A NOTE FROM SYLVIA A TURNING POINT FOR PUBLIC MEDIA
This year has been especially difficult for TPT and public media, with growing threats to federal funding casting uncertainty over our future. In just the last few weeks, the Trump administration signed an executive order to eliminate all federal funding for PBS and NPR, terminated the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready to Learn grant that supported TPT’s PBS KIDS series “Skillsville,” and submitted a formal request to Congress to rescind funding already approved for the next two years, which the House passed on June 12th. As I write this, we await the Senate’s vote on the rescissions package: If they vote “yes,” the landscape of public media will be irreparably changed. This isn’t just a policy debate in Washington—it’s an existential threat to the future of trusted, local public media available without charge. Federal support makes up nearly 10% of TPT’s budget, and for every dollar of federal funding we receive, we unlock six more from local viewers, foundations and partners. That funding powers educational content for parents and caregivers, supports TPT NOW, our multilingual emergency alert service, and helps us bring local stories to life, like the upcoming sixth season of “Relish,” recently nominated for a James Beard Media Award. As we mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence, TPT presents “A Capitol Fourth 2025” on July 4 at 8 pm and 9:30 pm. Also in July, “Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty” explores a time of upheaval and extraordinary creativity, while “The Great American Recipe” returns for Season 4 with an all-star culinary team. These programs made possible by public media are now at risk of disappearing. At a time when our communities are more divided and more in need of connection than ever before, the work of TPT is essential. That’s why I’m asking for your continued support— not just as a viewer or member, but as an advocate. If you believe in what TPT stands for, now is the time to raise your voice. Reach out to your elected senators in Washington. Tell them why public media matters to you and your community. And visit TPT.org/Advocate to learn more about how you can take action.
Relish
A Capitol Fourth 2025
Thank you for standing with us. Your support is extraordinary— and it has never been more important.
With gratitude,
Sylvia Strobel President & CEO, Twin Cities PBS
The Great American Recipe
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TPT.org
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