Jul 17, 2025 - Politics

WLRN braces for more cuts as Congress moves to defund public media

Martin Vassolo

The headquarters for National Public Radio (NPR) in Washington, DC, March 26, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) — NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

A bill proposing to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would cut WLRN's annual operating budget by about 8% across radio and TV, a station executive tells Axios.

Why it matters: South Florida's award-winning NPR member station and PBS affiliate received about $1.4 million in grants from the CPB last year, according to an audited financial statement.

The station says it was also recently stripped of $460,000 in state funding following a budget veto from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Catch up quick: The White House wants Congress to strip $1.1 billion already earmarked for the CPB, which funds NPR and PBS, threatening to end nearly 60 years of government-supported public media.

The latest: The Senate passed the rescission package overnight on Thursday with a 51-48 vote.

If the House passes it, President Trump would face a Friday deadline to sign the bill, per Politico.

What they're saying: John LaBonia, CEO of South Florida Public Media Group, which manages WLRN, tells Axios the proposed cuts are "disappointing and challenging" but don't change the station's mission.

"These cuts will not deter us from fulfilling our mission. WLRN remains committed to serving the people of South Florida, with trusted journalism, educational programming, emergency communications and vital public service content."
"Our plan is to absorb these cuts responsibly while maintaining the high standards our community expects and deserves."

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WLRN braces for more cuts as Congress moves to defund public media

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