July 9, 2025
KRPS (89.9 FM), the NPR station that has served this region for 37 years, is at risk of severly curtailing its operations if a vote next week to claw back previously approved funding is approved by the U.S. Senate.
Fred Fletcher-Fierro, KRPS general manager and a Webb City resident, says approximately one-third of the station’s annual budget comes from a Community Service Grant the the station receives from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting.
“If approved, Senate Bill H.R. 4 The Rescissions Act of 2025 would claw back previously approved Congressional funding for KRPS and hundreds of public television and radio stations,” says Fletcher-Fierro.
KRPS operates with four full-time employees.
“There’s been a lot of talk in the media about government efficiency and how well government dollars are spent,” he said. “At KRPS everyone wears multiple hats working to make the station the best it can be. If approved, the rescission would make operating the way it’s configured nearly impossible. Small, rural stations like KRPS need federal help.”
In addition to the grant from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, KRPS is supported by members who donate when pledge drives are held in the spring and fall.
The station is housed at Pittsburg State University and is supported by the Pittsburg State Foundation. Underwriters also contribute. And approximately $23,000 is received annually from the state of Kansas.
KRPS brings listeners the latest domestic and global news starting at 4 a.m. with NPR’s Morning Edition. The Kansas News Service and NPR member stations across Missouri are also sources of news. That’s in addition to local news and features produced by the KRPS newsroom. The station broadcasts 14 hours of live news weekdays.
Female veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will benefit from a $2,500 grant awarded to Charlie 22 Outdoors by Sparklight through its Charitable Giving Fund. The funding supports the nonprofit’s mission to help veterans heal from service-related stress and trauma.
Charlie 22 Outdoors used the grant to fund Reel Healing: Fishing for Women Veterans with PTSD, a therapeutic retreat offering participants a safe, supportive environment to build skills and emotional strength through outdoor experiences.
“Sparklight’s Charitable Giving Fund support is helping us bring healing and hope to women veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Scott Hettinger, Charlie 22 Outdoors executive director. “This is humbling and motivating at the same time. Through our retreat, these brave women find connection, encouragement and a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment – all made possible by Sparklight’s generous grant.”
“Sparklight is proud to support organizations like Charlie 22 Outdoors that help improve the lives of those who are often overlooked and underserved,” said Mike Drahota, Sparklight senior regional director. “Their efforts answer a critical gap in our community, and we’re honored to help amplify their valuable work through our Charitable Giving Fund.”
The company’s Charitable Giving Fund focuses on initiatives that create lasting, local impact, including education and digital literacy, hunger relief and community development. Since the Fund’s inception in 2020, Sparklight has awarded more than $1 million in grants to more than 250 nonprofits that make a difference in the lives of those they serve.
Nonprofit organizations may apply for a grant during open application periods each spring and fall. Applications for the fall 2025 cycle will be accepted October 1 – 31, 2025.
Alpha Delta Kappa Upsilon Chapter met June 17th at the Lion Club Academy in Joplin.
Hostesses were Nikki Tappana, Dyanne Dillon and Lizzy Dubois.
Annette Elam led the meeting, with seven members present. Ideas were shared on programs for next year.
The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 16 at Carolyn Clark’s home.
Members are asked to bring school supplies.
Hostesses will be Carolyn Clark, Janis Jackson and Penny Hoenshell.
The Webb City Sentinel isn’t a newspaper – but it used to be, serving Webb City, Missouri, in print from 1879-2020. This “newspaper” seeks to carry on that tradition as a nonprofit corporation.
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