West

Boise State Public Radio chief fears service cuts if Trump funding ban succeeds

Published

9 months ago

June 12, 2025

Boise State Public Radio chief fears service cuts if Trump funding ban succeeds

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Boise State Public Radio, which has been serving Idaho for nearly five decades, is an NPR-member station that could be severely affected if the Trump administration successfully halts federal funding of public media.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this month instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR” and other public media outlets. NPR has vowed to challenge the order “by all means available,” but local station leaders are preparing for the federal spigot to be shut off.

Boise State Public Radio receives about 15-20% of its $4.8 million budget from CPB funding. The station receives about 12% of its budget from a Community Service Grant, with additional government resources coming from programming grants designed to help regional journalism.

“To lose that funding would also likely mean loss of services locally,” Boise State Public Radio general manager Tom Michael told Fox News Digital.

THIS LOCAL NPR CEO IS SPEAKING OUT AS TRUMP ORDER THREATENS FUNDING FOR PUBLIC STATIONS

Boise State Public Radio could be severely impacted if the Trump administration successfully halt federal funding of public media.

“Idaho is a very rural state,” he continued. “We have transmitters in locations with a couple thousand people, and the reason we’re able to do that is because of funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.”

Trump contends NPR is a far-left outlet that doesn’t merit public funding, while NPR has fired back that the president’s order is an affront to the First Amendment that jeopardizes stations like Michael’s.

Michael believes “anything in the public realm is up for debate,” and is eager to explain to critics why Boise State Public Radio can’t simply make up the lost cash through additional advertising or other ways a for-profit station would attempt to generate additional revenue.

“We have a non-profit mission; we’re on the non-commercial band and the Federal Communications Commission classifies us as a Noncommercial Educational. We have a mission of service,” Michael said.

“We can’t do political ads, for example. That’s just not allowed on FCC broadcast rules,” he said. “We have restrictions on us that we can’t do commercial messaging.”

Boise State Public Radio serves a variety of small Idaho towns such as Salmon, Stanley and Challis, with tiny populations, some with fewer than 1,000 residents.

“A commercial broadcast probably wouldn’t find a return on investment in some of those places, but we do it because of the public-private partnership we have, and because it’s our duty based on the 1967 Broadcasting Act to serve as many Americans as we can,” he said.

“When people ask, ‘Why should taxpayers fund this?’ Well, part of this is because of our mission of universal service,” Michael continued. “Trying to serve as many people as we can, no matter where they’re from. It’s not just a bottom-line business interest; we need to be in those areas.”

PBS CHIEF WARNS CUTTING FEDERAL MONEY WILL ‘DEVASTATE’ LOCAL STATIONS AS WHITE HOUSE SEEKS TO PULL FUNDING

NPR host Ashley Ahearn conducts an interview on horseback in rural Idaho.

Michael said that the emergency alert system is another reason why public radio stations are vital in rural areas. Boise State Public Radio is essentially the primary service for a “huge part” of Idaho, feeding smaller stations with emergency messaging.

“No matter if they’re commercial stations or religious broadcasters or whomever, we help originate that signal. And so that’s really important,” Michael said.

“In the heart of New York City, you’re always going to get a signal. That’s not the case in Idaho. You know, broadband connectivity isn’t strong in a lot of places. And, you know, we have wildfires,” he continued.

Michael also recalled the 2022 Four Corners Fire, which forced about 600 people to flee their homes. Afternoon host Troy Oppie provided residents with evacuation orders.

“Radio, which is an old technology, is still very relevant for people who might not have great cell service, might have lost electricity… there is no paywall. They can access it [for] free, and we feel it’s our duty to share that information,” he said.

PBS, NPR BLAST ‘BLATANTLY UNLAWFUL’ TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER HALTING PUBLIC FUNDING, VOW CHALLENGES

Boise State Public Radio News program “Idaho Matters” focuses on local issues. (Boise State Public Radio)

Boise State Public Radio has a staff of roughly 30 people with half of them on the content side of the business. The station is funded through September, when the fiscal year ends, and Michael has been telling concerned staffers it’s “full steam ahead” at the moment, but employees are anxious.

Michael explained that the CPB typically provides about $600,000 in grants to Boise State Public Radio, and he believes it would have an “outpouring of local support” if Trump succeeds in withholding that cash. But it might not be enough.

“I don’t necessarily believe in our low-population state that we’d have, you know, 600 new major donors suddenly appear,” he said, noting that a “major donor” gives $1,000 or more.

“It’s not just one year of funding, it’s year after year, and it allows us to do all of these things,” he said.

Michael said Boise State Public Radio also helps fill a “hole” in local news coverage, as regional newspapers such as the Idaho Press and Idaho Statesman have seen their staff dwindle in recent years.

TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO SLASH TAXPAYER FUNDS TO PBS, NPR: ‘RADICAL, WOKE PROPAGANDA’

President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this month instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR.” (NPR logo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images. Trump photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The debate over NPR’s funding comes amid the taxpayer-backed outlet grappling with accusations of liberal bias that critics say betrays the public trust. Former editor Uri Berliner resigned last year after calling out how NPR covered such major topics as Russiagate, the COVID lab leak theory, and Hunter Biden’s scandalous laptop.

Michael, who previously worked in public radio in Texas and has interviewed figures like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and former First Lady Laura Bush, said it’s important for public media to touch a wide range of topics.

“I don’t agree with everything I hear on the radio, but I appreciate the public radio service because it’s pluralistic, right? It covers a lot of issues,” Michael said.

“I think every public radio station should reflect the issues of the community,” he added. “We lean into that here.”

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital’s David Rutz contributed to this report.

