News In Brief

Reagan vetoes budget bill for public-broadcasting aid

Citing an ''urgent need'' to cut government spending, President Reagan vetoed a budget authorization bill Wednesday designed to ensure the growth of public broadcasting through the 1980s.

The vetoed bill would have authorized spending of $238 million in fiscal 1987 , rising to $253 million the following year and to $270 million in fiscal 1989. Mr. Reagan had previously recommended $100 million in spending authority in 1987 , $85 million in 1988, and $70 million in 1989.

The Senate had approved the authorization bill Aug. 10 by a unanimous voice vote. It cleared the House earlier by a margin of 302 to 91.