KWSO 91.9, the community radio station serving the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and surrounding Central Oregon communities, is embarking on a strategic planning effort to secure its future after the elimination of federal funding for public media.
The station lost its Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) funding in 2025 when Congress eliminated federal support for public media, a move that sent shockwaves through small and tribal radio stations across the country that depend on CPB grants for operational stability. For KWSO — one of the few Native-owned and operated radio stations in the Pacific Northwest — the loss was significant.
Community and Tribe Rally to Support the Station
The financial blow was softened by several sources of emergency support. Individual donors and foundations stepped up with contributions in the wake of the CPB cuts. The Bureau of Indian Affairs provided one-time funding specifically directed at tribal radio stations that lost CPB support. And the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs themselves recommitted to funding KWSO's ongoing operations — a vote of confidence from the tribal government in the station's mission.
"With the elimination of federal funding for public media and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 2025, there was tremendous financial support that came to us from individual donors and foundations," the station noted in a public announcement about the strategic planning effort.
A National Partnership to Build Sustainability
To develop a roadmap forward, KWSO has partnered with Local News Catalyst, a national initiative of Public Media Company that specializes in helping small and under-resourced local public media organizations strengthen their operations and build financial sustainability.
As part of the planning process, KWSO is asking listeners and community members to complete a short survey. The station wants to hear from anyone who listens to or connects with KWSO — on the air, online, or through community events. Feedback from the survey will directly guide the station's strategic decisions about programming, outreach, and new revenue streams.
The survey is available online through KWSO's website at kwso.org.
Why KWSO Matters to Jefferson County
KWSO serves as far more than a music outlet. The station broadcasts emergency alerts, weather information, tribal government news, cultural programming, and coverage of issues affecting Warm Springs residents — many of whom live in areas with limited access to other news sources. The station also serves as a cultural bridge for tribal language and storytelling traditions.
For Jefferson County communities bordering the Warm Springs Reservation — including Madras, Metolius, and Culver — KWSO is a critical part of the regional media landscape. Its continued operation matters not just to reservation residents, but to the entire county's information ecosystem.
Community members interested in supporting KWSO or completing the listener survey can find more information at kwso.org.