Talk on the Rock is KSTK’s live call-in show. Every Tuesday at 1pm we welcome a local guest to discuss events and topics of interest to our little island town. For this week’s episode, host June Leffler spoke with Cindy Sweat, KSTK’s general manager. Cindy discussed the realities of the state budget cuts on the station. With state funding cut for all public media in Alaska, stations are now relying on just federal, local and private support. In one year, that meant a loss of $76,000 to the small station. Cuts have come down the pipe even before this year, Cindy says. Just five years ago, the state granted the station almost $140,000.
To lessen the blow, KSTK is dipping into its reserves this year, but Cindy says that isn’t a sustainable solution. KSTK staff and CoastAlaska leadership are figuring out what can be done to keep the small radio station afloat.
KSTK’s pledge drive is next week.
