On the Ground Report: Federal Impacts in North Dakota
By: Prairie Action North Dakota Institute
July 31, 2025
Trump signs bill slashing public media
The new bill:
Cuts $1.1 billion from public broadcasting
Wipes out 20% of Prairie Public’s budget
Jeopardizes funding for Tribal radio
Federal lawmakers from North Dakota — including Hoeven, Cramer, and Fedorchak — all voted yes.
What This Means for Prairie Public
The cuts are a $2.5 million blow to Prairie Public
That’s funding that supports:
Local shows like Prairie Mosaic and Prairie Pulse
Political debates and rural news coverage
Essential children’s programming like Sesame Street
Prairie Public President John Harris says they’ll “stand on their own”—but with deep cuts to staff, programs, and possibly coverage areas.
What’s At Risk for Tribal Radio
K.E.Y.A. and other tribal stations are barely holding on
Without federal funds, KEYA (serving Turtle Mountain) could shut down.
These stations share vital civic info, language preservation, and emergency alerts.
“In rural communities, tribal radio is often the only trusted source.” Nicole Donaghy, ND Native Vote
What are ND Lawmakers Saying?
Here’s what some ND leaders are saying about defunding local media:
“They should get funding privately.” — Sen. Hoeven
“Time for public media to stand on its own.” — Sen. Cramer
“Congress shouldn’t subsidize biased messaging.” — Rep. Fedorchak
Why This Matters
Prairie Public and tribal radio aren’t just "nice to have."
They’re:
Lifelines during weather emergencies
A rare source of local, fact-based journalism
Critical for rural, low-income, and Native communities
Cutting their funding doesn't just silence programs — it silences people.
Sources:
Bismarck Tribune, July 20, 2025
ND Monitor, July 16, 2025
Fargo forum, july 26, 2025
