There really are situations in life beyond our control.
Seven months ago, Nevada Public Radio was on the brink of closure, due to some $2 million in undisclosed debt.
After months of forensic auditing, nothing criminal was found. It was just poor management.
Since then, 20 percent of the station’s staff is gone; that includes the CEO and business manager. Budgets have been cut in all areas.
It’s almost an understatement to say a big part of the reason KNPR today can say it is debt-free is due to the outpouring of support from individual listeners and corporate supporters last fall.
Then, as we all know, the coronavirus hit.
And as people are losing jobs and incomes, KNPR is going to begin its next pledge drive on Tuesday.
"We're not going to go out with a full membership campaign," interim CEO Jerry Nadal said, "But we do want people to know that we do need money in order to stay on the air and we'll do whatever it takes to do that."
Nadal said the station will ask people to donate what they can - if they can. He said the station is still getting corporate support and support from challenge sponsors.
He believes that people understand Nevada Public Radio is an essential service, especially right now.
"We want to make sure we're bringing people absolutely the most factual information about what's going on from a coronavirus standpoint. How it impacts businesses here in the state," Nadal said.
He said that the station wants to continue to provide valuable information.
Jerry Nadal, interim CEO, Nevada Public Radio