Vermont Public slashes 15 positions amid federal cuts to pubmedia

Vermont Public, a dual licensee, announced Wednesday that it cut 15 positions and shifted two full-time jobs to part-time roles due to the financial headwinds affecting public media.

The announcement follows the vote in Congress last month to rescind fiscal year 2026 and 2027 federal funding to CPB. The corporation will begin winding down operations Sept. 30.

In FY24, CPB gave Vermont Public more than $2 million, representing almost 10% of its total revenue, according to an audited financial statement. Vermont Public was formed when Vermont PBS and Vermont Public Radio merged in 2021.

The cuts represent a 14% staff reduction and affect almost every department, according to a Vermont Public news story. Thirteen employees were laid off, and a role was shifted from full-time to part-time, according to the article. Two vacant positions were eliminated, and a vacant position was changed from full-time to part-time.

In an interview with Vermont Public, CEO Vijay Singh said he hopes to save at least $1.5 million annually. He added that no local programs are being cut “wholesale” but said some employees “who are faces of certain things” will lose their positions. He didn’t provide additional details when asked about the programs being affected.

Since July, more than 10 public media organizations have publicly announced layoffs tied to the rescission of CPB funding.