Lakeshore Public Media’s radio station WLPR 89.1 FM will simulcast WBAA News 101.3 FM beginning July 6, which the radio company said in a release will secure continued access to trusted public radio in Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area.
After federal funding cuts followed by last-minute funding cuts from the state in 2025, Lakeshore Public Media saw a 38% revenue loss. While many donors supported the station in the aftermath, the funding loss “has necessitated a reevaluation of operations,” according to the release.
“This simulcast represents a creative and collaborative solution to ensure public radio continues to serve our region,” said interim president and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media Nancy Clifford in the release.
“While the funding landscape has changed, our mission has not. Partnering with WBAA allows us to maintain essential services while exploring sustainable paths forward.”
Northwest Indiana listeners will still be able to tune into “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” during the simulcast while also being able to listen to “Fresh Air” and “Here & Now,” according to the release.
Listeners will be able to tune in to the same evening and weekend programming, including arts and cultural shows like “World Cafe” and “The Moth Radio Hour,” along with “Cultural Manifesto,” “Echoes of Indiana Avenue” and “The Night Shift,” according to the release.
WBBA’s listeners won’t experience changes to their signal, listening experience or program schedule, according to the release.
With an updated acknowledgement reflecting the partnership, WBBA’s underwriting and sponsorship messages will continue under standard noncommercial FCC guidelines. All existing sponsorships will be updated to include both stations, which will reach from Northwest Indiana and Lafayette, according to the release.
“This partnership reflects the kind of innovation and shared commitment that is essential to preserving public media in communities across Indiana,” WFYI/WBAA President and CEO Greg Petrowich said in the release.
“When WFYI assumed management of WBAA’s operations in 2022, we focused on building creative solutions that preserve service, expand reach and strengthen public radio for listeners across the state. We are bringing that experience into this new collaboration.”
Lakeshore Public Media and WBAA remain separate organizations while the simulcast has shared programming. Any future donations to either station would support their respective communities, according to the release.
“We still need our community,” Clifford said. “Listener support is essential to sustaining access to public media in Northwest Indiana and beyond. Together, we can ensure these services remain strong.”
In the final hours of the 2025 session, the Indiana legislature cut $380,000 from Lakeshore’s budget. Then, at the federal level, funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was cut in July 2025.
Congress approved about $9 billion in federal spending cuts in July 2025 requested by President Donald Trump, including deep reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid, moving forward on one of the president’s top priorities despite concerns from several Republican senators.
The legislation clawed back nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount it was due to receive during the next two budget years.
The corporation distributed more than 70% of the money to more than 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations, with much of the remainder assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service to support national programming.
Mark Newman, executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Inc., previously said that there was a “distinct possibility” that Indiana stations would shutter as a result of the federal funding cuts, especially when combined with the state legislature’s cut to public media funding, Newman said.
“This is a serious setback. All of our IPBS member stations – including Lakeshore – are directly impacted. While Congress may be targeting NPR and PBS in its defunding efforts, the true burden will fall on local stations. Seventy percent of federal public media funding goes directly to local stations,” Newman said.
Indiana Public Broadcasting stations, which reach 95% of the state, aim to ensure public safety, provide educational programming and foster civic and community connection, Newman said.
“Stations like Lakeshore will be forced to scale back services, and that means fewer resources for Hoosiers across the state,” Newman previously said. “Those in rural and underserved communities – who rely most on free, locally controlled media – will feel it the most.”
akukulka@post-trib.com
