A note from our chief content officer: 'It's go time'

When a devastating five-alarm fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River claimed 10 lives and injured at least 30 people, WBUR was on the scene during those critical early hours. The Fall River fire chief called the event "generational," underscoring its profound impact. Since then, WBUR has published a dozen stories, exploring the fire's origins, the rescue challenges faced by residents with mobility issues, concerns about a firefighter shortage and the state's new safety mandates for all 273 assisted living facilities in Massachusetts.

The power of our journalism is that it doesn't just recount what happened, it provides context and reveals new insights. Our coverage is broad and deep — everything from that Fall River fire to affordable housing struggles, aging transit and the lighter stories that enrich daily life, like taking urban hikes, going whale-watching and finding Boston's best ice cream shops.

I've been a journalist for more than 25 years. For the last five years, I've been lucky enough to call WBUR and Massachusetts home. I'm totally committed to this region. I never thought I'd become a Celtics partial season ticket-holder or that I'd strongly prefer Dunkin' over Starbucks, having moved here from Seattle.

For more than 75 years, WBUR has been a trusted source and a community touchstone. That's possible thanks to you. Your donations enable us to thrive and to cover what's happening around the corner and across the country. We prioritize stories that deepen understanding of our world. There are millions of people in the WBUR community — across the region and around the world — who turn to us on their radio dials, podcasts, apps, newsletters, social media feeds and at live events.

Despite this reach and commitment, our future is uncertain.

A Critical Time for Public Media

Earlier this month, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced it will begin to wind down operations after President Trump signed a law clawing back $1.1 billion in funding for public broadcasting. While WBUR relies less on federal funds than many of our public media colleagues — about 3% of our annual budget (roughly $1.6 million) came from the CPB — it's still a blow.

And it's not just the direct dollars that are a cause for concern. These cuts threaten the entire public media network. Stations nationwide will have to make tough choices, like whether they can afford to keep paying for WBUR's nationally syndicated shows, On Point and Here & Now. Those syndication dollars help us pay for all our high-quality journalism.

WBUR is fueled by people like you who donate, and we're going to need to rely even more on those who rely on us. As you know, our margins are thin. The loss of federal funding will likely force painful cuts that would diminish our coverage.

Your Support Is Critical

We need you to help us fill the gap. Our work is only possible with your support. Most of our operating budget comes from Members who donate — yet only 9% of our audience gives. That means 91% of the people who rely on WBUR do not contribute financially. Imagine what we could accomplish if more people stood with us.

It's go time. Your investment in our work is critical. If WBUR is a trusted source for you — whether you revel in reading WBUR Today when it hits your inbox, rely on our online Voter Guide before casting your ballot or follow the Field Guide to Boston to discover cool new places — now is the time to step up.

Despite recent setbacks, we're not defeated — we're determined. My WBUR colleagues and I remain committed to delivering high-quality coverage for you and everyone in Boston and beyond.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for supporting WBUR.