In central Washington, the Yakima Valley stretches out as one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country. Apples, cherries, hops, and wine grapes define the economy, and much of the work is done by Latino farmworkers who have built their lives in the valley\u2019s small towns. For tens of thousands of those families, Radio KDNA has been more than a station on the dial. It has been a companion in the fields, a trusted voice during wildfire evacuations, and one of the few places where Spanish is the language of news and power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That voice is now under threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this summer, the federal government cut more than one billion dollars from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. With CPB shut down, hundreds of local stations across the country are scrambling to survive. KDNA relied on that funding for between 30 and 50 percent of its annual budget. Losing it could mean staff cuts, reduced programming, and silence when the community most needs information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The station is based in Granger, a town of about 4,000 people surrounded by orchards and farmland. From there, its signal reaches deep into the valley. Most of its listeners are farmworkers and their families, many of them immigrants from Mexico and Central America. KDNA has long been a bridge between those communities and the broader resources of the region. During the pandemic, it explained in Spanish where to find vaccines and food assistance. In wildfire season, live DJs break in to announce evacuation routes. On ordinary days, it plays music while weaving in programming on workers\u2019 rights, health care, and education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elizabeth Torres, director of operations at KDNA, told Latino News Network that the federal cuts strike at the heart of what makes the station essential. \u201cThe current presidential administration has removed all Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. This funding represents approximately 30 to 50 percent of our annual budget, and its loss will significantly impact our operations, particularly around staffing. This funding has enabled us to provide critical information to our listeners on Radio KDNA. The loss of these funds has had and will continue to have a devastating impact on our work.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even as the station braces for layoffs and restructuring, Torres stressed that the mission will not change. \u201cWhile this is a difficult transition, our commitment to serving the community with trusted, local, and culturally relevant programming remains strong. To move forward, we will be implementing adjustments to our staffing structure, exploring new funding opportunities, and working closely with community partners and supporters to sustain our mission,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Torres, the crisis is also a chance to strengthen ties with the people who rely on the station. \u201cWe know this change will not be easy, but it also presents an opportunity to strengthen our independence, expand community support, and ensure that the voices and stories of our region continue to be heard. With the continued dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, and listeners, we will adapt and move forward together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Supporters fear what will happen if the station cannot make that transition. Yakima\u2019s Latino community already faces barriers to health care, housing, and legal help. Radio has been one of the few tools to close those gaps. If KDNA goes silent or shrinks its role, those barriers will grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The station is now looking for alternatives, from private fundraising and nonprofit partnerships to support from state and local governments. But the hole left by federal funding is significant. Without new solutions, one of the valley\u2019s most reliable voices could be silenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For listeners, that silence would not just mean the loss of a station. It would mean the loss of a guide through emergencies, a cultural anchor, and a reminder that their voices matter in the place they call home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cover photo: The exterior of Radio KDNA\u2019s studio building in Granger, Washington. Credit: Radio KDNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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