WNIT, South Bend’s PBS station, is laying off five staff members and cutting hours for two more, affecting about a quarter of its workforce.

The station lost $1.3 million in annual funding, prompting the cuts.

WNIT is asking viewers to support the station through memberships and donations.

PBS Michiana’s President and General Manager called the decisions “heartbreaking” and said state and federal budget reductions forced them.