Tribal radio stations across more than a dozen states are still waiting for word on $9.4 million in federal funding promised through an informal agreement between U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds and the Trump administration, according to the North Dakota Monitor. The pledge followed Congress’ decision to eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which many rural tribal stations had relied on for operational costs.
An Interior Department spokesperson said Indian Affairs has received a list of 37 stations and is working to distribute the funds but did not provide a timeline or details on allocation. Loris Taylor, president and CEO of Native Public Media, said she has written to Rounds and the Bureau of Indian Affairs but has not received a response. Station managers in Alaska, Wisconsin and Oregon said they cannot plan budgets without clear information and expressed concern about the long-term stability of tribal broadcasting.
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