Kentucky public media braces for change after Corporation for Public Broadcasting shuts down

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Public Media and Kentucky Educational Television lost thousands of dollars of funding when the Corporation for Public Broadcasting shut down Monday, Jan. 5.

The nonprofit responsible for funding public-access television and many radio stations across the country voted to dissolve.

"CPB closing down is the result of a fight we did not win on Capitol Hill," said Kenya Young, president and CEO of Louisville Public Media. "It's a shame."

The shakeup impacts media giants such as NPR and PBS but it also hits Kentucky nonprofits. Louisville Public Media has three radio stations

WFPL runs news and information
WFPK shares emerging artists
WUOL plays classical music

However, without funding from CPB, they'll need new sources of money to stay on the air. Young said this includes grants and community donations.

"It really is a devastating loss in so many ways," Young said. "Fortunately, we are not in a position where it's had to affect programming or operation."

Congress created the nonprofit 58 years ago to ensure easier access to information and education. Today, $400,000 of LPM's operating budget came from CPB.

When Congress started defunding its operations in August 2025, CPB announced it was winding down. That heads up gave LPM time to prepare.

"In the first year, I don't foresee any layoffs," Young said. "We'll just have to see what happens and what it means for the bottom line."

She said LPM has no intention of closing its doors any time soon. KET is in the same boat. CEO and Executive Director Shae Hopkins sent the following statement to WDRB:

"The closing of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting marks the unfortunate conclusion to an organization that has stewarded federal funding to public media stations throughout the country for decades.

However, KET isn’t going anywhere. We remain as committed as ever to providing educational programs and services and are grateful for the tremendous support we are receiving from Kentuckians across the Commonwealth."

Young believes rural and low-income areas will suffer the most from CPB dissolving.

"There are some stations across rural areas that will not survive," she said. "There have already been closures. There have certainly been cuts. The PBS side is feeling it really heavily."

While CPB is defunded, Young said LPM is not defeated.

"Public media matters in Louisville," she said. "It's not that we won't operate in this moment. It is a question of how we will."

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