Public Radio Station WDIY Comments on Cuts in Federal Funding for Media

July 27, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

WDIY 88.1 FM, a public radio station based in South Bethlehem, faces the loss of $111,000, about 15% of its annual budget, according to a statement from Margaret McConnell, the station’s executive director.

From the website, the comment on the recent vote to end federal funding for public media. The vote was not last night, I’m posting this a a bit late:

Dear supporters of WDIY, Last night, the House voted to rescind money already appropriated to fund public media via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This is one of the final steps before President Trump signs the bill and funding is eliminated. This decision is devastating for the millions of people who rely on public media every day. For WDIY, this funding amounts to $111,000 annually, or about 15% of our budget. That puts the music, news, arts, culture and community information that you love and rely on from WDIY in jeopardy. We’re moving into an uncharted future, but our commitment to you remains unwavering, and your support has never been more vital. We will fight to keep bringing you rigorous journalism, courageous storytelling, inspired music discovery, community connection and the kind of reporting that democracy depends on — every day, without fear or favor. Our work was recently recognized with 17 Keystone Media Awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association. Programs and local news stories created by this community for this community were recognized for their ability to inform, inspire and uphold the First Amendment.  All of that and more was made possible right here in the Lehigh Valley region thanks to you. We are deeply grateful for this community’s incredible support — whether you called or wrote your lawmakers, donated, or sent us notes of encouragement. You put the “public” in public media, and together we will ensure that free access to trusted reporting, inspiring music discovery and programs that stoke your curiosity continues in service of everyone who calls this region home. Now is the moment to consider what WDIY means to you, your friends and family, and all those who rely on it. Ensure your support matches that value and your capacity to give.

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We will fight to restore federal funding. In the meantime, your donation is more critical now than it has ever been. Every dollar helps and sustained support on a monthly basis has a significant impact on our ability to meet this moment and ensure our public service continues. Please give now. Stand with WDIY and public media — not just for yourself, but for the millions who benefit from a trusted resource, a reliable companion, and a civic cornerstone. Sincerely,

Margaret McConnellExecutive Directormargaret@wdiy.org | 610.694.8100 ext. 6 | www.wdiy.org

WDIY started broadcasting from South Bethlehem in 1995. Its headquarters is just a few blocks from the offices of Lehigh Valley Public Media, which operates Lehigh University’s WLVR FM 91.3 public station.

Lehigh Valley Public Media, also known as Channel 39 and other things, sits on a pile of public money, about $75 million. That came from the auction of public airwaves. Still, LVPM will lose about 20% of its revenue, according to the news / television / radio outlet.

WDIY does not have that kind of wealth. It carries National Public Radio programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered, along with local programs.

WDIY’s predicament was recently reported on in The Washington Post, as noted in this blog item (gift link included, although it does require a free account).