PDX Progressive Talk Radio on 08/20/25

 Good morning,  I’m Sherry and today we spotlight two critical federal actions affecting our community: the cut in funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and AG Pam Bondi’s legal threat over Oregon’s sanctuary policies. These issues touch not just our media ecosystem and public safety—but the very principles of local autonomy and civic trust.

Thank you for listening to PDX Progressive Talk Radio in your morning routine today August 20th 2025. We’re so happy to be able to bring you information you can only get here on KBOO Community Radio. A lot has happened and continues to happen across the northwest with the ICE protests and other protests across the nation. 

2. Segment One: Defunding Public Broadcasting

• Report & Context:

  • Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, signed by President Trump on July 24, 2025, eliminating $1.1 billion in CPB funding, which distributed grants to PBS, NPR, and roughly 1,500 local stations 

  • The CPB announced its wind‑down: most staff let go by September 30, 2025, with a skeleton crew remaining until January 2026 opb+4opb+4Wikipedia+4.

  • Programs like the Next Generation Warning System grant have been terminated, raising concerns about emergency alerts in rural areas TV Tech+11TV Tech+11Wikipedia+11.

  • PBS is cutting 21% of its budget—$35 million in membership dues—and nearly 115 public radio and TV organizations are at risk of closure Oregon ArtsWatch • Arts & Culture News+15TV Tech+15opb+15.

  • In response, foundations like Knight, MacArthur, Ford, and others have pledged $37 million in emergency support via a newly created Public Media Bridge Fund, while aiming to raise $100 million over two years The Washington Post+1.
     

• Local Impact in Oregon:

  • Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) launched an emergency membership drive to counter about a $5 million shortfall KCBY+5KATU+5opb+5Axios.

  • Rural and tribal stations—like KWSO (lost 40% of its budget) and KRVM (20% of its $800K budget)—face especially dire consequences KGW+2KLCC+2.

• Questions:
   

  • What will be lost if CPB ceases operations?

  • How will emergency services and educational programming be affected?

  • What role can listeners play—donations, advocacy, local government pressure?
     

3. Segment Two: Federal Threat Over Sanctuary Policies

• Report & Context:

  • U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a letter to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (and similarly to Washington’s governor), warning that their sanctuary policies may violate federal immigration law and urging rescission—or else face legal action and potential funding cuts Axios+8TV Tech+8The Guardian+8KGWAxios+10KATU+10Reddit+10.

  • Oregon and Washington responded firmly, rejecting the call to abandon their sanctuary laws KCBY+6opb+6Axios+6.

  • In other parts of the U.S., Bondi is similarly pressuring sanctuary cities like Boston—demanding compliance or threatening legal consequences Axios+1.
     

• Conversation with callers:

• Questions:
   

  • On what legal grounds does Oregon defend its sanctuary stance?

  • How does the Fourth Amendment interplay with immigration detainers? (“Holding individuals solely on civil immigration detainers…” raises constitutional concerns Reddit.)

  • What would be at stake if Oregon concedes—or resists?
     

4. Closing & Call to Action

• Summary:

  Today we looked at two urgent challenges facing Oregon:

  • Public Media at Risk – With the Corporation for Public Broadcasting defunded, stations like OPB, KBOO, and smaller rural and PEG outlets face devastating cuts that threaten local journalism, emergency alerts, and the voices of our communities.

  • State Autonomy Under Pressure – Attorney General Pam Bondi’s letter to Oregon demands changes to our sanctuary laws, raising sharp questions about federal overreach, immigrant rights, and the state’s constitutional authority to protect its people.

  • Together, these issues strike at the core of who gets to be heard and who gets to decide how Oregon governs itself.

• Engagement:

  Join us in action: Become a sustaining member of KBOO Community Radio. Your support helps us bridge the funding gap, keep local voices on the air, and ensure that independent, community-driven media survives this storm. You can visit www.kboo.fm for details.

Thank you to my Board Op - Ty. :)