I don't know what NPR is like in other states, but in NH it's pretty well-funded by the public (including businesses) and has to be as it receives very little funding from the state anyway. My advice to Ricardo is to leave Nebraska. He could go back to school, perhaps even go back for more cheaply if his state chooses to invest in state universities with money they save by printing very faint memos on very thin paper stock. - The State of NebraskaEducate thyself Ricardo!
The further away you get from an urban center the more public broadcasting stations are funded by government money. I've heard the claim that many rural stations would have to close up shop without government subsidy. I don't know how true this is but it at least sounds plausible.