April 26, 2025

Important Message

From Dawn Schmitt, WQPT PBS General Manager

In the coming days, we anticipate the White House will submit a rescission package to Congress that would eliminate federal funding for all public media, including WQPT PBS, the Quad City region's public broadcasting station. If this happens, it would mark the most serious threat to federal public media funding in decades. Once this package is formally submitted, Congress will have up to 45 days to vote on whether to implement these cuts, but their decision could arrive much sooner.

WQPT PBS belongs to you.

We are the only community-owned television station in the region and are proud to serve over 800,000 viewers each month. Simply put, cuts to our federal funding would devastate the programs and initiatives our community relies on, leaving many of our neighbors without the critical services we provide, including educational support in local classrooms, emergency alerts, and programming and outreach that educate, inform, and connect communities across our region.

In light of this news, WQPT PBS is launching an emergency campaign to help safeguard the services our local community depends on. Our mission remains unwavering: to inform, engage, and serve every member of our community. We're still here, still broadcasting, and more dedicated than ever to our mission of public service. But to continue, we truly need community support.

How you can help.

We are encouraging you to take immediate preemptive action by learning more and signing up at Protect My Public Media. Your voice will be crucial if the situation progresses, as we believe it will. This is one small but vital action you can take today to ensure readiness for what may follow.

Please go to protectmypublicmedia.org to contact your legislators in support of WQPT PBS, your local public broadcasting station.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds. Thank you for your support and advocacy in this challenging time. Feel free to reach out to us with your questions or comments.

With sincere gratitude,