FAIRBANKS -- KUAC-FM, the public radio station in Fairbanks, says it is ending its affiliation with the Alaska Public Radio Network, citing a growing budget deficit and decreased funding from the state and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
KUAC, which operates radio and TV stations, said the university is cutting funding by $134,000 and public broadcasting cuts from the state mean the loss of $56,000 more. The stations are to start the fiscal year in July with a deficit of more than $190,000.
"Despite increases in our fundraising revenue, KUAC is again faced with making tough decisions with regard to operations and staffing so that it can minimize the impact to viewers and listeners," the station said.
KUAC said it pays $34,919 for four hours per week of APRN programming, about $168 per hour, while it pays $85,012 for 63 hours a week of National Public Radio programming, about $26 an hour. Among the options it considered, the APRN reduction would have less of an impact on listeners, the station said.
APRN provides a half-hour statewide news broadcast five days a week, along with morning updates and the weekly "Talk of Alaska" talk show program.
KUAC said it will continue to provide local news coverage and is looking at partnerships with other news organizations. The station had considered dropping APRN last year but decided to eliminate a program director position and take other moves to deal with budget cuts.
"I appreciate KUAC's budget squeeze -- a double whammy with state and university cuts -- but absolutely believe the answer is more rather than less collaboration across the system," said Steve Lindbeck, general manager of Alaska Public Media, which operates the network. "KUAC is choosing to isolate itself and Fairbanks audiences."
The $35,000 hit to APRN by the Fairbanks station's decision is substantial too, Lindbeck said.
"It means that much less statewide coverage or service," he said.
The network will cope by keeping open unfilled positions, he said: "Our Juneau reporter, Alexandra Gutierrez, is off to law school this fall, so we'll hold off that hire a bit longer and that's probably the direct fiscal impact."