RIPBS blindsided by possible cuts

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - With a raft of funding cuts and a chunk of tax increases, many would like to turn off the idea of Gov. Lincoln Chafee's budget proposal from this week. But Rhode Island PBS's president and CEO says the idea their funding would be cut -- entirely -- was not only breaking news, it was unexpected.

The RIPBS chief, David Piccerelli, told WPRI.com reporter Ted Nesi the public television station is already cut to the bone. "We'd look at doing things differently... It's obviously something I'm going to have to look at and prepare for."

Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger told Nesi, "tough times require tough choices... Everyone still has access to WGBH Channel 2 in Boston."

WGBH and its sister station WGBX (channel 44) are both featured on local Verizon Fios cable television services, while WGBH is on Cox cable. Both stations' over-the-air signals reach Rhode Island.

Read Ted Nesi's blog entry for more in-depth coverage.