Federal Funding Threats

Executive Actions 

On May 1st an Executive Order was issued instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's (CPB) Board of Directors to cease any direct or indirect funding to NPR and PBS.  Read the CPB's statement regarding this Executive Order HERE. PBS and a public television station in rural Minnesota filed a lawsuit challenging the order.

Last month, three Corporation for Public Broadcasting board members received notices from the deputy director of presidential personnel for the executive office of the president dismissing them from their service on the board. CPB immediately filed a lawsuit against the Administration noting that CPB is not a government entity, and its board members are not government officers. CPB also amended its bylaws on May 15th to say that no one can remove its directors without a vote of approval from at least two-thirds of the other directors.

Cancellation of Ready To Learn

On May 2, the U.S. Department of Education notified the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) that its 2020-2025 Ready To Learn grant was terminated, effective immediately. CPB then informed PBS and 44 public media stations in 28 states and the District of Columbia that receive Ready To Learn grants to stop work immediately, pausing the program in rural and urban communities throughout the country. Read the CPB’s statement on the US Dept of Education Terminating the Ready To Learn Grant HERE.

KBTC is one of the 44 stations that received Ready To Learn funding. Locally, this program funded our free bilingual afterschool and summer camp program in rural east Pierce County along with our family engagement programs in partnership with PSESD's Latinx Family Advocacy program and Sumner Bonney Lake School District.  We are actively seeking funding and partnerships to avoid interruption to this program.

FY 2026 Budget and Appropriations

The President's fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget proposal eliminates federal funding for public media.

What This Means For You

As a PBS station rooted in Tacoma and serving western Washington, we are locally managed and controlled by staff who live and work in this community. Federal funding makes up approximately 20% of our budget. Losing that funding would have a severe impact on the services we provide you and our neighbors including:

The unique dramas and variety of programs you enjoy.
Free culturally responsive lesson plans and trainings for educators to meet the needs of students and families.
Public safety communications during natural disasters.
Access to afterschool and summer programs that help students develop critical thinking and STEM skills.
Local storytelling and in-depth public affairs coverage.
Learn more about the value KBTC brings to our community >