By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter
Imagine you’re building a house. The walls are going up, the roof is ready and, suddenly—someone comes along and hauls a truckload of your bricks right out of the pile. That’s what happened recently to public broadcasting stations across America. Congress passed a rare rescission bill that pulled back billions of dollars that were already promised, and local stations like WGTE in Toledo are now becoming creative to make up for the unexpected shortfall.
For Marcus Harrison, WGTE’s Director of Marketing and Communications, this is more than a budget problem. It’s a test of purpose. Harrison is no stranger to big projects. He’s spent years in media as the creative producer and supervisor for Buckeye Community Arts Network (BCAN). In a full circle moment, he began his career at WGTE 20 years ago, left to spread his wings, and has now returned to the station.
And just as the storm rolled in, he feels like he’s standing in exactly the right place.
“This feels very mission-driven,” Harrison said. “Like I have a purpose to be here right now. On one side you have your greatest fear, but on the other side you can have your greatest joy. I think something great is going to come out of this.”
What Happened?
To understand the challenge, you have to rewind back to 1967. That’s when Congress created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a kind of middleman to distribute federal funds to stations like WGTE, NPR, and PBS. For decades, this funding made sure kids could learn their ABCs from Sesame Street, families could watch documentaries and communities could stay informed through local programming.
But in 2025, Congress reached back into CPB’s bank account and pulled funds that were already earmarked for the current year. “It’s like someone saying, ‘Oh, you already planned to pay your bills with this paycheck? Sorry, we need that back,’” Harrison explained.
For WGTE, that means a $1.2 million cut—21 percent of its entire budget. It’s the kind of loss that could knock out the lights if not addressed quickly.
Why It Matters
Public broadcasting is like a community library on the airwaves. It’s one of the few places where kids, seniors, and families can all find something educational, entertaining, and inspiring—for free. Harrison remembers sitting as a child in front of PBS classics like Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Those types of shows didn’t just keep us busy. They taught us how to read, count, and dream.
“To think children today might not grow up with public educational programming—that’s nuts,” Harrison said. “It’s crazy to imagine that those memories and that way of life could be threatened.”
He compares cutting PBS and NPR funding to turning off a lighthouse during a storm. Without it, people are left in the dark, drifting without direction. “Public media is too valuable to lose,” he said. “We’ve all been touched positively by it in some way.”
What’s at Risk
WGTE pays dues to NPR and PBS to broadcast their shows. With less money, those dues are harder to cover. While national partners agreed to reduce fees by 21 percent to match the loss, WGTE is still staring at an $800,000 shortfall for 2025.
Locally, Harrison says it could mean fewer documentaries, fewer series, or the cancellation of programs that highlight life in northwest Ohio. Projects still in the idea stage may have to be shelved.
“We’re already lean,” he explains. “We don’t have extra staff to cut. So programming is what could take the hit. If you take $1.2 million out of anyone’s budget, there’s going to be strain.”
The good news: WGTE hasn’t laid off any staff. They were already running lean, so keeping people on board is a priority. “We’re working with the bare minimum,” Harrison said, “so the only thing left that could be vulnerable is programming.”
How WGTE Plans to Move Forward
Instead of throwing up his hands, Harrison is leaning into innovation. “We have to get very intentional about connecting with the community,” he said. “Do we need a town hall about gun violence? A podcast for young people? We’ll listen and create based on what the community needs.”
Partnerships will also play a huge role. WGTE is exploring collaborations with other organizations, opening doors to fresh ideas, and even launching new broadcast segments as a way to expand reach. Harrison sees this moment as an invitation to get creative, try new formats, and connect with parts of the community that may not have been reached before.
“It’s like being forced to learn a new recipe,” he said. “Sure, we lost some of our usual ingredients, but maybe this pushes us to make something even more delicious.”
More Than a Budget Problem
For Harrison, the deeper issue isn’t just dollars and cents. It’s what the cuts say about how much—or how little—America values education and information.
Observers in the media world have long noted that PBS often faces funding threats, despite its foundational role in providing educational content.
This year is notable because opponents didn’t just talk about cutting.
They succeeded.
“They actually reached into the account and took back money that was already at work,” Harrison explained. “That has never happened before.”
Many media analysts consider this a travesty, warning that cutting funding to PBS could silence the voices of a generation. Without those voices, they say, the public loses a vital platform for information and education.
Finding the Silver Lining
Despite the challenge, Harrison is surprisingly hopeful. “Yes, the reality is not good,” he admitted. “But I see this as an opportunity. An opportunity to grow, to build new connections, to try new things. Remember on the other side of our worst fear could be our greatest joy.”
A Legacy Worth Protecting
In 2027, WGTE will celebrate 75 years of serving northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Few organizations can claim that kind of legacy. To Harrison, the future milestone is proof that WGTE is more than just a station. It’s a thread woven through generations of families who’ve learned, laughed, and grown through its programming.
“Something about our programming means something to this community,” he said. “To make it 73 years shows that people value what we do. And we’re not stopping now.”
As WGTE moves forward, Harrison promises the station will be more visible, more vocal, and more connected than ever.
“Look for us to be loud,” he said. “Look for us telling the stories of the people who live, work, and play right here.”
The Bigger Picture
What’s really at stake, Harrison believes, is the imagination and education of future generations. “PBS is as American as you can get,” he said. “It’s for the people, by the people. Taking it away is like taking away the people’s voice.”
But if you ask Harrison what he sees beyond the storm, he’ll tell you this: WGTE isn’t closing its doors. It’s opening new ones. The station will lean harder on its mission, explore fresh ways to serve, and invite the community to play a bigger role in shaping what comes next.
Yes, the bricks were pulled from the pile. But instead of leaving a hole, Harrison is determined to rebuild—stronger, taller, and with a little extra paint to make the house shine.
“Public media isn’t done,” he said with quiet confidence. “It’s just getting started in a new way.”
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