Prairie Public event exceeds fundraising goal as PBS president delivers ‘state of the station’
Dan Koeck / North Dakota Monitor
PBS CEO Paula Kerger speaks about the future of public media at the Sanctuary Events Center in Fargo, N.D., Thursday.
This article was first published by the North Dakota Monitor and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
FARGO — It wasn’t just the severity of the federal cuts to public broadcasting but their immediacy that is taking a toll, PBS CEO Paula Kerger told people in Fargo Thursday.
In response, PBS is trying to provide a financial bridge to affiliates that are most reliant on federal funding, which she said are often in rural and remote areas.
“A lot of people are coming together to help us figure this out,” Kerger said.
Federal and state funding cuts caused Fargo-based television and radio broadcaster Prairie Public to lose about 25% of its revenue.
Thursday’s event, titled “State of the Station: The Road Ahead for Prairie Public,” came a day after Prairie Public announced it eliminated 12 staff positions because of the cuts.
Kerger said a silver lining is seeing philanthropists, foundations and other supporters stepping up.
“Every amount is important,” Kerger said.
Prairie Public set a fundraising goal of $25,000 before the event, which it exceeded, though an official total raised at the event was not immediately available.
Greg and Rebecca Hauge of Fargo said they increased their financial support of Prairie Public a couple of years ago.
Greg Hauge called the funding cuts a “big setback” but said he hoped that they might also create some opportunities to stimulate fundraising.
The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region stimulated the fundraising by announcing a $30,000 grant if Prairie Public raises matching funds.
Spencer and Danielle Salmon are North Dakota natives who live in Moorhead, Minn., raising two children.
They said they appreciate the programming from PBS Kids that promotes inclusion of children with disabilities and other aspects of diversity.
“It’s safe content, and no one is trying to sell them something,” Spencer Salmon said.
Their family was included in a video highlighting Prairie Public supporters. Danielle Salmon singled out an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood that dealt with food allergies, something her daughters deal with.
“That was so helpful to help explain what was going on and some of the testing they would have to do,” she said.
Danielle Salmon said she was hoping to come away from the night with a sense of community among other Prairie Public supporters.
Those supporters got a chance to ask questions of Kerger and Prairie Public CEO John Harris.
Asked where other cuts might be made, Harris said, “That’s what we’re evaluating.” He added that the staff positions cut were in a variety of departments.
Kerger said some people expected PBS to go away with the defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
In July, federal lawmakers rescinded about $1.1 billion in previously approved congressional spending that was to be distributed to CPB. CPB announced Aug. 1 its plans to close in response to the federal cuts, with a majority of staff positions ending Sept. 30.
While that entity is winding down, Kerger said PBS will carry on, though it, too, may have to adjust what it is able to offer.
During the 2025 legislative session, North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong proposed $2.9 million for Prairie Public for the 2025–27 budget cycle, including $1.7 million in one-time funding for transmitter replacement and maintenance. Lawmakers reduced the overall state funding to $400,000, providing money for tower improvements. Some lawmakers had advocated for cutting off funding to Prairie Public completely.
Armstrong and first lady Kjersti Armstrong stopped at Thursday’s event briefly after spending the day in Fargo.
Kjersti Armstrong had served on the Prairie Public Broadcasting board, a position she resigned when Kelly Armstrong was elected governor.
“Prairie Public serves really important needs in North Dakota for education and safety and information. I am sure that it will continue to thrive and serve the population,” Kjersti Armstrong said.
