STATE COLLEGE, P.A. (KYW Newsradio) — After the loss of more than a million dollars in funding for public broadcasting in a rescission package passed by Congress earlier this year, Penn State announced it is shuttering its NPR-affiliate WPSU.
The radio and television station is the only source of public broadcasting for central and northern Pennsylvania.
Jeff Hughes, the former director of broadcasting at WPSU, said the station serves more than half a million households.
“Somebody referred to it as almost the size of New Jersey, so 24 counties,” he said.
Hughes, who worked at the station for 35 years, also worries about the record of stories that have been produced over the years.
"I almost don't even want to think about it,” he said. “I think about all the documentaries that have been produced. Where does that archive go, and who is going to come in to replace this service?"
The station’s closure also comes a week after a proposal to transfer ownership of WPSU to Philadelphia-based WHYY collapsed. Penn State’s board of trustees rejected the proposal.
Greg Petersen served as Chair of the Board of Representatives for WPSU, and said the university's decision shows a lack of leadership.
"Where's plan B? Where's plan C? You have a TV station that's been on the air since 1965. A radio station that's been on the air since 1953. It serves a large portion of central and northern Pennsylvania that has no other public media whatsoever," he said.
Petersen said there are pathways to save WPSU, but it depends on how the university plans to move forward.
Penn State's Board of Trustees said in part: "We know this is a deeply disappointing outcome and we are grateful to the dedicated WPSU employees whose work has enriched our lives and made our community stronger.”
The stations are expected to go dark before July of next year.