South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) will lay off 15 employees and leave five positions unfilled—cutting its workforce by 25%. Several support roles are also being cut, with layoffs effective October 31.
Executive Director Julie Overgaard called the decision “the hardest we’ve ever had to make,” attributing the cuts to a $2.2 million loss in federal funding following a rescission package approved by Congress. The funding rollback takes effect October 1.
Despite the cuts, SDPB will maintain full broadcast coverage across its network of 9 TV and 12 radio transmitters, reaching 98% of South Dakotans. Coverage of the state legislature, high school championships, and fine arts events will continue.
SDPB and its nonprofit partner, Friends of SDPB, are actively seeking emergency funding to restore services and retain staff. CEO Ryan Howlett expressed gratitude for community support and donations, emphasizing that local contributions sustain the programming audiences value most.
SDPB says that without urgent financial help, even core services like PBS/NPR content and emergency alerts could be at risk.
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