Overview

• President Trump signed an executive order on May 1 directing federal agencies and the CPB to halt funding for NPR and PBS, citing alleged partisan bias.
• The Department of Education formally canceled the Ready to Learn grant, which has funded PBS Kids programming for over 30 years, pausing operations at 44 stations.
• The CPB is contesting the order in court, arguing that its congressional authorization as an independent nonprofit shields it from executive control.
• Local public media stations, particularly in rural and underserved areas, are mobilizing fundraising efforts and lobbying Congress to maintain essential programming and emergency services.
• The White House has framed public broadcasting as promoting 'woke propaganda,' while critics warn the cuts jeopardize educational content and critical community resources.