Five jobs eliminated in WFUV reorganization 

WFUV in New York City has cut five staff positions and restructured director-level jobs in response to the loss of its federal funding.  

For the public radio music station, the rescission of CPB’s appropriations triggers a 7% drop in its annual revenues, according to a press release. 

WFUV’s Community Service Grant in FY24 was $447,007, according to CPB’s website. 

The layoffs, announced Wednesday, represent 12% of staff and affect positions in programming, digital and corporate underwriting, according to WFUV. 

“We are saddened to say goodbye to talented colleagues who have served WFUV and our community for years,” GM Chuck Singleton said in the release. “This budgetary decision was a painful one. Our colleagues’ contributions have been vital, and we are deeply grateful.”

The organization is also reconfiguring eight positions to “better enable us to meet the moment’s challenges,” Singleton told Current in an email. Singleton will remain GM but “will be sharpening my focus to concentrate on major fundraising, strategic partnerships and long-range sustainability,” he wrote. 

Rich McLaughlin, formerly the station’s PD, is now associate GM. Russ Borris and Meghan Suma will serve as co-PDs in addition to their new roles as music program director and director of audio and digital content, respectively, according to Singleton. Midday host Alisa Ali will take an additional role as assistant director for community music partnerships. Kara Manning, formerly music content and communications director, is now digital music content and communications director, and Lisa Smith, formerly corporate underwriting account manager, is now assistant director of strategic business development.

WFUV is also creating a new underwriting position with “a sharp focus on digital business,” Singleton said in the email. It is working with Jacobs DR, a digital revenue consultant, “to strengthen our digital marketing strategy,” he said. 

“We’ll be reimagining how WFUV serves listeners and artists in New York,” McLaughlin said in the release. “These changes align us with the future of public media: more local, more digital, and more connected to our community. They position us not only to adapt but to thrive.”

Update:  This article has been revised to correct an error in Singleton’s email to Current. Manning’s new title is digital music content and communications director, not digital content and communications director.

Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly said Borris’ new role would be as music director. It is music program director.