UPDATED: Arkansas public television commission pauses state plan to break off from PBS

By: Tess Vrbin

Outlets: Arkansas Advocate

Published: March 12, 2026

Words: 1,423

Last Updated: 1 week, 1 day ago

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Arkansas’ public television commission voted Thursday to pause efforts to become the first state to cut ties with PBS after hearing almost two hours of frustrated public comments from opponents, including the head of the national network.

The 4-1 vote saw some PBS Commission members support the pause after voting in favor of forgoing PBS membership in December. The station had been preparing to disaffiliate from PBS on July 1.

Commissioner Anne Cowie was …

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