University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Public News/Talk 89.3 KCUR Kansas City and “91.9 Classical KC” KWJC Liberty MO are the most recent public media properties to undergo cuts.
General Manager Sarah Morris said the stations would see a reduction in staffing, primarily at KWJC, with additional cutbacks in non-essential travel, professional development, and non-essential supplies. In parts of a memo shared by the station, she said, “Unfortunately, despite strategic investments in local programming and expansion efforts at our sister station, financial headwinds facing many of us in public media have forced us to make some very difficult decisions. We remain a steadfast champion of the arts and classical music in Kansas City.”
Morris continued, “These were difficult decisions to make, but reducing the size of our overall operation as we seek new ways to grow listenership and revenue will allow us to focus resources on our highest priority: providing free, high-quality journalism for our community.”
KCUR Audience Editor Gabe Rosenberg tweeted that four staff members have been laid off and other open positions will remain vacant. He also shared that KWJC “will pause locally created and produced programming and focus on national programming from syndicated services.” He said that KWJC will lose its Director, Community Engagement Producer/host, and part-time assistant producer, and a graphic designer for the pair of stations. The stations will also not fill vacant reporter and Classical producer positions.
KWJC debuted its Classical programming in July 2020 following the closing of its $2 million purchase of the station from William Jewell College.
