For generations of El Pasoans who grew up on PBS and NPR programming, the passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025 effectively put an end to that.
The $9 billion cuts that impact public broadcasting and foreign aid put local stations like Public Broadcasting System affiliate KCOS-TV and National Public Radio affiliate KTEP-FM in the crosshairs. In the wake of the U.S. House of Representatives giving final approval of the cuts to President Donald Trump on Friday, July 18, KTEP-FM noted in a statement that the following weeks would see important changes.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 216-213. On July 24, President Trump signed the act making the cuts official. As of Aug. 1, an estimated 1,500 television and radio stations have been impacted by the cuts as reported by USAFacts.
KTEP: ‘We will be heavily impacted’
“KTEP will be heavily impacted by this cut, and we’ll learn more about the degree and timing in the coming weeks,” General Manager John Carillo said in a statement. “As a university-owned station with a mission to serve our community, KTEP will continue to work with NPR and other partners to provide high-quality news and entertainment for the El Paso community for the foreseeable future.”
The station confirmed it is working to develop “a sustainable financial model” following the cuts.
“While we are moving quickly in this transitionary season, it will take some time to plan out a future that ensures we can continue to broadcast NPR and other quality content. Our pledge to you as a KTEP supporter is that we’ll actively update you when we have meaningful information to share,” Carillo said.
According to KTEP, they regularly rely on various funding sources, including federal dollars. Donation-based funding will now play a larger role in meeting operational costs.
“Your generous support has always been key to our ability to provide quality radio to El Paso. Now more than ever, we need your help. So, if you appreciate the great news, music and other programming we offer at KTEP, please make a gift today,” Carillo said.
KCOS-TV was contacted for a statement, but did not respond.
$1.1 billion cut from public broadcasting
Following the narrow vote by representatives, the White House confirmed this was not the last time they would ask Congress to approve more rescission requests.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting distributes more than two-thirds of the money to more than 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations, with much of the remainder assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service to support national programming, PBS reported.
The estimated $1.1 billion lost by public broadcasting is the total due during the next two budget years.
The White House says the public media system is “politically biased and an unnecessary expense.”
Although the vote went along party lines, some Republicans raised concerns about other services public broadcasting provides.
PBS also reported Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the stations are “not just your news — it is your tsunami alert, it is your landslide alert, it is your volcano alert.”
As the Senate debated the bill, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the remote Alaska Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings on local public broadcasting stations that advised people to get to higher ground.
Democrats in Congress still contend that rescission requests by the White House bypass the legislative procedure that brings together both parties to properly negotiate cuts to programs.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: What do federal cuts to NPR and PBS mean for El Paso stations?
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
