Bethel, Alaska's public radio program, River Watch, plays a vital role in informing residents about ice conditions on the Kuskokwim River, crucial for safe travel. As communication access is limited in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, local radios serve as lifelines, especially during hazardous seasons. However, recent moves by the Trump administration threaten these services by proposing significant cuts to federal funding for public broadcasting. This has sparked lawsuits, raising concerns over the potential loss of crucial community programs like River Watch that impact public safety and access to vital information.
"There is no trail right now. None of the open water is marked. So it's advised not to be traveling back and forth from Aniak."
"The Kuskokwim River in this region is like our highway, said KYUK news director Sage Smiley. Knowing the condition of the ice can be a matter of life and death."
"River Watch is a staple of its programming. In dozens of Southwest Alaska villages, residents who live far from the U.S. highway system rely on boats and snow machines."
"If the Trump administration gets its way, programs like River Watch could soon disappear... the administration outlined a plan to eliminate funding for CPB entirely."
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