Brian Flood is a media editor/reporter for FOX News Digital. Story tips can be sent to brian.flood@fox.com and on Twitter: @briansflood.

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Montana

Montana AG letter alleges Helena violates law banning ‘sanctuary cities’

Published

31 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Montana AG letter alleges Helena violates law banning ‘sanctuary cities’

HELENA — On Monday, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen sent a letter to the City of Helena claiming the municipality is not in compliance with the state’s law banning “sanctuary cities.” The letter comes just under a month after the State of Montana launched an investigation into a city resolution on Helena Police policy and Helena’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

In the letter, Knudsen laid out the ways he believes the city’s resolution violated state law. The attorney general gave Helena 15 days to respond or reverse the policy. If the city does not comply, his office will pursue legal action.

“Helena’s resolution appears to contain blatant violations of this law,” wrote Knudsen.

MTN News

On January 26, 2026, the City of Helena adopted a resolution clarifying when and how the Helena Police Department will cooperate with federal immigration officials. The vote was 4 to 1. The Helena commission seats and the mayor are elected in non-partisan races.

In the letter, Knudsen alleges the resolution established “a broad sanctuary city policy” that seeks to protect every illegal immigrant, regardless of whether the individual had committed a serious crime or not. The state further claims the resolution gives illegal immigrants “special privileges” in plea deals and establishes a “free-for-all policy” where a police officer can request the unmasking of Department of Homeland Security and ICE officers.

Knudsen has requested that the City of Helena, in their response, specifically describe in detail how the resolution complies with Montana law, provide emails and correspondence from city staff and the commission regarding the resolution.

Helena City manager Alana Lake told MTN in a statement: “The City of Helena is aware of the issues being raised by the Attorney General’s Office and is reviewing the matter. While we cannot discuss the details of a potential legal issue, the City is committed to transparency and compliance with the law. The City takes these matters seriously and will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities while remaining focused on serving our community.”

Passed in 2021, Montana House Bill 200 prohibits a state agency or local government from implementing any policy that prevents employees or departments from communicating with federal agencies regarding immigration or citizenship status for lawful purposes. It also states governments must comply with immigration detainer requests if they are lawfully made.

HB 200 was backed by Republicans and passed with only Republican votes. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the legislation into law on March 31, 2021.

Passage of the resolution by the Helena City Commission has drawn ire from conservative voices in Montana politics and on the national level.

The resolution said the commission supported the Helena Police Department avoiding “committing its resources to federal action for which it has no authority,” such as entering into an agreement with the federal government to directly enforce immigration laws. Under federal law, immigration enforcement is conducted by federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. However, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, state and local governments can voluntarily enter into 287 (g) agreements with the federal government that allow them to enforce immigration laws.

The commission further supported HPD’s policy not to stop, detain, or arrest a person solely on suspected violations of immigration law, including assisting other agencies in an arrest based solely on immigration law.

DEEPER LOOK: Helena has seen a growing debate over ICE and local police involvement

In the resolution, the commission also supported an HPD officer, using their own discretion, requesting the identification and unmasking of a Department of Homeland Security Officer if the HPD officer “feels it will not be interfering with the actions of federal officers exercising their jurisdiction.”

“This adversarial relationship by local law enforcement toward federal officers itself undermines public safety and forces immigration officers to fear for their safety when they are simply carrying out their lawful duties,” wrote Knudsen.

The resolution further supports the City of Helena’s policy not to consider immigration consequences in a plea agreement with a defendant.

The commission also supports the City of Helena not disclosing any sensitive information about any person – including immigration status, sexual orientation, or social security number – except as required by law.

“This is a restriction that directly conflicts with Montana’s prohibition on sanctuary jurisdictions, specifically ‘sending to, receiving from, exchanging with, or maintaining for a federal, state, or local government entity information regarding a person’s citizenship or immigration status for a lawful purpose,’” the attorney general wrote.

If a government is found to be violating Montana’s law banning “sanctuary cities”, the state could fine them $10,000 every five days, prevent them from receiving new grants from the state, and have their projects with the state re-prioritized. A government in violation can avoid penalties by becoming compliant with the law within 14 days of being notified of the violation.

Read the full letter from the Montana Attorney General to the City of Helena:

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Nevada

Visitors flock to Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada for rare superbloom

Published

43 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Visitors flock to Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada for rare superbloom – CBS Baltimore

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Visitors are flocking to Death Valley National Park for a rare superbloom.

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New Mexico

Tanya Tucker to perform at New Mexico State Fair

Published

1 hour ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Tanya Tucker to perform at New Mexico State Fair

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Tanya Tucker will perform at the 2026 New Mexico State Fair, officials announced Tuesday.

Tucker will take to the stage Friday, Sept. 18, after the Chevron PRCA rodeo. The Grammy Award-winning icon has racked up 10 No. 1 country hits since her first hit, “Delta Dawn,” at age 13.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the legendary Tanya Tucker to the New Mexico State Fair,” said Dan Mourning, general manager of the New Mexico State Fair. “Tanya is one of the greatest icons in country music history and is the perfect fit for the Fair.”

Tucker has 23 Top-40 albums and 56 Top 40 singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has won two Country Music Association awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, three CMT Awards and two Grammys for Best Country Album and Best Country Song.

Tickets are set to go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m.

Here is the full 2026 New Mexico State Fair rodeo-concert lineup:

Friday, Sept. 11

Turnpike Troubadours with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls

Saturday, Sept. 12

Ian Munsick with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls

Wednesday, Sept. 16

Chevron PRCA Standalone Rodeo

Thursday, Sept. 17

Everclear with Chevron PRCA Rodeo

Friday, Sept. 18

Tanya Tucker with Chevron PRCA Rodeo