New Mexico governor approves emergency funds for public media
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New Mexico PBS' headquarters in Albuquerque.
New Mexico’s governor signed bills Friday that included $5.6 million in emergency funding for the state’s 12 public media organizations and an additional $430,000 for three stations associated with Indigenous communities.
The funding comes as the legislature, following a special session, approved almost $162 million in spending for food-assistance programs and health-care initiatives that counter federal cuts, according to the Associated Press.
The fiscal year 2026 funding will make up for the loss of federal support through CPB due to the rescission in July. New Mexico PBS, the largest station in the state, was going to lose approximately $1.7 million in FY26.
“I want to personally thank Gov. Lujan Grisham and HED Secretary Rodriguez for their support of public media in New Mexico, along with our wonderful state Legislature,” said New Mexico PBS CEO Franz Joachim in a news release. “This landmark allocation means children still have PBS Kids and educational resources they can count on, trusted news, arts, and culture are still reaching families in every corner of our state, and our emergency alert system is still active and vigilant when it matters most.”
New Mexico stations still face a budget hole next year in FY27. The state separately provides annual appropriations of about $12.1 million to three university-licensed public media organizations.
In a news release, KUNM in Albuquerque said it faced a shortfall of approximately $274,000, or 12% of its annual budget, due to the federal rescission.
“This funding is not just a lifeline for our station—it’s a lifeline for the communities we serve,” said GM Jeffrey Pope in a news release. “From cultural programming that serves diverse audiences, to local reporting that holds power accountable, KUNM remains committed to serving the community of Central and Northern New Mexico.”
Scott Michlin, GM for KSJE in Farmington, said in an email that the station has not made cuts “and thanks to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature, our funding will not be cut as much as initially feared. We will have a little more time to develop our future fund-raising efforts.”
