Public Broadcasting Faces Uncertain Future After Funding Cut

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is winding down its operations after losing federal funding, a move that could have big ripples. This group, which has been around for nearly 60 years, helps support public media, including PBS and NPR. Most of the CPB's staff will be let go by the end of September, with only a small team staying on until January 2026 to help with the transition. The CPB has about 100 employees. The decision comes after Congress decided not to renew $1. 1 billion in funding for the next two years. This move was pushed by President Donald Trump, who has criticized PBS and NPR for being biased. The CPB has always said that most of its money goes to local stations, not the big national ones. And many people trust public media a lot. But now, without this funding, many stations, especially in rural areas, might have to close. This isn't the first time the CPB has faced funding cuts. During Trump's first term, his administration tried to cut funding, but Congress stopped it. This time, though, the cuts went through as part of a larger package. Some members of the CPB board have already stepped down, and others tried to fight the funding cuts in court. But with the CPB shutting down, those efforts seem to have ended.