TPT lays off employees in wake of federal funding cut
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TPT's headquarters in St. Paul, Minn.
TPT in St. Paul, Minn., announced it is laying off employees in response to federal funding cuts to public media.
CEO Sylvia Strobel informed staff about the cuts Tuesday in an email obtained by Current. “Due to the loss of federal funding, we have made the decision to reduce our staff,” Strobel wrote. “All impacted staff were notified earlier today, and their last day will be tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23.”
The email did not specify how many employees are affected. A station spokesperson did not immediately answer questions about how many employees will be laid off.
Last week, Congress approved the Trump administration’s plan to rescind $1.1 billion in funding previously approved for CPB for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. TPT received $4.3 million in federal funding in fiscal year 2024, accounting for 8.3% of its total revenue as shown on its FY24 990 form.
“As discussed at several All Staff meetings, we have been engaged in intensive advocacy and financial contingency planning for months,” Strobel wrote in the memo to staff. “We hoped for a different outcome, but these actions were necessary to ensure our resiliency through an uncertain economic landscape.”
Earlier this year, TPT furloughed employees after its Ready To Learn grant awarded through the Department of Education was terminated.
Wow! “Good morning. You’re being laid off. Be gone tomorrow.” Doesn’t that seem a tad harsh? It’s one thing if you’re being fired for cause, but …