Company Directory - Blue Ridge Public Radio
Company Details - Blue Ridge Public Radio

Blue Ridge Public Radio
WebsiteAsheville, United States
Blue Ridge Public Radio is a public radio station in the United States that provides a variety of news and music programming to its listeners. It serves the Western North Carolina region, delivering local news, public affairs, and cultural programming, along with national news from NPR and other sources.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Blue Ridge Public Radio
53.42
1.32%
Latest Event
Blue Ridge Public Radio Hires Fired Reporter Amid Labor Rights Battle
After being terminated by The Washington Post for her public criticism of the paper's policies, former reporter Felicia Sonmez has been hired by Blue Ridge Public Radio. Her employment comes as the National Labor Relations Board seeks her reinstatement and back pay, highlighting broader issues of labor rights and repressive workplace practices.
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LEADER
Blue Ridge Public Radio is currently rated as a Leader.
Latest Events
- JUN102025
After being terminated by The Washington Post for her public criticism of the paper's policies, former reporter Felicia Sonmez has been hired by Blue Ridge Public Radio. Her employment comes as the National Labor Relations Board seeks her reinstatement and back pay, highlighting broader issues of labor rights and repressive workplace practices.
- JUN022025
Amid President Trump's executive order eliminating federal funds for public broadcasting, Blue Ridge Public Radio faces a 10% revenue loss, endangering its emergency news operations and local coverage. CEO Ele Ellis warned that the organization’s future is at stake, urging listeners to contribute to help sustain critical public media services in Western North Carolina.
+50
Public and Political Behavior
June 10
Blue Ridge Public Radio is actively appealing to its local audience in defense of independent news services at a time when federal policy cuts—widely viewed as politically motivated by the Trump administration—threaten public media. This public stand supports democratic discourse and resists authoritarian financial pressure.
Trump's Public Radio Cuts Could Mean Calamity for Local Outlets
+30
Economic and Structural Influence
June 10
The funding cut exposes Blue Ridge Public Radio to significant economic vulnerability, reflecting the broader structural risks imposed by politically motivated policies. The station's efforts to counteract this cut and sustain its operations underline a commitment to maintaining economic and democratic resilience in the face of authoritarian influences.
Trump's Public Radio Cuts Could Mean Calamity for Local Outlets
- MAY132025
Following President Trump's executive order to block federal funding to NPR and PBS, Blue Ridge Public Radio initiated a fundraising drive to compensate for a potential $300,000 loss—roughly 8% of its budget. The station, which played a vital role during Tropical Storm Helene by providing emergency updates, underscored its commitment to unbiased, community-focused public service in the face of political interference.
+70
Public and Political Behavior
June 10
Blue Ridge Public Radio's proactive response to an executive order perceived as authoritarian—by mobilizing community support through a fundraising drive—demonstrates a strong commitment to democratic values and public service. This action contrasts with politically motivated attempts to suppress public media funding and reinforces the station's role as a critical provider of unbiased information during emergencies.
Trump order targeting public media could hurt Asheville BPR radio
- MAY052025
Blue Ridge Public Radio faces a potential $300,000 federal funding cut following President Trump's executive order to defund NPR and PBS. In response, the station has initiated a fundraising drive to secure local support and sustain its operations, underlining its commitment to independent local journalism and community service.
+40
Public and Political Behavior
June 10
The station's proactive fundraising drive in response to an authoritarian policy—exemplified by President Trump's executive order to cut federal funding—demonstrates its resistance to policies undermining independent media and local journalism. This action supports community resilience and independent reporting, aligning with anti-authoritarian principles.
Blue Ridge Public Radio at risk of losing $300,000 as federal cuts loom
- MAY042025
In the wake of Hurricane Helene and amid Trump’s executive order to cut federal support for NPR and PBS, Blue Ridge Public Radio has played a crucial role in providing emergency information and updates to communities in Western North Carolina. This event highlights the station's vital contribution to public safety and community resilience despite facing potential financial hardships due to political decisions.
+60
Public and Political Behavior
June 10
Blue Ridge Public Radio’s rapid and reliable emergency broadcasts during a time of crisis have strengthened community resilience and provided essential life-saving information, aligning with anti-fascist values by supporting marginalized communities. This service stands in stark contrast to the politically motivated funding cuts aimed at suppressing independent public media.
+40
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
June 10
Despite facing uncertain financial prospects due to politically driven funding cuts, Blue Ridge Public Radio demonstrates strong ethical responsibility by continuing to deliver unbiased, essential news programming. Its commitment to public service reinforces its role as a community asset and a bulwark against authoritarian efforts to curtail public discourse.
- APR222025
Blue Ridge Public Radio has initiated an emergency fundraising campaign to counteract impending federal funding cuts amounting to approximately $300,000. The article highlights the broader threat to public broadcasting and local journalism, particularly for underserved communities facing news deserts, following federal actions that appear to destabilize independent media.
+60
Public and Political Behavior
June 10
BPR's emergency fundraising drive is a proactive measure to safeguard independent journalism and ensure continued service to marginalized communities. This action resists federal efforts that appear aimed at destabilizing public media, reflecting a positive stance in supporting democratic values and press freedom.
As federal funding cuts loom, the future of BPR is on the line
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