Bloomington’s community radio station — WFHB — stands to lose about 25 percent of its funding if the Trump administration’s plan to rescind $1.1 billion to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting passes in Congress.
House leaders are reportedly preparing to vote on Trump’s budget bill as soon as next week.
WFHB receives support from CPB’s Community Service Grant. The exact grant amount is determined by how much community support the station receives.
Jar Turner, WFHB’s general manager, said it received about $120,000 from the grant most recently.
Loss of the CPB grant would mean budget cuts, Turner said. WFHB’s board of directors formed a subcommittee to look at cuts that could include staffing.
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“Things like health insurance are up for discussion, being on the chopping block,” Turner said.
The nonprofit radio station has five full-time employees and thee part-time. It has about 175 volunteers who produce news and public affairs, entertainment, and local music programming.
It covers south-central Indiana — Bedford, Nashville, Bloomington and Ellettsville.
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Turner says WFHB’s other main sources of funding are underwriting, individual donations and local grants.
WFHB increased its fund drive goal this week to $50,000, in preparation for loss of the CPB grant.
“We normally are in the $35,000 to $40,000 range,” he said.
