With the threat of federal funding cuts to public media, a lot is at stake for Rochester's WXXI.
The local PBS and NPR affiliate does a lot more than broadcasting, and its benefits to the community are at risk if federal funding is cut.
June 9, 2025. 12:48 p.m.
Text, images, and video by Max Conway.
Text, images, and video by Max Conway.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Through emergency alerts, journalism, music, and outreach events, Rochester's WXXI connects with the community in ways that many may not expect from a local public media station.
President Donald Trump has been attempting to remove federal funding for public media. Most recently, Trump asked Congress to cut funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the entity that provides federal funding to National Public Radio (NPR), Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and their member stations.
As the threat of federal funding cuts looms large, PBS and NPR member stations, such as WXXI, may need to reduce some of their myriad offerings.
President Donald Trump has been attempting to remove federal funding for public media. Most recently, Trump asked Congress to cut funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the entity that provides federal funding to National Public Radio (NPR), Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and their member stations.
As the threat of federal funding cuts looms large, PBS and NPR member stations, such as WXXI, may need to reduce some of their myriad offerings.
Journalism
"We are the link for people to their local community," says WXXI's Morning Edition host Beth Adams. "We are holding up a mirror to our community and reflecting it back."
Beth Adams hosts Rochester’s local Morning Edition on WXXI radio, April 18, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.
Adams, a producer and reporter, is often the first person in the office in the morning. While Morning Edition is a national NPR show, her segments focus on making local connections to news stories.
She believes in the importance of connecting news to the Rochester community, especially as newsrooms are rapidly closing across the United States.
"People need to have an eye on what's happening in their community, be it at the government level or the grassroots level in the community," says Adams.
"People need to have an eye on what's happening in their community, be it at the government level or the grassroots level in the community," says Adams.
Emergency Alerts
A unique connection to the Rochester community is the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) service provided by WXXI. Powered by PBS Warning, Alert & Response Network (WARN), the station serves as a backup to wireless carriers in the event their emergency alert system fails. Transmitted messages can be amber alerts, weather warnings, or even national presidential messages.
"It is a very unique service," says Greg Carter, vice president of technology and operations. "Only public broadcasters are doing it."
Greg Carter, vice president of technology and operations at WXXI, works in a control room, April 18, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.
WXXI broadcasts reach some of the smaller communities outside of Rochester, which are often too small to support for-profit stations, Carter says. If funding is cut, he worries some of these smaller communities could lose their coverage, jeopardizing their emergency alerts.
"People come to rely on us," he adds.
Federal Funding
Federal funding accounts for 12% of the budget, according to President and CEO Chris Hastings.
Chris Hastings, president and CEO of WXXI, poses for a portrait in his office, April 22, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.
There is uncertainty about what WXXI would cut if federal funding is reduced or eliminated.
"I don't want to say that we would stop operating, but we definitely would have to make some changes," says Hastings. "It would definitely be a shift in what we're trying to do with engagement," says Hastings.
Hastings is appreciative of the financial support from the community. However, he does not believe donations can make up for the loss in federal funding.
"That money from the federal government, the American people, is vital," he adds.
News coverage and children's programming are priorities for continued funding of the station. However, Hastings declines to speculate on specifics of reductions in service due to a lack of clarity in the situation.
News coverage and children's programming are priorities for continued funding of the station. However, Hastings declines to speculate on specifics of reductions in service due to a lack of clarity in the situation.
Educational Community Outreach
WXXI's Early Learning department does more than just air national PBS Kids content.
"The biggest benefit, I think, for us as an education team is really being able to be responsive to what the community needs," said Cara Rager, director of Early Learning.
Rachel Rosner, left, and Cara Rager, right, of WXXI talk to Carrie Rubert, center, about resources from PBS Kids at the Northeast Child Abuse Conference, April 23, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.
Rager and her department focus on connecting national PBS Kids content to the community. The team collaborates with librarians, schools, and other organizations that work with children to promote the resources they offer.
One community outreach trip had Rager visit the Northeast Child Abuse Conference.
"They recruit a whole range of folks from around the Northeast that are working with families in really traumatic situations," adds Rager.
"They recruit a whole range of folks from around the Northeast that are working with families in really traumatic situations," adds Rager.
Rager will attest to the quality and usefulness of PBS Kids programming. The national shows contain themes that aim to help kids learn and mature. An episode of Daniel Tiger might have a song about how to handle anger, Rager explains.
"PBS Kids does research on all of their programming," answers Rager when asked about the distinction from other children's content available. "We're trying to convey the difference, you know, and empower a family to make healthy decisions, right?"
Support from the Community
Support from the local Rochester community has been a bright spot for WXXI.
Mona Seghatoleslami, music director and host at WXXI Classical, sees the powerful effect of her music selection in the community.
Mona Seghatoleslami, WXXI’s music director, creates a set list for her afternoon show, April 18, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.
Seghatoleslami recalls an email from a community member who heard a piece during her show.
"She said, 'Yesterday my friend died of cancer, and hearing that music allowed me to mourn,'" recalls Seghatoleslami. "And I just put it on because it was pretty, right?"
"She said, 'Yesterday my friend died of cancer, and hearing that music allowed me to mourn,'" recalls Seghatoleslami. "And I just put it on because it was pretty, right?"
Rev. Justin Miller, a priest with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester who has some classical music playing experience himself, started listening to WXXI Classical while attending St. John Fisher University. Miller has won tickets to local productions twice over the last year or so.
"To be able to not only receive free classical music via local radio broadcasts, but on two occasions to win free tickets to area art performances made me very grateful," wrote Miller.
The genuine connection made with Seghatoleslami over the phone meant a lot to Miller.
"[Seghatoleslami's] voice is almost more calming than the classical music if you can believe that!" he added.
Bobbleheads of Mona Seghatoleslami and her colleagues sit in a broadcast booth, April 18, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.
The Politics
President Trump and critics of NPR and PBS justify federal funding cuts by accusing the organizations of biased reporting. Chris Hastings disagrees.
"[Community members] really want to listen in and hear what the new information is because the way we present news, it's really, I think, fair and balanced," says Hastings.
While he does not believe the show perfectly lines up with his more independent political views, Rev. Miller tunes in to WXXI's Connections with Evan Dawson yearly around election day to hear about local candidates.
"For some races, his show is the only way for the voter to get actual information about a candidate," says Miller.
Despite the recent call for defunding, support for public media appears to be high. A PBS and YouGov poll found that 65% of Trump supporters believe the public media network is either properly funded or underfunded.
With the future uncertain, Hastings nonetheless shares a message of optimism.
"I think what's important is we're here to serve, and we're going to do our best to sort of maintain whatever we do," says Hastings.
