Lakeshore Public Media received a record-breaking anonymous donation of $126,000, which was received “at a crucial moment” when funding for public media has been cut, according to a press release.
The donation will go toward the production of local journalism for public radio WLPR 89.1 FM and public television Lakeshore PBS/WYIN, according to the release.
In the final hours of the 2025 session, the Indiana legislature cut $380,000 from Lakeshore’s budget. Then, at the federal level, funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was cut back in July, according to the release.
The anonymous donation “provides vital breathing room” to pay for outstanding dues and programming fees while “ensuring that local news, educational programming and community services stay intact.”
Further, the donation will allow reporters to continue covering community stories, studios to produce original programs and transmitters to stay on-air, according to the release.
“While financial challenges remain, this extraordinary gift has ‘lit the fuse’ on Lakeshore’s next chapter,” said Lakeshore Public Media’s Interim CEO Nancy Clifford in the release. “Stabilizing operations and inspiring a bold push toward sustainable growth. It stands as proof that, even in difficult times, the public values independent journalism and education close to home.”
Congress approved about $9 billion in federal spending cuts in July requested by President Donald Trump, including deep reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid, moving forward on one of the president’s top priorities despite concerns from several Republican senators.
The legislation would claw back nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount it’s due to receive during the next two budget years.
The corporation distributes more than 70% of the money to more than 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations, with much of the remainder assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service to support national programming.
Mark Newman, executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Inc., previously said that there’s a “distinct possibility” that Indiana stations will shutter as a result of the federal funding cuts, especially when combined with the state legislature’s cut to public media funding, Newman said.
“This is a serious setback. All of our IPBS member stations — including Lakeshore — are directly impacted. While Congress may be targeting NPR and PBS in its defunding efforts, the true burden will fall on local stations. Seventy percent of federal public media funding goes directly to local stations,” Newman said.
Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, which reach 95% of the state, aim to ensure public safety, provide educational programming and foster civic and community connection, Newman said.
“Stations like Lakeshore will be forced to scale back services, and that means fewer resources for Hoosiers across the state,” Newman said. “Those in rural and underserved communities — who rely most on free, locally controlled media — will feel it the most.”