Dear friends:
Thank you for your continued support. Panhandle PBS is so much more than just another television station. Yes, we are a noncommercial, educational television station with programming for all ages that’s free to any and all in the Texas Panhandle. We are also a division of Amarillo College. In addition to creating and providing education resources for students and teachers grades K – 12, we teach tomorrow’s media students here at Amarillo College as well as students of AISD who attend Am Tech through internships and other hands-on learning opportunities. We often partner with Region 16, as well, to help train teachers. It’s no secret that education is at the heart of the mission of PBS.
You may not be aware of the role we play in public safety. When natural disasters, such as fires and weather emergencies occur, public safety messages travel through our broadcast towers.
We are also a nonprofit organization and community builder, working with numerous organizations throughout our region. Our community partners include: Amarillo Area Foundation; Amarillo Museum of Art; Panhandle Plains Historical Museum; Mary E. Bivins Foundation; Don Harrington Discovery Center; Turn Center; The Texas Panhandle War Memorial; Catholic Charities and so many more.
Education, Public Safety, and Community Connections: These are the things at risk if Panhandle PBS loses federal funding. As you’re likely aware, public media, including PBS, is currently being targeted for defunding at the national level, and we’re gearing up for the battle. “This is probably the most difficult and serious threat in the time that I have been in public broadcasting,” said Paula Kerger, PBS President and CEO when she appeared on PBS Newshour on April 29th. Watch the full interview here as Kerger discusses how proposed federal funding cuts would devastate local media stations, especially in rural areas, like the Texas Panhandle.
Listen to Lainey Wilson’s thoughts on PBS here. We would love to add your voice to the conversation because you can make a real difference. Please send us videos or letters about your favorite PBS shows and characters. We would love to hear (and share with our audience) the stories of how PBS has impacted your lives. Community support is essential to sustaining public media and our mission across the Texas Panhandle. According to Kerger, yours “are the voices I think legislators want to hear.”
As public media defunding in Washington becomes a possibility, we’re grateful to have such a passionate and engaged community coming to our support. Your voice advocating for our continued federal funding strengthens Panhandle PBS and helps us continue serving with trusted programming and educational resources. Please also share this message with your friends and family - because public media isn’t about politics; it’s about keeping communities strong, informed, and connected.
We are proud to serve all 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. We are grateful to have you as part of the Panhandle PBS family. Thank you for your time, your generosity, your commitment, and your belief in the power of local media.
Gratefully,
The Panhandle PBS Team
