CPB grants $1.1M to form Upper Midwest Newsroom

CPB is supporting the establishment of a regional journalism collaboration led by Minnesota Public Radio with a $1.1 million grant, the corporation announced Thursday in a press release. 

The newsroom will be the latest NPR regional news hub, according to the release.

“This collaboration strengthens trusted local journalism and builds regional capacity to cover the stories that matter most to people across the Upper Midwest,” said Kathy Merritt, COO of CPB, in the release. “By combining resources, experience, and a shared public service mission, these stations will deliver reporting that reflects the voices and values of the communities they serve.”

The Upper Midwest Newsroom will also include partners Prairie Public Broadcasting, South Dakota Public Broadcasting and Wisconsin Public Radio. It will consist of two editors overseeing four reporters, with one at each partner station. A reporter based at MPR News will cover tribal communities in the region. 

“This grant allows journalists across the Upper Midwest to collaborate and continue providing the reliable, local reporting that sustains informed and connected communities,” said MPR President Duchesne Drew in the release. 

The grant comes during CPB’s wind-down phase following the rescission of federal funds earlier this year. 

“CPB continues to fulfill its responsibilities as the steward of federal funds and is working diligently to provide essential resources to the public media system in its time of greatest need,” the release said.