Local Radio Is Under Threat in Small-Town America

As the FCC weighs ownership rule changes, the stations communities rely on during fires, storms, and disasters are struggling to survive

I’ve spent my life in radio. And I can say this with certainty: when fires burn, storms hit, or disasters unfold, local radio is absolutely essential.

Especially in small towns.

Radio still works when the power goes out, when cell service drops, and when broadband is overloaded or nonexistent.

Local stations know the evacuation routes. They know which road…