Alabama Public Television is cutting 11 positions, about 15% of its staff, after losing more than $2 million in federal funding, it announced on Thursday.
The cuts and staff reorganization take effect Sept. 30, before the start of the new fiscal year.
“This is a very difficult day for Alabama Public Television,” Wayne Reid, executive director of APT, said in a written statement. “The funding loss has forced us into a position we never wanted to face. I am deeply saddened that this situation has required us to eliminate valued positions. On behalf of APT, I want to sincerely thank our employees for their years of service, hard work, and dedication to our mission.”
Those losing their jobs include regional Emmy winners, an APT spokesman said.
Republicans in Congress approved in July $1.1 billion in cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as part of a $9 billion rescissions package.
Republicans have complained for years about liberal bias in NPR and PBS news programing. At the time, some Alabama Republicans said they hoped to find a way to get some funding to local stations like APT. That hasn’t happened.
Alabama Public Television previously received about 13% or about $3 million of its funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes federal funds to local public media outlets.
The press release from APT Thursday said it remains committed to serving the people of Alabama with high-quality educational programming, trusted news and information, and cultural content that reflects life in Alabama.
Capitol Journal, the news show that airs nightly during the legislative session and weekly outside of the session, is not impacted by the cuts.
Alabama Daily News’ Alex Angle and Trisha Powell Crain also report for Capitol Journal. Todd Stacy, ADN publisher, hosts the show.