Current
@current.org
News and opinion about public and nonprofit media in the U.S. https://current.org
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“I think for a long time, public media shied away from sports,” says @whyy.org Audio GM Joan Cherry Isabella. “But I think … that may have been a mistake. People love sports.” current.org/2025/11/publ...
Public radio gets back in the game with ‘Sports in America’
More than 60 stations are carrying the program hosted by David Greene.
current.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
“I think for a long time, public media shied away from sports,” says @whyy.org Audio GM Joan Cherry Isabella. “But I think … that may have been a mistake. People love sports.” current.org/2025/11/publ...
”I competed with the puppets, which is ridiculous,” Manzano says. “But when I realized that I was a straight man and they were the comics and all I had to do was set up the joke, that’s when I understood what my job was.” current.org/2025/11/new-...
New documentary examines life of ‘Sesame Street’ trailblazer Sonia Manzano
"Street Smart: Lessons From a TV Icon" highlights the legacy of the public TV star.
current.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
”I competed with the puppets, which is ridiculous,” Manzano says. “But when I realized that I was a straight man and they were the comics and all I had to do was set up the joke, that’s when I understood what my job was.” current.org/2025/11/new-...
“They don’t do the shock value stuff,” said an APT viewer and “PBS News Hour” fan. “They just tell you what’s happened, and I think that’s vitally important.” current.org/2025/11/comm...
Commission votes to keep PBS programming on Alabama Public Television
A commissioner who advocated for cutting ties had called PBS “the enemy of what I stand with.”
current.org
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
“They don’t do the shock value stuff,” said an APT viewer and “PBS News Hour” fan. “They just tell you what’s happened, and I think that’s vitally important.” current.org/2025/11/comm...
“This is not an option for you to debate. It’s an obligation that you need to fulfill,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and a former NJ PBS board member. (Via @newjerseymonitor.com) current.org/2025/11/new-...
New Jersey lawmakers hear pleas to save public broadcasting
The testimony comes after NJ PBS said it would close in June.
current.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:38 PM
“This is not an option for you to debate. It’s an obligation that you need to fulfill,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and a former NJ PBS board member. (Via @newjerseymonitor.com) current.org/2025/11/new-...
"Such a sweeping, immediate action, especially if taken unilaterally by the executive branch, should be undertaken only after a thorough planning process," said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican. current.org/2025/11/gove...
Governor asks Alabama Public Television board to pump brakes on PBS decision
The Alabama Educational Television Commission is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to cut ties with PBS and drop its programming.
current.org
November 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
"Such a sweeping, immediate action, especially if taken unilaterally by the executive branch, should be undertaken only after a thorough planning process," said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican. current.org/2025/11/gove...
The last airdate of "PBS News Weekend" will be Jan. 11. current.org/2025/11/weta...
WETA to cut staff, cancel ‘PBS News Weekend’ and close News Hour West bureau
The restructuring includes the elimination of 34 positions, following another round of cuts made in September.
current.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The last airdate of "PBS News Weekend" will be Jan. 11. current.org/2025/11/weta...
Reposted by Current
I see #radio host and interviewer Martin Perlich has died:
current.org/2025/11/radi...
I note that he and I both had interviews with Frank Zappa.
Here’s his (mine, for better or worse) is lost in the ether.
youtu.be/_rH3pHh0pyo
current.org/2025/11/radi...
I note that he and I both had interviews with Frank Zappa.
Here’s his (mine, for better or worse) is lost in the ether.
youtu.be/_rH3pHh0pyo
Frank Zappa: 1972 Summer KMET-FM The Electric Tongue interview by Martin Perlich
YouTube video by What's Zappa
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I see #radio host and interviewer Martin Perlich has died:
current.org/2025/11/radi...
I note that he and I both had interviews with Frank Zappa.
Here’s his (mine, for better or worse) is lost in the ether.
youtu.be/_rH3pHh0pyo
current.org/2025/11/radi...
