KCRW Cuts 10% of Staff in Wake of Public Media Funding Cuts; DJs Jason Kramer, Jeremy Sole, José Galván Among Exits

In response to a significant budget shortfall following the Trump administration's decision to eliminate federal funding for public media, the Santa Monica-based NPR station KCRW has implemented a new round of staff reductions, cutting 10% of its workforce. This move, announced by KCRW President Jennifer Ferro in a letter to subscribers on Friday, is part of a broader organizational restructuring. Ferro explained the cuts were a difficult but necessary step to address the dual pressures of evolving media consumption habits and the loss of crucial federal dollars, aiming to secure the station's long-term stability.

The layoffs have claimed several prominent on-air personalities, including music DJs Jason Kramer, Jeremy Sole, and José Galván, who confirmed their departures on social media. Kramer, after 27 years with the station, expressed his deep connection to KCRW, while Galván lamented the end of a 14-year journey that fulfilled a childhood dream. Programming will also see a major shift, with Elvis Mitchell's long-running interview show, "The Treatment," being integrated into the "Weekend Edition" broadcast. This consolidation reflects a trend in public media where stations are streamlining operations to maintain core services with fewer resources.

The departing DJs shared heartfelt messages with their listeners. Jeremy Sole, who had been with KCRW for over 18 years, highlighted the honor of sharing music and breaking artists like Hiatus Kaiyote and Black Pumas, crediting his mentor Anne Litt for his start. "Public radio is facing an inflection point," said media analyst Dr. Evelyn Reed, a professor at USC's Annenberg School. "The withdrawal of federal support forces stations to make painful choices between their human capital and their operational survival, often at the cost of the unique local curation that defined them."

This is not the first time KCRW, which is owned by Santa Monica College and is one of Southern California's most influential public radio voices, has faced financial strain. Just last year, the station offered voluntary buyouts to tackle a $3 million budget deficit, leading to the departure of hosts like Anthony Valadez and the cancellation of the program "Greater LA." A previous, more severe round of cuts in 2020 saw 20% of the staff, approximately 24 people, lose their jobs due to pandemic-related budget shortfalls.

In her letter, Ferro sought to reassure the community, stating that despite the challenges, KCRW remains committed to its core mission. She pointed to a growing membership, sustained audience growth, and new initiatives like the recently launched app with dedicated music streams and popular new shows such as "The Sam Sanders Show." Ferro emphasized that the station's essence—fostering community connection and courageously addressing local issues—will endure as it navigates this new financial landscape.