A Message From KRCL's Executive Director

  • February 6, 2025
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Dear Listeners,

We know the start of the new year, the administration in Washington, and the Utah legislative session have been challenging for many of our supporters and volunteers. I am worried about the impacts on so many different communities including refugees losing protection, trans and other LGBTQ+ folks under attack, even career government professionals losing their livelihoods. The normalization of hate speech and rise of neo-nazis mixed with widespread attacks on diversity and inclusion are truly shocking. From symbolic changes like the NFL removing “End Racism” slogans from the end zones ahead of the Super Bowl, to very tangible ones like Elon Musk taking over federal funding infrastructure, we’ve seen one hard to believe headline after another.

Sadly facts, themselves, are under attack. History curriculum, academic freedom at universities, and freedom of the press are all at risk. The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr came out swinging last week, targeting NPR and PBS directly with investigations and asserting, “I do not see a reason why Congress should continue sending taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS.” The Corporation for Public Broadcasting was founded in the sixties and has faced attacks for many years, but this feels different. Though we are not affiliated with NPR, KRCL members are asking me routinely if I’m worried about the station’s finances or our future as a broadcast outlet.

At KRCL we rely on support from local listeners, local businesses, and local foundations. The vast majority of our budget is locally sourced. Cuts to CPB could impact up to 10% of our current budget, but it’s important to remember that Listeners Community Radio of Utah thrived for many years before ever receiving a penny of federal support. And our staff and board are confident, not only because we have operational reserves, but because our listeners have such a strong track record of contributing in support of music discovery, community connection, and diverse voices. We just received unaudited financials from 2024 showing we outraised our budget goals and earned more than we spent. That’s thanks to great programming and truly impressive community support.

We are a small nonprofit, and we treat our employees well. Volunteers have few limitations on what they can say and play. Approximately 100 local bands perform live on our airwaves each year and about 1000 guests from all walks of life share their viewpoints in our programming annually. We are independent media, powered by the people, for the people. Local volunteers serve on our board of directors. All of us bring our passion, heart and soul to this radio station and together we serve the educational mission the rebels and visionaries who created this place dreamt of.

The news can feel overwhelming, and not everyone has the courage to speak out like Ashley Downs did at the Capitol yesterday. I experienced a classic driveway moment when I got home last night and couldn’t get out of the car. On our award-winning nightly program Radioactive, Lara Jones aired audio from Ashley’s impromptu speech at yesterday’s rally, and then interviewed her live in studio about why she attended her first ever rally and spoke so bravely in front of hundreds of strangers. KRCL inspires me every single day. Our team will continue to be here for you… making good trouble, passing the mic to those whose voices deserve amplification, and lifting spirits with great music.

Stay Tuned. Protect Public Media.
Be an ally to your neighbor.

- Gavin Dahl
KRCL Executive Director / General Manager 

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