Blind Reading Service Going Off The Air Nov. 18

The head of the Montana Audio Information Network says the reading service for the blind will go off the air on Nov. 18.

Executive director Kate Cotnoir says its funding was not renewed in the last legislative session. She says that without $60,000 to cover operating costs, the network has no choice but to shut down.

The Missoula-based network has about 1,200 subscribers across the state.

Volunteers read the state's daily papers over the air each day, and 15 or more small-town weeklies are read on a rotating basis.

Cotnoir says the rent is free and the network relies on its team of 70 volunteers for much of the work.

The budget shortfall is for Cotnoir's salary, that of a part-time assistant and a small amount of overhead.

Associated Press