KLRN

I represent your neighbors who work in and for our community at KLRN Public Television.

We urge Congress to reject the destructive proposals to rescind, cut or eliminate public media funding. Cutting federal funding would leave many Americans, especially those in rural parts of our 33-county coverage area, without access to critical resources.

The investment in public television allows KLRN to provide free essential services through trusted educational resources, homegrown programming, and public safety partnerships. This equals $1.60 per American per year and less than .01% of the federal budget.

At the core of KLRN’s mission is community service. Public television was designed to provide free educational content and engagement opportunities to communities across the country. Today, KLRN and PBS meet that mission using new and traditional media platforms to support children and the adults who guide and care for them.

Public television provides critical educational resources for the over 50% of 3–4-yearolds in the U.S. who do NOT attend preschool. More than 64,000 area children and caregivers benefitted from free early childhood services offered by KLRN in 2024. These programs are only possible in a non-commercial setting where the sole focus is the wellbeing of our children.

KLRN connects communities, celebrates hometown heroes, active and retired military, local history, and shines a light on the people, places, and stories that are at the heart of our community for over 3.7 million viewers in South Central Texas. We invest in bilingual educational resources, accessible content for people with disabilities, and forums for civic dialogue that are open to all, not just those who can afford subscription fees.

Federal funding for public media is irreplaceable and essential to KLRN. This is not a temporary budget cut. If revoked, KLRN might cease to exist and our families, friends, and generations of neighbors who rely on our programs and resources will lose access for good.

KLRN has made a difference in the lives of people throughoutourcommunityfor the last 63 years. Federal funding makes it possible for us to be a lifeline, a classroom, and a connection to our community.

That is why our community’s outreach today is critical. If we can show Congress that most Americans value free public television, we can protect the federal funding that makes KLRN’s work possible.

It’s up to all of us to safeguard KLRNfortoday,tomorrow, and generations ahead.