General Manager and CEO Stacey Decker reflects on a year of challenges, growth and innovation.
As we reflect on the past fiscal year, I am grateful for the trust Nebraskans continue to place in Nebraska Public Media. Together, we have navigated significant change while continuing to strengthen and expand the public media services that Nebraskans count on every day.
The loss of nearly $4 million in federal funding challenged us to think differently. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our members and supporters, we closed more than 85 percent of that gap while growing our membership by 16 percent to more than 35,000 members. This remarkable support demonstrates that Nebraskans believe in the value of local public media.
Even during uncertainty, we continued investing in what matters most. We strengthened our news and digital services, advanced critical technology upgrades and added radio service in Omaha.
We also reinforced our longstanding commitment to public safety by partnering with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency on a statewide nuclear preparedness workshop. It was just one example of the many ways we remain ready to serve our communities when it matters most.
As new technologies such as artificial intelligence reshape our industry and our country, we are embracing innovation responsibly while protecting the trust and editorial integrity that have always defined our work.
Together, we will build what’s next, ensuring Nebraska Public Media continues to entertain, educate and strengthen communities across our state.
Did you know?
Nebraska Public Media is the primary relay for the state of Nebraska: when a federal emergency alert or state Amber Alert is issued, we send the signal from our network to all other TV and radio stations in Nebraska.
Our growing public media community reached a record-breaking number: 35,527 members as of June 2026!
The past fiscal year brought significant challenges & inspiring reminders of the strength of public media.
Like stations across the country, Nebraska Public Media lost longstanding federal funding. The nearly $4 million reduction underscored the importance of building a sustainable future for the services Nebraskans rely on every day.
Yet amid the uncertainty, something remarkable happened.
In record numbers, Nebraskans stepped forward with support. Thousands of people renewed their memberships, made first-time gifts or increased their giving – all while sharing stories about why public media matters in their lives. The response was immediate, generous and deeply encouraging.
These investments are doing more than replacing lost federal dollars. They are helping Nebraska Public Media build what’s next.
Member support fuels trusted journalism, lifelong learning, local storytelling and educational resources that reach every corner of our state. It allows us to continue innovating, strengthening community connections and investing in new ways to serve audiences on air, online, in digital spaces and in person.
Public media is built on a partnership with the communities we serve. The past 12 months reaffirmed that partnership in powerful ways. When faced with uncertainty, Nebraskans responded not by stepping back, but by stepping forward.
Together, we are creating a stronger foundation for the future, ensuring that Nebraska Public Media remains an essential resource for generations to come.