I note that he and I both had interviews with Frank Zappa.
Here’s his (mine, for better or worse) is lost in the ether.
youtu.be/_rH3pHh0pyo
Reposted by Current
NYU professor argues that #publicmedia without public funding necessarily becomes media only for the elites. current.org/2025/10/opin...
Opinion: Why public funding still matters for journalism in a democracy
"The philanthropic nonprofit model is simply not up to the job of playing the unifying civic role that is the ultimate purpose of any public media worthy of the name."
current.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:28 PM
NYU professor argues that #publicmedia without public funding necessarily becomes media only for the elites. current.org/2025/10/opin...
Reposted by Current
Spotted as we clean out the Marketplace offices before we move. Tells you how long we’ve been here.
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Spotted as we clean out the Marketplace offices before we move. Tells you how long we’ve been here.
It's the last day to respond — have you been laid off from a public media job since the rescission? Take our confidential survey:
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November 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
It's the last day to respond — have you been laid off from a public media job since the rescission? Take our confidential survey:
american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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"Martin Perlich was a world-class interviewer whose passion for music and conversation illuminated the lives of countless listeners and artists." current.org/2025/11/radi...
Radio host and interviewer Martin Perlich dies at 88
Perlich was best known for his nationally syndicated series "Martin Perlich Interviews," in which he spoke with legendary figures including Leonard Bernstein, Frank Zappa and Aaron Copland.
current.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
"Martin Perlich was a world-class interviewer whose passion for music and conversation illuminated the lives of countless listeners and artists." current.org/2025/11/radi...
"It’s also clear, unfortunately, that without a mandate from CPB, the industry runs the risk of becoming more opaque to its detriment." current.org/2025/11/opin...
Opinion: Data is helping to save public media. We can’t let it slip
"The next 12 to 24 months will define public media’s long-term future. We need to resist the temptation to turn inward and keep our struggles and successes secret."
current.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"It’s also clear, unfortunately, that without a mandate from CPB, the industry runs the risk of becoming more opaque to its detriment." current.org/2025/11/opin...
The cuts mark the fourth round of layoffs at GBH this year. current.org/2025/11/gbh-...
GBH plans to cut 15 positions by January
The station plans to eliminate jobs in its finance, marketing, technology and children’s programming departments.
current.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The cuts mark the fourth round of layoffs at GBH this year. current.org/2025/11/gbh-...
”While our community has stepped up in meaningful ways since the rescission, that generosity has not been enough to fully close the gap,” a PBS SoCal spokesperson said. current.org/2025/11/pbs-...
PBS SoCal cuts 10% of workforce
The Los Angeles station is absorbing the loss of $4.3 million in federal funding.
current.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
”While our community has stepped up in meaningful ways since the rescission, that generosity has not been enough to fully close the gap,” a PBS SoCal spokesperson said. current.org/2025/11/pbs-...
Help sustain the journalism that keeps public media connected and informed. 💜 Donate today: giving.american.edu/page/58249/d...
#NewsMatch #PublicMedia @inn.org
#NewsMatch #PublicMedia @inn.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Help sustain the journalism that keeps public media connected and informed. 💜 Donate today: giving.american.edu/page/58249/d...
#NewsMatch #PublicMedia @inn.org
#NewsMatch #PublicMedia @inn.org
It's the last week to respond to our confidential survey about layoffs in pubic media. Laid off since the rescission? Add your experience: american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
american.co1.qualtrics.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It's the last week to respond to our confidential survey about layoffs in pubic media. Laid off since the rescission? Add your experience: american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Update: “CPB has not succumbed to pressure from the White House as our actions over the past months demonstrate,” CEO Pat Harrison said in a statement Friday. current.org/2025/10/judg...
Judge directs CPB to set aside $36M in interconnection funding until trial ends
District Judge Randolph D. Moss directed the corporation not to “encumber” the funds or execute a contract that would “speak to how those funds might be used.”
current.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Update: “CPB has not succumbed to pressure from the White House as our actions over the past months demonstrate,” CEO Pat Harrison said in a statement Friday. current.org/2025/10/judg...
