El Paso tunes in to support KTEP after federal funding cuts

Alan Acosta

KTEP, a charter member of NPR, has provided public radio services in the Southwest for almost 80 years. The station can be found inside the Cotton Memorial Building at UTEP.

Vivien Noe, Staff Reporter • September 7, 2025

On July 18, President Donald Trump signed the Recessions Act of 2025, authorizing the elimination of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting (CPB) funds. The bill went into effect immediately, forcing CPB to begin shutting down operations all over the country, raising concerns for how local TV and radio stations, including The University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) KTEP, will gain the fundings needed for upcoming programming.

KTEP launched in 1946, holding a history of nearly 80 years providing the multicultural border community of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez with everything they need to know about, as they declared in their mission statement, “knowledge of the world, appreciation of the arts and understanding of the human condition” all while using tools such as music. Additional to their mission, their directors teachUTEP students knowledge on broadcasting and multimedia journalism, in a professional, real-world setting.

With the purpose of continuing with its objectives, KTEP has turned to the community for help with the funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The administrative directors, staff, UTEP students and student organizations, came together to encourage the community to make donations.

The station’s General Manager, John Carrillo, went on air to make the following invitation,

“KTEP is facing an unprecedented loss of funding, and we’re looking to our community to support us during this time of need. We’re taking a fresh approach to fundraising in hopes of connecting with our current and new audience through music.”

They conducted the emergency fund drive on Aug. 15 and 16, where instead of regular programming, they played many hits commercial radio usually does not play and brought on special guests.

Among the guests, wereJim Ward, musician and entrepreneur, who said, “KTEP is part of our community. It has been in my ears for my entire life, and I want it to continue being in my ears, supporting the arts, the music, El Paso and the news.”

The directors declared their goal was to raise a total of $50,000 for the next fiscal year. They say they were met with an incredibly positive response. Marina Monsis, KTEP’s host of the State of the Arts segment, went on Instagram to thank the listeners with the following words: “Thank you so much for your support of KTEP…The phones are ringing, we have so much beautiful support.”

Public broadcasting offers free educational programming, unites people through the joy and power of music and sparks curiosity with conversation. With continued donations and a community to support them, KTEP has sustained its legacy by providing listeners with songs from all genres and highlighting the voices, stories and culture of the border region.

Vivien Noe C is staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected]

About the Contributors

Vivien Noe, Staff Reporter

Vivien Noe is a sophomore at the University of Texas at El Paso, pursuing a dual degree in psychology and media advertising. During the fall semester, she is working as a staff reporter for The Prospector. Noe also participates in volunteer organizations such as Women’s Volunteer Organization and College Double T Health Professions Honor society. Her long-term goal is to establish a career in psychology, using her skills in journalism and advertising to combat misinformation and raise campaigns about important social issues such as mental health and civil rights.

Alan Acosta, Staff Photographer

Alan Acosta is a senior at UTEP, majoring in digital media production. He is a staff photographer for The Prospector, as well as the Treasurer of the Digital Media Production Association (DMPA) student organization. With a love for storytelling, he hopes to get his Master’s in Filmmaking and join the entertainment industry.