#ProtectMyPublicMedia

Protect My Public Media Day – March 6

Public media funding has been cut at the federal level, which will significantly impact our programming, including news, music and culture, educational programs and the emergency alert system.

The White House and Congress have eliminated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation that supports 1,300 local public media stations across the country, like Minnesota Public Radio, as well as NPR and PBS.

The elimination of federal funding will effectively dismantle the public media system as we know it.

Take a stand for this trusted public service you rely on today.

  • The public media system is advocating for a full restoration of federal funding. In the absence of fully restored federal funding, the public media system is advocating for $100 million in new funding for a Rural Radio Resiliency Fund and $48 million in continued funding for the Next Generation Warning System grant program.
  • October 1, 2025 marked the first day in over 50 years that public media will no longer receive annual federal funding. Public media stations across the country are standing strong, but face difficult decisions since Congress voted to eliminate this funding, with drastic impacts from programming changes to staff reductions and closures.
  • The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has been winding down their operations, with only a skeleton crew remaining to close things down after October 1, 2025.
  • On July 31, 2025 the Senate passed their version of the Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education appropriations bill and did not restore funding for the CPB. Likewise, the House did not include it in their version of the bill.
  • On July 18, 2025 the House passed the amended version of H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, which claws back $1.1 billion in funding for the CPB. President Trump has since signed it into law.
  • The Senate passed H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, as amended, on July 17, 2025 and sent it back to the House for approval.
  • The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Rescission Act of 2025, on June 12, 2025. The Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing on the bill on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget testifying.
  • The White House sent a proposed rescission package to Congress on June 3, 2025. This $9.4 billion package included a $1.1 billion cut in funding for the CPB, taking back money previously appropriated by Congress. Congress had 45 days to consider the proposal and only required a majority vote to pass. If not passed in that timeframe, by July 18, 2025 the proposal would die.
  • President Trump issued an Executive Order called “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media” on May 1, 2025, which prohibits any public media station that receives CPB or other federal funds from using those dollars for NPR and PBS. The CPB has issued a statement asserting it is not a federal government agency subject to the President's authority. NPR and three public media stations in Colorado have filed a lawsuit against the Administration claiming this order violates the Constitution and First Amendment rights. PBS also filed a lawsuit.
  • The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed an amicus brief in support of NPR’s lawsuit against the Administration, with MPR signing on along with 28 other stations. Attorneys General from 23 states filed an amicus brief in support of NPR and their member stations, as did the ACLU.
  • In April of 2025, President Trump attempted to fire three members of the CPB Board. The CPB immediately filed a lawsuit against the Administration noting that CPB is an independent organization, not a government entity, and its board members are not government officers. Although the judge in this case did not grant an emergency injunction, the court recognized the independence of the CPB as it was established to be a private non-profit corporation independent from governmental control or influence. The three Board members were retained.
  • President Trump released his FY26 Budget Proposal on May 2, 2025, which proposed the elimination of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It is important to note that while this budget proposal provides a guide to Congress regarding the President's priorities, it is not binding. It is up to Congress to determine funding levels for the CPB.
  • The Minnesota State Legislature adjourned after a one-day special session, during which they completed their budget for the next biennium. The money MPR receives through the Minnesota Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund was cut in half to $1 million per year for FY26-27. MPR's General Fund allocation to help maintain the emergency alert system stayed constant at just over $1 million per year for FY26-27.

How to Help

There are many ways to show your support for MPR.

1. Contact your members of Congress

Although existing funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has been rescinded, Congress has begun work on the FY27 appropriations cycle. Contact your members of Congress to urge them to restore funding for the CPB going forward.

2. Share what public media means to you

Speak out: Your voice is important! As a listener and supporter, what does Minnesota Public Radio mean to you? Share your brief story, and we may share your words on our website, email, social media and on air.

Share your story

3. Tune in, log on and engage

Show your support for public media by tuning in to MPR News, The Current, YourClassical MPR every day on the radio, podcast, web, apps, and social media.

4. Make a donation

Donations to MPR support trusted journalism, music discovery, and community conversation for all – no matter where you live or how you listen. From the broadcast to the podcast, on-air and online, gifts from individuals power everything you find at MPR. Make a donation today.

Donate

2. Sign our petition

Take action: Let Congress know you support federal funding for the CPB. We will deliver the petition to the White House and members of Congress.

Sign Petition

3. Share what public media means to you

Speak out: Your voice is important! As a listener and supporter, what does Minnesota Public Radio mean to you? Share your brief story, and we may share your words on our website, email, social media and on air.

Share your story

4. Tune in, log on and engage

Show your support for public media by tuning in to MPR News, The Current, YourClassical MPR every day on the radio, podcast, web, apps, and social media.

5. Make a Donation

Donations to MPR support trusted journalism, music discovery, and community conversation for all – no matter where you live or how you listen. From the broadcast to the podcast, on-air and online, gifts from individuals power everything you find at MPR. Make a donation today.

Donate

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Show Your Support

Show your support for public media by purchasing this "Power to the Public. Media for the People." T-shirt. We hope you wear it loud and proud!
 

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Why is Minnesota Public Radio and the public media ecosystem important?  

  • As the second largest local public media station in the nation, MPR delivers programming and services of unparalleled value across the region.

  • Public media is the country’s only no-cost, commercial-free, local, nonprofit news and information service, resulting from a highly efficient public-private partnership.

  • Public media strengthens our society by delivering balanced, fact-based insights and diverse perspectives that foster meaningful dialogue and build community connections while serving as the backbone of emergency alert systems that keep Americans informed and safe during emergencies.

Contact Us 

Inquiries for Minnesota Public Radio should be directed to our Member & Audience Services department by using our our contact form or by phone at 651-290-1212 | 1-800-228-7123. (Phones open 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday, open 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT Fridays).