DUNMORE, West Virginia — The recent decision by Congress to retract $1.1 billion in federal funding has left many small radio operations vulnerable, especially those serving rural communities. Among the hardest hit is Allegheny Mountain Radio, a cooperative consisting of three stations dedicated to delivering local news and information to residents of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, and Bath and Highland counties in Virginia. While Allegheny Mountain is not an official NPR member station, it does air NPR's daily newscast, offering a concise summary of top stories to its listeners.
Allegheny Mountain Radio's programming is diverse, featuring local news segments as well as shows focusing on gospel, country, and blues music. A recent episode of the Noon Hour Magazine highlighted a $5,000 signing bonus aimed at attracting new teachers to the area and discussed the potential impact of energy demands from data centers on this remote region, where residents often travel up to 60 miles to reach the nearest shopping center. The show also included a segment on missing pets, bringing light to local concerns, such as a missing dilute calico cat and even an emu that had been wandering the county, as recounted by Scott Smith, the station's general manager.
Allegheny Mountain Radio relies heavily on funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which accounts for approximately 65 percent of its annual budget of around $500,000. Smith has indicated that although the station has some financial reserves, the loss of federal funding could pose an existential threat. "There is only so long that you can continue to exist when you are operating in the red," Smith noted, emphasizing the urgency of their financial situation. He hopes to raise additional funds to bridge the gap but acknowledges that staffing cuts or even station closures may become necessary if the funding situation does not improve.
Allegheny Mountain Radio plays a crucial role in connecting a region characterized by challenging geography, including the Monongahela National Forest and parts of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The cooperative is vital for local residents, as many areas lack reliable access to phone and internet services. "It's our only source of local, daily information," said Jay Garber, mayor of Monterey, Virginia, highlighting the radio's importance in disseminating information about water main breaks, road closures, and other community updates. In a region where a traditional newspaper is published just once a week, the radio station fills a critical gap in local news coverage.
Community members like Jean Hiner, 79, emphasize the value of the information provided by Allegheny Mountain Radio, recalling how it keeps residents informed about local obituaries and other important events. However, not everyone appreciates the station's programming. Danny Cardwell, a station coordinator and reporter, recounted an incident where frustrated listeners resorted to dumping manure in front of the station due to its coverage of contentious county supervisors' meetings. Smith has also faced backlash from listeners who object to the station's association with NPR, despite the fact that NPR's newscast constitutes only 40 minutes of the daily programming.
Despite the challenges, Smith and his team do not hold NPR responsible for their funding struggles but view their situation as a casualty of the increasing polarization in American politics. Smith pointed out that many residents in the counties served by Allegheny Mountain Radio support NPR and appreciate its offerings. In fact, one listener recently expressed a willingness to personally fund the newscast. Cardwell argues that the targeting of public media by political figures only serves to undermine local stations that are essential for community cohesion. "Getting rid of these local stations is throwing away the baby with the bath water," Cardwell asserted, noting that this defunding is part of a broader attack on institutions that provide reliable information.
As the situation unfolds, the future of Allegheny Mountain Radio and similar small stations remains uncertain, highlighting the critical need for support and funding for local media in rural America.
