Public TV, Radio in W. Kan. Face Massive Cuts

Public television and radio in western Kansas could face significant cuts because of a last-minute amendment dealing with the state’s budget.

That amendment, made on the floor of the Kansas House, stripped half – $903,161 – of the annual allocation for public television and radio stations. That money will instead be going to the Kansas Commission on Veteran’s Affairs.

For Smoky Hills public television station KOOD, based in Bunker Hill, that will mean a loss of between $175,000 and $215,000.

Garden City-based High Plains Public Radio estimates the cuts will amount to $120,000, and could mean the loss of several radio shows and perhaps two out of 10 staff members.

Both stations want listeners and viewers to urge Gov. Mark Parkinson to line-item veto the public broadcasting cut.