PBS Michiana – WNIT announces layoffs triggered by state, federal cuts

PBS Michiana – WNIT in South Bend, Ind., announced Tuesday that it is laying off five employees and reducing the hours of two additional staffers.

“We are deeply saddened to part with such talented and dedicated colleagues,” GM Amanda Miller Kelley said in a news release. “Their creativity, professionalism, and passion have been instrumental in making PBS Michiana – WNIT the trusted source it is today. These layoffs reflect the sudden loss of funding—not the quality of our staff or the work they have done.”

Before the announcement, the station had 28 employees. The reduction affects employees in production, administration and engineering/operations.

The announcement follows the vote in Congress to rescind fiscal year 2026 and 2027 federal funding to CPB. The corporation will begin winding down operations Sept. 30. Indiana lawmakers also cut funding to stations in April. In FY24, CPB gave more than $1 million to the station, a quarter of its total revenue of $4 million. The station received approximately $438,000 from the state that year, according to an audited financial statement.

Stations that have announced layoffs since July include NJ PBS, PBS North Carolina, American Public Media Group on two separate occasions, GBH, KQED, WQED, TPT, WKAR and WFIT.