“This is a remarkable demonstration of what South Dakota can do when we pull together,” SDPB Executive Director Julie Overgaard said. (Via @southdakotasearchlight.com) current.org/2025/10/gran...
Grants and fundraising soften SDPB layoffs, but several local programs remain impacted
The softened layoffs, down to seven from 15 announced earlier, were made possible by a mixture of restructuring, donations and grants.
current.org
October 31, 2025 at 12:52 PM
“This is a remarkable demonstration of what South Dakota can do when we pull together,” SDPB Executive Director Julie Overgaard said. (Via @southdakotasearchlight.com) current.org/2025/10/gran...
During a court hearing Tuesday, an attorney for NPR suggested that CPB sought a new approach to interconnection funding after an April 3 meetng with an OMB director. current.org/2025/10/npr-...
NPR, CPB spar in court over interconnection funding
NPR’s attorney presented evidence to make a case that CPB’s decision to change course on interconnection funding violated the First Amendment.
current.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
During a court hearing Tuesday, an attorney for NPR suggested that CPB sought a new approach to interconnection funding after an April 3 meetng with an OMB director. current.org/2025/10/npr-...
“I have not stopped hearing people talk about the loss that it is,” said a former GM of Cleveland's WCSB, which switched this month from student- and volunteer-hosted shows to jazz programmed by public broadcaster Ideastream. current.org/2025/10/idea...
Ideastream agreement to program Cleveland State’s WCSB spurs pushback from students, community members
Ideastream and CSU leaders call the partnership a “win-win,” but fans of WCSB’s previous format are lamenting the switch to jazz programming.
current.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“I have not stopped hearing people talk about the loss that it is,” said a former GM of Cleveland's WCSB, which switched this month from student- and volunteer-hosted shows to jazz programmed by public broadcaster Ideastream. current.org/2025/10/idea...
“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. current.org/2025/10/cpb-...
CPB grants $1.1M to form Upper Midwest Newsroom
Minnesota Public Radio will lead the collaboration.
current.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
“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. current.org/2025/10/cpb-...
"State and local public funding initiatives are a great start, but the ultimate goal should be nationwide with lost funds not only restored but substantially increased." current.org/2025/10/opin...
Opinion: Why public funding still matters for journalism in a democracy
"The philanthropic nonprofit model is simply not up to the job of playing the unifying civic role that is the ultimate purpose of any public media worthy of the name."
current.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:37 PM
"State and local public funding initiatives are a great start, but the ultimate goal should be nationwide with lost funds not only restored but substantially increased." current.org/2025/10/opin...
”PBS has made themselves the enemy of what I stand with, and so I do not like them, and I don’t follow the philosophy of feeding the beast,” said Alabama Educational Television Commission board member Les Barnett. (Via @alabamareflector.com) current.org/2025/10/alab...
Alabama Public Television may drop PBS programming
APT Executive Director Wayne Reid told the Alabama Education Television Commission that the network is studying ways to separate from PBS.
current.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:27 PM
”PBS has made themselves the enemy of what I stand with, and so I do not like them, and I don’t follow the philosophy of feeding the beast,” said Alabama Educational Television Commission board member Les Barnett. (Via @alabamareflector.com) current.org/2025/10/alab...
Laid off from public media since the rescission? Our confidential survey is still open. Please share.
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October 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Laid off from public media since the rescission? Our confidential survey is still open. Please share.
american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Lakshmanan called the co-hosting job “the opportunity of a lifetime.” current.org/2025/10/indi...
Indira Lakshmanan named ‘Here & Now’ co-host
Lakshmanan joins co-hosts Scott Tong and Robin Young next month.
current.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Lakshmanan called the co-hosting job “the opportunity of a lifetime.” current.org/2025/10/indi...