Field Guide: The Impact of PBS North Carolina Cuts

By now, you’ve probably heard about the dramatic Republican-led cuts to federal funding for PBS, NPR, and local stations across the nation—around $535 million. NPR stations have rallied in kind, for the meantime, with a recent WUNC drive raising nearly $1 million. 

PBS North Carolina, for its part, has been hard hit: In a recent report, Jane Porter detailed how the network—which has 140 employees across the state, with 125 at its headquarters in RTP—offered separation agreements to most of its permanent employees this week. 

“We did not create this—it was dictated by Congress,” said David Crabtree, the CEO of PBS North Carolina. “Nonetheless, we will play the hand we’re dealt and continue to be good stewards of our budgets.”

PBS is a long-running institution that is easy to take for granted, and I think we’ll be feeling these cuts for a long time, from the network’s programming with things like Shaped by Sound, a show celebrating contemporary North Carolina music, to the emergency communication service that the network hosts in rural areas.

I thought this (sad) New Yorker piece helped give a lay of the land, and this Rolling Stone piece did a good job of zooming in on an effect that might not be the first to spring to mind: a platform loss for Americana music. 

Thanks for reading; more below.

The second iteration of Raleighwood, “an all-day, multigenre, 23-act extravaganza,” will take place in South Raleigh on August 30.  Ryan Cocca recently spent some time with festival founders DJ Ricky Ricardo and rapper Lesthegenius to learn more. 

A tribute to a legend of local journalism and a look at how a local mutual aid organization was able to respond to the aftermath of Tropical Storm Chantal. In Raleigh, Carlos Lemus Sr. (in social media parlance, “#CakeJefe”) has carved out a niche at LaGana as a fastidious cake decorator. Related: LaGana’s burgers have also carved out a niche. 

Some things you might consider doing this weekend. 

ICYMI: A look at Switchyards, Durham’s new “neighborhood work club.” A soothing summer read from a local writer. Durham’s master magician. Non-boozy date ideas.  Who killed Rachel Crook? Banh mi’s and bee themes in Cary.

In Raleigh, popular restaurant Stanbury is expanding, and the Bond Brothers’ taproom is slated to open this September in Salvage Yard; meanwhile, Mofu Shoppe and Mandolin, Sean Fowler’s fine-dining spot, are both closing their doors. 

Uproar Festival is currently sprawling across Orange County in all kinds of places—but not Carr Mill Mall, after a sculpture was removed by the property manager. In Cary, a local high school student is behind a new event: an inaugural community art day, taking place tomorrow.

— Sarah Edwards —
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