Greetings friends! This is Lydia Tate with KWBU bringing you an update at the end of our financial year as we close our 2025-2026 budget.
Last year you did a remarkable thing. You saved KWBU from the brink of closure. The unthinkable happened in 2025 when two enormous sources of income were discontinued. KWBU was forced to rely solely on our listeners and their connections to keep the station alive.
For months, our staff didn’t know from one day to the next if the station could survive the blow of losing half our budgeted income so quickly. You heard the need and responded. Our Waco community was decisive in their response – you want to keep KWBU.
We went from the doors almost closing to the doors flinging wide open in one year. You contributed over $700,000 to this station in membership funds and another $120,000 in underwriting funds. KWBU will finish this year $85,000 positive – over the budget - in the black because of you. This is only possible when a great number of people realize that this resource, is too precious to lose.
All of us at the station are grateful – from volunteers to board members, staff to show hosts. Thank you from all of us. I know you’re grateful too. You’re grateful to still hear the news you trust, the music you love, and the voices that make you smile. And while the work is not done – KWBU will still have to fundraise year over year – we know that we have your support.
Exciting developments are coming from Waco Public Radio. We will be asking you this summer “Why do you KWBU?” and for your “I Heard it on KWBU” moments. We invite you to kick off the summer with us at Brotherwell Brewing every Friday night in June and July from 6-8pm and share your favorite KWBU moments with us – come hang out and have fun with the whole family. And of course we will see you at Waco Indie Festival in July. By August, you’ll hear from us on all sorts of new happenings with the station as we gear up for the Fall.
Again, thank you for taking decisive action last year to keep KWBU on the air and growing. We are honored to serve this community and know you’ve put a lot of trust in this station. We are your Waco Public Radio- here for you, supported by you, sustained by you – everyday. You’re listening to 103.3 KWBU Waco Public Radio.