FARGO, N.D. – Prairie Public has eliminated 12 staff positions in response to the rescission of federal funding to public broadcasting, and the reduced allocation of funds from the State of North Dakota.
Seven employees were laid off, and five additional open positions were eliminated.
“The loss of federal and state funding has resulted in approximately a 25% reduction in our revenue,” said Prairie Public President & CEO John Harris. “Like most every public media organization in the country, we were forced to make hard choices – that included the difficult decision to part with valued members of our staff.”
The eliminated positions affect nearly every department of the organization, and represent about an 18% reduction in staff.
Some of Prairie Public’s programs or services may be reduced or eliminated as the station evaluates job functions and redistributes responsibilities among remaining staff.
“Amid the hardship, we remain committed to serving our communities as best as we can,” Harris said. “We have members in every county in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, and also in eastern Montana and Manitoba, Canada. Our communities’ passion for Prairie Public has been encouraging this year – and their continued support will be critical for us to move forward.”
Prairie Public will continue to provide educational programming, deliver national content from PBS and NPR, and will maintain its transmitters across the region to broadcast over-the-air in North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, eastern Montana, and in Canada via cable channels.
About Prairie Public
Prairie Public, a nonprofit public media organization and member station of PBS and NPR, provides content and services utilizing television, radio, and digital platforms. Prairie Public is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, and serves the state of North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, and southern Manitoba. For more information, visit prairiepublic.org.