Wisconsin Public Radio is laying off at least 15 staff members due to budget issues and potential federal funding cuts. WPR Director Sarah Ashworth said the station faces rising costs, flat revenues, and must adapt to changing audience habits. Four radio programs will be canceled, including “To the Best of Our Knowledge,” “BETA,” “Zorba Paster On Your Health,” and “University of the Air.”
The layoffs also include not filling several open positions. Staff were notified on Friday, and a somber meeting followed. Some questions from employees went unanswered.
Founded as 9XM, WPR is the nation’s oldest public radio station. About 4 percent of its funding comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which may lose $1.1 billion if a federal proposal passes the Senate by mid-July.
Listenership has declined since the pandemic, and WPR says these changes are needed to continue serving Wisconsin communities.