As WKAR’s general manager, Turner oversees both its television and radio operations—unique for a "joint licensee" station, a designation given to fewer than 100 public broadcasters in the U.S. that operate both services under one umbrella.

"Sometimes you have stations that are just radio or just television, but one of the unique things about WKAR is we are one of fewer than 100 stations across the country that are joint licensees," Turner said.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Turner grew up with public media. "It was my window to the world," he said, describing how he wants to make sure it exists for future generations.

For WKAR, the executive order came as a disappointment.

"For decades, public media has been providing news and information to communities across the country," Turner said. "WKAR has been on the air here in mid-Michigan for over 100 years. Our reaction was one of disappointment but I can’t say that we were entirely surprised."

The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to stop both direct and indirect funding of PBS and NPR by June 30. It also requires the CPB to revise its 2025 funding criteria to ensure compliance with the directive, asserting that federal dollars should not support what the order calls, "biased and partisan news coverage."

Turner said the station has been anticipating an executive order to be signed. 

"Since the new administration came into office, there have been repeated attacks on public media and a strong desire to end funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting," he said.

Traditionally, Congress is responsible for appropriating funding for PBS and NPR, along with lesser-known public media organizations. Turner had hoped that instead of an executive order, they would face budgetary review from congress, which would enable public media organizations to make a case for their funding.

"Unfortunately, that did not happen, so we are looking at how we make adjustments to deal with the executive order," Turner said.

WKAR currently receives about $1.6 million annually from CPB through Community Service Grants—roughly 16% of its total budget. The loss of this funding, Turner warns, would have serious consequences.

"In public media, there is no replacement for federal funding," Turner said. "Our community is so absolutely amazing, and supporting WKAR through donations, but there just isn’t enough capacity in the community to make up that type of loss of funding."

Without federal support, Turner said the station’s operations and outreach efforts will inevitably be affected.

Some of the areas WKAR will reevaluate include its participation in live events and local programming. Specific offerings such as PBS children block PBS Kids, original local news programs and various music stations are at risk of being reduced or cut entirely if federal funding is lost.

"For decades, WKAR has had shows on the air, everything from ‘Quiz Busters’ to the old WKAR auction to shows like 'Curious Crew’," Turner said. "We will not be able to provide that same level of local programming without federal funding."

Turner said WKAR is working to maintain quality programming and a presence at live events but acknowledged that "we’ll need to tighten up our belt," meaning the station will likely have to pull back on some of its community efforts.

Despite the incoming cuts, Turner said WKAR remains dedicated to serving the community, as it has for the past 100 years, but will have to rely more heavily on local support to help navigate its uncertain future.