Your Support, Our Survival

Dear Friends and Supporters of Lakeland PBS,

I'm writing to you today with some truly difficult news that directly impacts the future of Lakeland PBS, north central Minnesota's only locally owned and operated public television station. Last week, a federal rescissions package passed, eliminating $1 million in annual federal funding—a staggering 37 percent of our operating budget.

The loss of this funding is very significant and deeply concerning. It jeopardizes the critical services we provide every day to children, families, educators, and rural communities across our region. For 45 years, from trusted PBS KIDS content and educational resources to emergency alerts and local journalism through Lakeland News, this station has always been a valued community resource. Today, that resource is at risk.

These eliminated funds were vital federal support previously allocated to public broadcasting infrastructure and service grants. They are crucial for keeping our broadcast signal on the air, supporting local programming, and providing free access to essential educational and emergency resources. Without them, our ability to serve you as we always have is severely limited.

While this is a very difficult moment, I want to assure you that our mission at Lakeland PBS hasn't changed. We are absolutely determined to fight for our future, with the help of the communities we have been proud to serve for decades. We are extremely thankful for every person who has contributed to the station and stood beside us through all these challenges. The vote may be behind us, but the work is just beginning.

Lakeland PBS is not closing, but significant changes are inevitable without swift and collective action. If you believe in public media's value, now is the time to join our community of supporters. This loss represents an urgent threat, but it's also an opportunity for our community to rally and show the value it places on independent, nonprofit, educational broadcasting.

Since signing on the air in 1980, Lakeland PBS has reached over 400,000 people across an estimated 7,500 square miles in north central Minnesota, providing educational programming, vital local public service, and essential community connections. We urge you to stay connected and watch for updates on ways you can get involved, share your support, and ensure that public media remains a vital part of life here. We can’t make it through this alone.

Thank you for your unwavering support.

Sincerely,

Jeff Hanks President & CEO Lakeland PBS

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