NPR White House correspondent speaks at KRCU fundraiser

Scott Horsley, who covers the president for National Public Radio, says he's still waiting for a slow news day at the White House.

Horsley spoke to supporters of local NPR affiliate KRCU during a fundraising breakfast Thursday at the Wehking Alumni Center at Southeast Missouri State University.

The station's spring membership drive is underway just as the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to defund NPR, a move that could cut the local station's budget by 23 percent.

"NPR has been in the news lately more than they've hoped," said Dr. Ken Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University. "We need your support and help more than in the past to ensure KRCU stays on the air with 24-hour service."

KRCU receives about $115,000 annually through a Corporation for Public Broadcasting radio community service grant. House Resolution 1, a continuing appropriations act, includes no money for the grant program, which now provides $84 million each year.

With federal legislators embattled in a budget debate, Horsley said the nation needs the type of coverage NPR provides now more than ever. He covered Sen. John McCain's bid for the presidency in 2008 before becoming NPR's White House correspondent.

"You listen to what somebody tells you with sincere interest and curiosity, then you verify it. You look at the books or consult another source to provide some context," Horsley said.

He shared stories about attending daily briefings at the White House and following President Barack Obama's response in both the war underway in Libya and the nuclear crisis in Japan.

NPR has 17 overseas bureaus, more than any other news organization, Horsley said. NPR also relies on its member stations, like KRCU, to provide strong news coverage, he said.

"These local reporters serve as the eyes and ears for our national audience and at the same time playing an important role for their local listeners," Horsley said.

KRCU general manager Dan Woods said with or without decreased federal funding, the station will remain on the air providing the best service possible with the resources it has. Federal funding is "critical" to small NPR stations like KRCU, he said, and losing it may affect programming at the station.

"We've cut and cut and cut back as much as we can, but there are some things we just have to do to stay on the air," Woods said.

The cost to operate the station is $60 per hour, he said.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.krcu.org or call 888-651-5070.

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