South Dakota Democrats Stand With SDPB

For Immediate Release

August 21, 2025

Sioux Falls, SD -- The announcement that South Dakota Public Broadcasting is cutting 25% of its staff due to federal funding cuts is a huge blow to our state. Donald Trump and South Dakota's Republican members of Congress are ripping away critical services that thousands of people rely on.

• SDPB provides emergency alert systems across South Dakota. This is especially important for our rural areas when severe weather hits.

• They live stream high school sports that families rely on to watch their children and grandchildren play in other cities.

• SDPB provides live audio and video from the South Dakota Legislature. This creates transparency within our government and allows people across the state to stay informed.

• Their journalists deliver trusted news coverage, especially in rural areas of South Dakota that may not receive other broadcast signals.

• SDPB provides educational programming that are used in schools across the state.

This isn't about reigning in federal spending, this is a direct attack on the public's access to reliable information. The South Dakota Democratic Party stands with the incredible work that SDPB and its employees have done for decades to inform the public and keep South Dakotans safe.

"Our members of Congress turned their backs on South Dakota Public Broadcasting and have forgotten who they serve," said District 15 Rep. Erik Muckey. "This past session, state legislators on both sides of the aisle agreed: SDPB is necessary for the good of our state. These cuts were 100% preventable, and if there is any reduction of SDPB programming that South Dakotans know and love, you know who to blame: Sen. Thune, Sen. Rounds, and Rep. Johnson." 

For questions, please contact Dan Ahlers, Executive Director of the SD Democratic Party at dan@sddp.org or 605-940-3071.

Paid for by the South Dakota Democratic Party | www.sddp.org