The push in Congress to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting stations is already having a visible impact in the Bluegrass State.
In a short release July 17, Kentucky Educational Television announced it will eliminate planned coverage of the annual Fancy Farm political rally on Aug. 2 in Western Kentucky.
Federal funding provided to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been the “primary source of support for KET’s local productions and related services,” according to Executive Director and CEO Shae Hopkins.
“We are extremely disappointed to not be at Fancy Farm, an event we have covered for decades,” Hopkins said in an email. “The unofficial kickoff to the political season is an important tradition, and we have been pleased to share this iconic event with our statewide audience through the years.”
KET has also canceled a planned trip to Murray in September for a week to host the network’s “Kentucky Edition” and “Kentucky Tonight” programs, the release said.
The high-octane Fancy Farm political picnic and rally is held each summer in Graves County, near the southwestern tip of the state. It features speeches by political candidates and officials skewering opponents, with crowds on both sides of the aisle packing the audience to voice their opinions.
Still, the longtime bipartisan event has become more Republican-heavy in recent years, as Democrats have lost significant ground in the state.
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, the Democrats’ current leading candidate in the race for retiring U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s seat, each announced this week they do not plan to attend. Gov. Andy Beshear, the lone Democrat currently in an elected statewide office, has not yet announced his plans. As of July 17, the only Democrat confirmed as a speaker is John “Drew” Williams, who’s planning to run against U.S. Rep. James Comer.
Republicans, meanwhile, are expecting a full house. Three high-profile GOP candidate running to replace McConnell — U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Lexington businessman Nate Morris — are planning to speak, along with Comer and a number of other elected officials. McConnell has not said whether he plans to attend but has been a frequent sight in previous years.
More coverage: In bid to replace McConnell, donations flow to Barr while funds to Cameron slow
The bill that includes a funding cut to public broadcasting has not been passed into law but is currently advancing through Congress with the vocal backing of President Donald Trump, who’s vowed to withhold endorsements from any Republican who votes against the proposal.
The full bill, which includes a $9 billion cut in federal money for public broadcasting along with global health initiatives and other foreign aid programs, was approved in the U.S. Senate early July 17, with just two Republicans voting in opposition. Both of Kentucky’s members of the chamber, Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, voted in its favor. It now heads to the House for final passage.
Public broadcasting employees and advocates in the commonwealth have warned networks such as KET and the state’s NPR stations are vital to keeping residents of rural Kentucky informed in emergency situations and provide other important local news coverage. KET representatives have said CPB funding provides the station about $4.2 million each year, and the lone statewide broadcasting network serves more than 2 million people weekly.
In all, according to U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, public broadcasting television and radio stations in Kentucky receive a total of $11 million in CPB funding.
The KET release said the network expects to announce “more decisions to address the elimination of federal funding” in coming weeks.
Reporter Lillian Metzmeier contributed. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KET cancels Fancy Farm coverage as public media funding cuts advance