Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media eliminated 30 positions Friday following federal and state budget cuts.
American Public Media Group, the nonprofit parent company of Minnesota Public Radio, announced the impending staff reductions in late July. The St. Paul-based media company said in a statement at the time that it planned to lay off 5% to 8% of its staff “in the coming weeks” and reduce employee benefits as it faces a more than $6 million budget deficit due to federal and state budget cuts.
“Due to reductions in funding from both federal sources and the State of Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media is facing a budget shortfall of more than $6 million this fiscal year,” said Roycie Eppler, chief people and culture officer with American Public Media Group, in a statement Friday. “While MPR|APM remains financially strong, these cuts required us to make the difficult decision to reduce our workforce by 30 positions — about 6% of staff.”
APMG has a workforce of approximately 500.
Republican majorities in the House and the Senate in July rescinded $1.1 billion in already-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 2026 and 2027. Those cuts effectively fully defunded the organization that directs federal dollars to National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting System and some 1,500 local public radio and TV stations around the country, including Minnesota Public Radio.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced in August that it would shut down following the federal cuts.
“We are deeply grateful for the contributions of our departing colleagues and are providing severance and career transition support,” Eppler said. “For nearly 60 years, MPR|APM has delivered trusted news, conversation and music, and we remain committed to serving our audiences and leading public media into the future.”
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