At KSPS PBS, civic health begins with access to trustworthy, local information. At a time when media consolidation, shrinking newsrooms, and the growth of so-called “news deserts” have reduced local coverage across the country, public television plays an increasingly vital role in helping communities stay informed, engaged, and connected.
In May 2025, KSPS PBS launched At Issue, a new local public affairs program designed to dig deeply into the issues shaping life in our region. The program created space for thoughtful, fact-based discussion of complex local challenges, including downtown Spokane’s homelessness crisis and the presence of “forever chemicals” in area wells. These conversations did not end when the cameras stopped rolling. Ongoing online news updates and a companion podcast, produced by Leilah Isaacson, extended the dialogue and made this reporting accessible across platforms.
KSPS PBS also continued its long-standing commitment to local election coverage, producing candidate debates for Spokane City Council races and providing clear, nonpartisan explanations of the Together Spokane bond and levy ballot measures. In an era of political polarization and misinformation, this work helps voters understand the issues before them and participate more fully in civic life.
Civic health also includes access to reliable, science-based health information. For more than two decades, Health Matters has been a cornerstone of community education on KSPS PBS. Now in its 22nd season, the program continues to bring together medical professionals and patient advocates to explore topics that affect families across the region. Host Aaron Luna covered a wide range of issues this year, including diabetes, colon cancer, mental health, weight loss, innovative treatments, and preventive care, empowering viewers to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Together, these efforts reflect the essential role of local public broadcasting as a stabilizing force in a fragmented media environment. With the loss of federal funding, sustaining this work now depends more than ever on community support. KSPS PBS remains committed to providing calm, fact-based, and locally grounded programming that strengthens civic understanding and democratic participation, regardless of political perspective.
Because of our supporters, this trusted public service continues.