House of Representatives votes to defund public media; WXPR calls for listener support

Last Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives, per an executive order passed by the Trump Administration earlier this month, voted to rescind $1.1 billion in public media funding, clawing back funds that were previously budgeted for public radio stations like WXPR, stationed in Rhinelander.

As this rescission package cutting funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) now heads to the Senate, WXPR CEO and General Manager Jessie Dick says that what happens next could reshape the future of public media.

“This is not just a policy debate. It’s a turning point,” Dick stated in a newsletter released last week. “This is not only about defunding public broadcasting — it’s about weakening independent journalism, silencing trusted voices and dismantling institutions that keep communities informed, connected and safe.”

Dick added that this is “the most serious challenge WXPR has ever faced,” as the station received 25% — or $171,000 — of its annual budget in 2024 from the CPB.

“WXPR is built on the idea that local voices matter, that rural places deserve independent, fact-based news. That music and stories can bind communities together. That’s not changing,” she said.

The station is now calling upon the continued support of its listeners, asking for donations so that the station may survive what is described as a “crisis,” so that it may continue its reporting, programming and outreach.

“We’re preparing for what comes next—with urgency and vision. And we’re calling on those who believe in public media to stand with us now,” added Dick.

Listeners looking to continue support for the station can do so by staying informed by visiting protectmypublicmedia.org, donating to WXPR, spreading the word, following WXPR on social media, subscribing to newsletters and encouraging loved ones to advocate for public media.

To learn more, visit wxpr.org.

Concluded Dick, “Together, we can turn this challenge into a defining chapter in WXPR’s story.”