New group aims to keep PBS programming in Arkansas [View all]

2/16/2026

Friends of Arkansas PBS, a newly formed, citizen-led group that hopes to preserve programming from the national Public Broadcasting Service in Arkansas, is hosting its first talk on Thursday.

Former Arkansas First Ladies Barbara Pryor and Gay White will serve as honorary co-chairs and are urging people to join, according to a press release shared on Monday.

“It was deeply disappointing to see that Arkansas is disaffiliating with Public Broadcasting Service,” White, the widow of former Gov. Frank White, said. “I completely understand not being able to make ends meet. What I do not understand is in a state with the resources we have, both in money and bright minds, we are unable to solve this problem. We know the state has surplus funds that could be used to supplement the loss of national funding. And I, as a financial supporter of PBS, am more than willing to increase my pledge. I know I’m not alone. Surely we can figure this out.”

Barbara Pryor, the widow of former Gov. David Pryor, said, “David was honored to be asked by President George W. Bush to serve on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s board. He would be devastated to know that PBS in Arkansas is in jeopardy. I ask everyone who has ever enjoyed PBS programming to join the Friends of Arkansas PBS and let the commissioners know that we disagree with their recent vote.”

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https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2026/02/16/new-group-aims-to-keep-pbs-programming-in-arkansas