksjqnr7ie2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mknns3y63c2o“This is an example of Maryland really leading the way,” said David Belew, director of development at Baltimore Public Media. https://current.org/2026/04/maryland-legislature-passes-advertising-set-aside-legislation-for-state-news-outlets/29 Apr 2026 17:47 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknns3y63c2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mkn6xzyna724“Since I’ve failed to get rid of government television, the next best thing is to totally reform it,” said Arkansas state Rep. Wayne Long, a Republican. (Via @arkansasadvocate.com) https://current.org/2026/04/arkansas-public-television-budget-bill-wins-final-approval-in-house/29 Apr 2026 13:22 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkn6xzyna724https://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mk6n4q3bou2oFormer Third Coast staffers and conference attendees say the organization’s challenges have left a gap in the community of audio makers and narrowed access to professional opportunities. https://current.org/2026/04/audio-festival-third-coast-faces-uncertain-future-after-years-of-strain/23 Apr 2026 18:25 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6n4q3bou2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mk6gh5kxu52aThe Minnesota public TV station “anticipates it will be unable to financially sustain its operations in the near future,” according to an asset acquisition agreement signed April 14. https://current.org/2026/04/twin-cities-pbs-takes-over-operations-of-ksmq/23 Apr 2026 16:25 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6gh5kxu52ahttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mk6cfrjdvk2l“We had a lot of donors walk away because what they were hoping to pay for with their donations was PBS,” said Little Rock Democratic Sen. Clarke Tucker. “What this does is it creates an incentive ... for those donors to come back.” (via @arkansasadvocate.com) https://current.org/2026/04/arkansas-would-match-up-to-550k-from-donors-to-public-television-under-proposal/23 Apr 2026 15:13 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6cfrjdvk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mk3r7y4p5g2pThe Alabama Educational Television Commission voted Tuesday to conduct a survey of public attitudes toward PBS programming, amid pushes from some commissioners to end APT’s affiliation with the network. (Via @alabamareflector.com) https://current.org/2026/04/alabama-public-television-governing-board-to-survey-state-on-pbs-attitudes/22 Apr 2026 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3r7y4p5g2phttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mk3nq6xr3a24“We are so thankful for this incredibly generous gift given by an anonymous donor,” Gay White, widow of former Gov. Frank White, said in a statement. (Via @arkansasadvocate.com) https://current.org/2026/04/arkansas-tv-receives-three-year-3m-pledge-to-keep-pbs-in-state/22 Apr 2026 13:58 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3nq6xr3a24https://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3miu3zlkobk2i“We’re growing again, and that’s really exciting,” said Brett Myers, EP of “Reveal.” https://current.org/2026/04/reveal-finds-new-footing-with-faster-timely-reporting/06 Apr 2026 20:27 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3miu3zlkobk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3milywmaeka2rIf the merger is approved, Radio Catskill will acquire “substantially all” of WIOX’s assets, including its FM license. https://current.org/2026/04/new-york-community-radio-stations-plan-merger/03 Apr 2026 15:10 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3milywmaeka2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mi2su3sn252oThe agreement is “not a formal merger agreement yet, but a process to determine how the two organizations can work together more effectively and efficiently while protecting and expanding local services,” the announcement said. https://current.org/2026/03/colorado-public-broadcasters-explore-merger/27 Mar 2026 19:06 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2su3sn252ohttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mhxwzedtku2o“While we have always called ourselves the home for documentary storytelling and documentary programming at PBS, this really puts a definitive stake in the ground,” said Maribel Lopez, head of PBS Digital Studios. https://current.org/2026/03/pbs-itvs-partner-on-youtube-channel-for-long-form-documentaries/26 Mar 2026 15:43 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhxwzedtku2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mhjf4szg7d2d“I thought it a brilliant metaphor for the very young who were being subjected to scary images of war every night on the news,” said Betty Aberlin, who portrayed Lady Aberlin on “Mister Rogers‘ Neighborhood.” https://current.org/2026/03/how-mister-rogers-tackled-cold-war-fears-and-why-it-still-resonates/20 Mar 2026 20:45 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhjf4szg7d2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mhghnzitlp2sA proposed PBS budget would prioritize co-productions and digital-first series that “deepen engagement and reach.” https://current.org/2026/03/pbs-proposes-fy27-budget-that-would-continue-dues-relief-for-stations/19 Mar 2026 16:53 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhghnzitlp2shttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mh6vw5k2rc2d“It speaks to the moment in the sense that awe is collaborative and causes people to see each other’s opinions a little bit more openly, which is obviously something we are very much in need of,” said Dorien Davies, a co-creator and co-EP of "Wowsabout." https://current.org/2026/03/wowsabout-pbs-special-seeks-to-inspire-awe-in-preschoolers/16 Mar 2026 16:47 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh6vw5k2rc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mgxkzzbcto2wFollowing yesterday's vote, the commission will use the next 180 days to “evaluate other resources that may be available” to support the retention of PBS programming. https://current.org/2026/03/arkansas-tv-commission-pauses-plan-to-drop-pbs-membership/13 Mar 2026 18:43 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgxkzzbcto2whttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mguxcemr522wThe campaign draws on real questions from NPR listeners to reflect inquiries from “everyday people … about what’s going on in their communities,” NPR CMO Mishka Pitter-Armand said. https://current.org/2026/03/npr-underscores-mission-with-national-advertising-campaign/12 Mar 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mguxcemr522whttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mgunzd777c2g“I have been in this job for 20 years — Friday will be my 20th anniversary,” said PBS CEO Paula Kerger. “I have never been in a circumstance where someone has made a decision this big and never even talked to us.” (Via @arkansasadvocate.com) https://current.org/2026/03/pbs-chief-calls-for-arkansas-public-tv-commission-to-take-a-pause-on-leaving-national-network/12 Mar 2026 14:59 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgunzd777c2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mgn7bux6rj26“It was very abrupt,” one former public media employee said. “You don’t get any closure. … You don’t have any way to say goodbye.” https://current.org/2026/03/how-four-public-media-workers-are-navigating-life-after-layoffs/09 Mar 2026 15:46 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgn7bux6rj26https://bsky.app/profile/current.org/post/3mgn4fdx3z22wGetting laid off appears to have soured at least half of our survey respondents on working in public media — 53% said they were very or somewhat unlikely to work in the system again. https://current.org/2026/03/what-our-survey-of-laid-off-pubmedia-workers-reveals-about-cuts-and-their-fallout/09 Mar 2026 14:55 +0000at://did:plc:abrbtnih7qbdrltaocdb2hhz/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgn4fdx3z22w