BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - October 1 marked public media’s first time without federal funding in 50 years. A bill signed in July canceled $1.1 billion dollars in funding. Now, stations like Alabama Public Television (APT) and WBHM here in central Alabama may have to rely solely on community support to keep going.

Kate Riley, the President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations said, “We’re seeing stations across the country having to make devastating cuts – reducing their staff, reducing their services.”

For over half a century, public media has brought nearly 99% of the American population free educational programming and services with the assistance of federal funding… until now.

“Of the money rescinded, 70% of that funding went directly to local stations. So while

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