WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.
Federal Funding Cuts Threaten Lifeline of Tribal Radio Stations in Rural America
A public radio station in Kotzebue, Alaska, serves a vast, roadless region larger than Indiana, where communities rely on planes and seasonal ice trails for travel. The station provides critical, sometimes life-saving information, including search-and-rescue alerts, weather updates and warnings about unsafe ice conditions. News director Desiree Hagen said the station is “super crucial,” noting that without federal funding it could be reduced to automated broadcasts with no local news or community coverage.
The threat stems from a Republican-backed law that eliminated federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which dissolved earlier this year. The CPB had supported rural and tribal stations that often serve as the only news source in remote areas. While some lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), secured about $10 million in temporary funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, that support is not guaranteed beyond the 2026 fiscal year. Advocates warn that without sustained funding, many stations could shut down.
According to Native Public Media, dozens of tribal radio stations have already been heavily impacted, with many relying on federal funding for most of their operations. A survey found that most could close within a year without additional support, leading to widespread layoffs and loss of essential services. Leaders warn of a “cascade of closures” across Indian Country, as stations that provide emergency alerts, election information and Native language programming struggle to survive.
$3 Million in Federal Funds Awarded for Tribal, Rural Transportation Projects in Northern California
U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), along with Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), announced more than $3 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support rural and tribal transportation projects in Smith River and Annapolis, California. The funding comes through the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program and targets safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades in underserved communities.
The largest portion—about $2.5 million—will support the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation’s efforts to advance the design and engineering of a long-planned pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 101 near Smith River. An additional $541,130 will fund planning and safety improvements at Stewarts Point Rancheria in Annapolis, including efforts to address traffic concerns and enhance roadway safety.
Lawmakers said the investment reflects a broader commitment to improving aging infrastructure, increasing public safety and expanding economic opportunity in rural and tribal areas. They emphasized that the projects will help better connect communities while addressing long-standing transportation challenges.
