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Smoky Hills PBS has received a stabilization grant from the Public Media Bridge Fund, providing essential support after losing federal funding last year, which reduced its operating budget by nearly 52 percent. The grant will help the station continue serving rural communities across central and western Kansas.

Smoky Hills PBS is one of 115 public media stations nationwide selected for this funding, aimed at stations facing significant financial challenges, particularly those serving rural and underserved areas. For many communities, local public media stations are the primary source of news, educational programming, and community storytelling.

The grant will fund transmitter repairs and maintenance, programming costs to continue PBS and local content, and equipment upgrades for high-quality coverage of events, public affairs, and community-focused programming. These investments will stabilize operations and strengthen the station’s ability to serve viewers now and in the future.

The Public Media Bridge Fund supports local media organizations in maintaining essential services during times of financial disruption.