State public radio listeners to lose Fairbanks reports

Homer residents who listen to public radio will hear no reporting from Fairbanks after July 1.

On Monday, public radio station KUAC-FM announced it is leaving the Alaska Public Radio Network due to the cost of the service and large budget cuts from the state.

KUAC is partially funded by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which gives money to the station each year. A statement on the station’s website says it is facing a deficit of more than $190,000, and ending its APRN membership will save about $35,000 per year.

Leaving the network means Alaskans across the state will no longer hear reports produced by Fairbanks radio reporters for Alaska News Nightly. In turn, ANN will stop airing in Fairbanks, replaced with national programming from National Public Radio.