Congress voted to eliminate all federal funding for public media beginning October 1, cutting $1.1 billion nationwide with little warning. South Dakota Public Broadcasting will lose $2.2 million a year—roughly 30 percent of its annual budget.
SDPB now faces immediate programming cuts, budget revisions, and a major public appeal to replace the lost revenue.
Julie Overgaard, SDPB’s executive director, called the decision “sudden and mid-year,” and warned of fast-approaching disruptions. “There will be changes to local programming in the days and months ahead. That’s inevitable,” she wrote in an urgent message to supporters. “What’s not inevitable is how deep those cuts will go.”
The loss comes as SDPB continues to provide news, educational shows, cultural coverage, and statewide emergency alerts. Leaders say those services remain essential, but now rely heavily on local support to continue.
“This is your public media station,” Overgaard said. “Your support right now helps SDPB minimize disruptions and protect the journalism, education, emergency alerts, and cultural coverage that your public media station delivers statewide—every day, to everyone.”
Ryan Howlett, CEO of Friends of SDPB, echoed her appeal, urging South Dakotans to step up before services decline.
Overgaard emphasized that the station will stay on the air, but warned that specific programs may disappear or change without local donations to bridge the gap. “Defunded doesn’t mean defeated,” she said. “Help SDPB stay strong—right here, where it counts. Now’s the time to act.”
Congress’s decision affects every public radio and TV station in the country, including rural areas with few other media outlets. SDPB operates transmitters across South Dakota and supports educational and emergency communication systems often relied on during severe weather and natural disasters.
Further updates are expected as SDPB finalizes its revised budget and operational plan before the federal money ends.
