Funding Reductions Drive WITF Layoffs In Harrisburg

These days, there's no fighting over parking spaces at WITF's headquarters in Swatara Twp. outside of Harrisburg, PA.  Dozens of empty slots greet visitors and staff.

The decline in vehicles outside the building is mirrored by staff reductions inside, which have been ongoing almost since the public broadcaster moved into its hilltop complex four years ago.

According to a story by David N. Dunkle at The Patriot News in Harrisburg, PA, a recent round of layoffs, the third in less than three years, will cut 20 percent of the staff, including two of WITF's better-known radio personalities. On the television side, the number of episodes of the locally produced "Smart Talk" show is expected to decline from 30 to as few as four to 12 next season.

Patriot-News photo

"That's probably the biggest visible impact," WITF President and CEO Kathleen Pavelko said of the "Smart Talk" cutbacks. "I truly believe we've kept the audible and visible impacts of this to a minimum."

The gaps are starting to appear in WITF's on-air programming, thanks to a $600,000 budget shortfall and a business model based on state and federal government support that is evaporating. State funding of about $900,000 a year was eliminated two years ago. Federal aid is expected to fall from $1.3 million to $650,000 in the coming year.

Pavelko said WITF plans to continue broadcasting signature PBS programs such as "Nova" and "The News Hour," as well as NPR shows like "All Things Considered."

Among the 18 employees who learned last week that they were losing their jobs are Craig Cohen, who has hosted "Radio Smart Talk" since the show started in 2008, and Melanie Herschorn, who has been the local reporter for "All Things Considered" for the last three years.

The other layoffs, which will drop the number of full-time employees from 85 to 67, are spread through the operation, including technology and development divisions.

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