SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) - Ever listened to "Car Talk" on the radio? Or maybe you've seen an episode of Sesame Street. If you answer "yes" to either of these questions, then public broadcasting has probably had some impact on your life. Federal budget cuts are putting public television and radio on the chopping block.
The U.S. House recently approved a budget proposal that would get rid of the corporation for public broadcasting, a big source of funding for both entities.
Sioux City radio station, KWIT-KOJI FM90, which provides a wide variety of programming including national public radio, would lose a third of its funding.
That amounts to $140-thousand; something radio station management says would have a detrimental effect.
"We support all the arts and the rich cultural life in our community... that is the role that we play in this market and we want to obviously continue to do that... but it can't happen if we don't have the funding and support necessary," explained general manager Gretchen Gondek.
The cuts still have to be approved by the democratically-controlled Senate. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin says that's unlikely.
"I don't think it'll have a chance getting through the senate. No way. It comes under my jurisdiction, and I'm not going to let it happen," said Harkin.
Ten public radio and television stations across Iowa received $3.9 million from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting this year.
