In rural America, public radio saves lives

In rural America, public radio saves lives

When a typhoon hit Alaska, public radio station KYUK was on the air, broadcasting critical information about conditions, evacuations, and search and rescue operations. An estimated 1,600 people were displaced, and many were saved in the biggest airlift operation in state history. “The work that we do in terms of public safety communication literally does save lives,” said Sage Smiley, KYUK’s news director.  KYUK is small, scrappy, and bilingual.…