We’re Here to Inform, Include, and Inspire You
Feb 25, 2025
I feel fortunate that I consistently wake up excited about the work I do and the amazing people I get to work alongside. Minnesota Public Radio is a magical collection of smart, creative, principled and civic-minded people. From the voices and personalities you know to the those who make it possible for you to hear them – whether they’re running audio boards, building websites, raising funds or making sure we have the kinds of benefits that attract and retain talent – they are all part of what makes what we do possible. And what we do is essential to the health and vitality of our state.
I became a Leadership Circle member long before I ever imagined I’d work here because I recognized the quality of the work done at MPR, its impact on the quality of my life and, more importantly, the impact it has on the region. MPR played a key role in helping me understand and fall in love with Minnesota. And I know I’m not the only one.
As an MPR member, you should take pride in your support of MPR. The newsroom you fund is the second largest news team in the state and has been covering the entire state for decades. And the work that newsroom does is not just some of the best journalism in Minnesota, it’s some of the best work being done in the country. They’re skilled enough to tackle hard topics in sophisticated ways that make it possible for our listeners to lean in, stay in and be transformed. And they regularly feather in stories about fun, interesting things that make life here more enjoyable.
The staff at The Current have spent the last two decades vibing off and shaping the Minnesota music scene. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, it’s a good time to take stock of what thoughtful music curation by local, knowledgeable programmers, hosts and producers means to Minnesota and the music world at large. And YourClassical is leading the way locally and nationally on introducing audiences to music that’s in the canon as well as to music that stirs the heart and is unlikely to be found elsewhere. Life would be far less rewarding without good music and our ability to serve such a wide range of musical tastes would not be possible without your support.
As you would imagine, I consume a lot of our content, and I can’t stay on top of all the great work we’re doing. So, I thought I’d dedicate some space in this column to some of the things that recently resonated with me, and that I think you’ll particularly enjoy. If you missed these recent gems, I’d highly recommend circling back for them. And remember, your support brought them to life:
Reporter’s notebook: Minneapolis police, Black men find common ground in Alabama’s past
‘Motherpuckers’ teach women’s hockey with joy and inclusion, and a little irreverence
Amplifying 20 years of our music community by celebrating each year in music since 2005
Spotlighting local events and music festivals across the region
Uncovering new local talent through The Local Show and our monthly scouting report
Threats to crucial funding
I imagine you’ve heard some of the buzz around potential cuts to funding for public media. MPR receives about 6% of our budget from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the vehicle the federal government created to fund public media. A significant portion of those funds go to support our crucial role in providing the Emergency Alert System, a statewide emergency service.
The new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) intends to eliminate CPB funding.
American Public Media distributes content to public radio stations nationwide, including Marketplace, YourClassical (did you know we are the largest producer and distributor of classical music nationwide?), the Splendid Table, and the Slowdown. If the federal government eliminates CPB funding, some stations may have to drop our programming, and the ripple effect will lead to great difficulty producing our high-quality content you rely on.
I’ve recently joined the board of the Station Resource Group, a coalition of public media stations. I will be working with colleagues and stations across the country to mobilize support for CPB and all public media funding in general.
Your voice always matters
As ever, I am grateful for the ways you, our listeners and members, rise to the challenge. We will need you more than ever. Please join me in raising your voice to support public media, here and everywhere. We’re counting on you.
In gratitude,
Duchesne Drew
President, Minnesota Public Radio
About Duchesne Drew
Duchesne Drew is Senior Vice President of American Public Media Group and President of Minnesota Public Radio. In this role, he leads the teams that produce MPR News, The Current, APM Reports and Marketplace. Additionally, he oversees YourClassical MPR as a part of Minnesota Public Radio.