Lillian Crook

Bismarck

I read with dismay the reports that a Fargo legislator has introduced a bill in the 2025 ND session to zero out funding for Prairie Public. I have been listening to Prairie Public Radio and watching programs on Prairie Public TV since the day it launched, when I was a young and broke college student in western North Dakota.

When I was far away from home attending graduate school, my roommate and I would listen to Prairie Home Companion, back in the 1980s. I’ve watched countless public TV programs with my children, including Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Arthur, Magic School Bus, and more, back when I had an old Sears TV with rabbit ears and no cable.

We’ve watched programs from England, Ireland, Scotland, Russia, France, Italy, Greece, and….good old North Dakota. Not everyone can afford cable TV and the plethora of programs streaming for an add-on price. Couldn’t then, can’t now. And, yes, I am a monthly contributor to Prairie Public. We all should be.