Overview

• President Trump signed an executive order on May 1 directing federal agencies and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to end funding for public broadcasters NPR and PBS.
• The Department of Education canceled the $105 million Ready to Learn grant, which supported PBS Kids programming and early learning initiatives, forcing stations to pause related programs.
• The CPB and public broadcasters argue that Congress, not the president, holds authority over their funding, and they are pursuing legal action to challenge the executive order.
• Local stations in states like Nevada and Arkansas are rallying community support and lobbying Congress, warning that the cuts jeopardize emergency alert systems and essential educational services in underserved areas.
• The White House justified the cuts by alleging liberal bias in public media, while public broadcasting leaders emphasize their bipartisan history and vital public service role.