Abby DuFour, WCHG News Reporter and afternoon host of DuFour Du Jour, cues up the next song in her broadcast at station WCHG 107.1 FM, in Hot Springs, Virginia, on Friday, July 18th, 2025. Credit: Kristian Thacker for NPR
Public media funding cuts have begun to significantly impact local radio operations across the United States, particularly in rural areas. Following a recent decision by Congress to retract $1.1 billion in federal funds, small radio stations that rely heavily on such support are facing dire financial challenges.
One notable example is Allegheny Mountain Radio, a cooperative consisting of three stations that serve communities in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, and nearby Bath and Highland counties in Virginia. Although not an official member of NPR, the station broadcasts NPR’s daily newscast, which includes a summary of key national and local stories. Its programming features a blend of local news, gospel, country, and blues music.
Recent broadcasts have highlighted crucial regional issues, such as a $5,000 signing bonus aimed at attracting new teachers and the potential impact of data center energy demands on local infrastructure. A segment on the Noon Hour Magazine even addressed community concerns, including a regular feature on lost pets, underscoring the station’s role in connecting residents.
Scott Smith, the station’s general manager, noted that 65 percent of Allegheny Mountain’s $500,000 annual budget comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). With the impending cuts, he expressed concern about the station’s financial viability. “There is only so long that you can continue to exist when you are operating in the red,” Smith stated. He hopes to secure additional funding to mitigate the budget shortfall, yet acknowledges that layoffs or station closures may become necessary if financial conditions do not improve.
The challenges faced by Allegheny Mountain are not unique. Nearly 70 small radio stations across the country, including those in Alaska, Kentucky, Texas, and Mississippi, also depend on CPB funding for at least 30 percent of their annual budgets. These stations provide essential services in regions where access to information can be limited due to geographical barriers and inconsistent internet coverage.
In the area served by Allegheny Mountain, local leaders emphasize the importance of the station. Jay Garber, the mayor of Monterey, Virginia, remarked, “It’s our only source of local, daily information.” He pointed out that the local newspaper is published weekly, making the radio station vital for timely updates on issues such as water main breaks and road closures.
Residents appreciate the personal touch of the station’s programming. Jean Hiner, a local resident, shared that the radio often provides crucial updates about community members. “My husband and I would sit and listen to the radio, and then an obituary would come on. We didn’t know that person had died,” Hiner recounted, highlighting the station’s role in fostering community connections.
Despite its significant community support, Allegheny Mountain has faced criticism. Danny Cardwell, a station coordinator, recalled a time when someone became so upset with the station’s coverage of contentious meetings that they vandalized the premises. Additionally, Smith has received backlash from listeners who perceive NPR’s content as politically biased. He noted that some individuals have even suggested that the station deserves to lose federal funding solely for airing NPR’s newscasts.
In response to these claims, NPR executives have consistently defended the network against accusations of political bias, asserting that their reporting is fair and accurate. Smith emphasized that Central Appalachia is often more diverse than outsiders might assume, with many local listeners appreciating NPR’s coverage. Recently, one listener even offered to fund the NPR newscast personally in light of the funding cuts.
While the majority of voters in the three counties served by Allegheny Mountain supported President Trump in the last election by a margin of nearly three to one, Cardwell argues that the cuts to public media ultimately harm those who backed him. “Getting rid of these local stations is throwing away the baby with the bath water,” he stated. He views the targeting of public media as part of a broader trend aimed at undermining institutions that provide factual information.
As funding cuts to public media continue to unfold, the future of stations like Allegheny Mountain Radio remains uncertain. Staff members recognize that they are caught in the crossfire of a polarized political landscape, yet they remain committed to serving their communities with the news and information that residents rely on.
