Lakeland PBS

Lakeland PBS

https://lptv.org
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lakeland-public-television/

Lakeland PBS, a non-profit organization headquartered in the US, was founded in 1980 and operates with approximately 40 employees. The organization specializes in broadcast media production and distribution, functioning as a 501c3 non-profit that operates two digital television broadcast stations: KAWE in Bemidji, serving northern Minnesota, and KAWB in Brainerd, serving central Minnesota.

Revenue

Founded

1980

Headcount

38

Headquarters

United States

Primary Segment

Broadcast Media Production and Distribution

Ownership

Non-profit

News Summary:

A commentary on June 3, 2026, highlighted Lakeland PBS's 45-year tenure as northern Minnesota's television hub, providing local stories, regional news, trusted information, children's content, public safety alerts, and showcasing untold local narratives. Previously, on March 16, 2026, Lakeland PBS announced the premiere of its new anthology series, "218Life," which debuted March 19 at 7 p.m., celebrating the Northland’s natural beauty, cultural diversity, and independent spirit. This followed news on March 14, 2026, that Lakeland PBS surpassed 50% of its fundraising goal after securing major grants from the PMC Bridge Fund and Press Forward Minnesota. Earlier, on November 10, 2025, the outlet canceled its "Lakeland Currents" program, citing federal funding cuts, impacting its viewing area of over 383,500 people across an estimated 7,500 square miles in northern and central Minnesota.

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Jun

3rd

2026

01:20

Funding Activities, B2B Tag

Commentary: Protecting public media is vital for rural voices

For 45 years, Lakeland PBS has served as northern Minnesota’s television hub for local stories and regional news. Every day, thousands of community members turn to us for local reporting and information they can trust, a safe place for children and families to learn, life-saving public safety alerts during emergencies and local stories that may otherwise go untold.

The Bemidji Pioneer

Mar

16th

2026

00:00

Lakeland PBS celebrates northern resilience with new anthology series 218Life premiering March 19

Lakeland PBS is proud to announce the premiere of its newest flagship anthology series, 218Life, debuting Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. 218Life is designed as a vibrant celebration of the Northland’s natural beauty, cultural diversity, and the rugged, independent spirit that defines our region.

Tncontentexchange

Mar

14th

2026

00:00

Funding Activities, B2B Tag

Lakeland PBS surpasses 50% of fundraising goal following major grants from PMC Bridge Fund and Press Forward Minnesota

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Feb

21st

2026

01:27

Funding Activities, Events, B2B Tag

Business Bites: Local chambers announce new memberships and change to services

Following are bites of business happenings in the northern lakes area. The Pine River Chamber of Commerce is revamping its Chamber Bucks certificates as part of a Shop Local initiative. The chamber invites local businesses to participate as it redesigns and relaunches the certificates for use within the community.

Pine and Lakes Echo Journal

Nov

10th

2025

20:16

CT_Monitor Company

Lakeland PBS cancels Lakeland Currents citing federal funding cuts

The Brief Lakeland PBS covers an estimated 7,500 square miles in northern and central Minnesota, while reaching a viewing area of more than 383,500 people. The media outlet has decided to cancel its popular Lakeland Currents program as a direct result of federal funding cuts.

Nov

8th

2025

10:30

CT_Monitor Company

West Central donates $1,000 to Lakeland PBS

West Central recently presented a $1,000 donation to Lakeland PBS in Bemidji to support the station’s mission of providing educational, informational and community-focused programming across northern and central Minnesota. Lakeland PBS serves a broad region, with locations in Bemidji and Brainerd.

The Bemidji Pioneer

Aug

22nd

2025

23:00

CT_Monitor Company

Happy Retirement to Longtime Lakeland PBS Employee Dave Sievert!

We’re saying “farewell” to longtime Master Control operator Dave Sievert, who is retiring from the business after more than 40 years at Lakeland PBS. Over the years, Dave has kept us on the air as an MC operator and has also helped run video for Lakeland News ever since the first newscast in 1998.

Aug

19th

2025

18:30

CT_Monitor Company

Lakeland PBS - Camp supports children affected by cancer

Lakeland PBS - Camp supports children affected by cancer Lakeland PBS in Brainerd visited Camp Knutson, operated by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, to share the story about one of our partner organizations, Camp Norden. This special camp serves children touched by cancer and provides a caring environment where they can be kids and make new friends with others who are facing similar situations.

Aug

14th

2025

13:27

Cost Cutting, CT_Monitor Company

Lakeland PBS faces critical financial threat following $1M funding cut

Lakeland PBS, north central Minnesota's only locally owned and operated public television station, announced it is facing a severe financial crisis after a recent federal rescissions package eliminated $1 million in annual funding. The cut represents 37% of the station’s operating budget, posing a significant threat to its ability to serve communities across the region, a news release said.

Pine and Lakes Echo Journal

Aug

10th

2025

05:27

Cost Cutting, CT_Monitor Company

Lakeland PBS faces critical financial threat following $1M federal funding cut

BRAINERD — Lakeland PBS, north central Minnesota's only locally owned and operated public television station, announced it is facing a severe financial crisis after a recent federal rescissions package eliminated $1 million in annual funding. “The cut represents a staggering 37% of the station’s operating budget, posing a significant threat to its ability to serve communities across the region,” Lakeland reported in a news release.

Brainerd Dispatch

Aug

7th

2025

18:30

Negative News, CT_Monitor Company

Lakeland PBS faces 'critical financial threat' after losing $1M in federal funding

BEMIDJI — Lakeland PBS is facing a severe financial crisis after Congress clawed back funding for public media. The station said in a Wednesday, Aug. 6, news release that the move eliminated $1 million of its annual funding, 37% of its operating budget.

Jul

23rd

2025

00:52

Cost Cutting, CT_Monitor Company

‘Significant Changes’ at Lakeland PBS Possible After Federal Funding Cuts

Bemidji, MN – July 21, 2025 Lakeland PBS, north central Minnesota’s only locally owned and operated public television station, has received devastating news with the passage of a federal rescissions package last week that eliminates $1 million in annual federal funding— 37% of the station’s operating budget.

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