Rural Public Radio in 2024

The unique challenges faced by rural communities across the country provided insight into the pivotal role that rural public radio plays in bringing people together across vast distances.

Community is central to all public radio stations, especially those serving rural audiences. For rural stations, however, finding the community comes a bit differently. They often broadcast across an extremely wide area – serving audiences across tens of thousands square miles. They’re often one of the few sources of local news, sports, and arts reporting. And during disasters, stations are the ones letting their neighbors know and keeping them safe. Rural communities face a multitude of challenges – impacted by the need to serve dispersed populations across wide distances – when responding to a wide variety of emergencies, from wildfires to floods to tornadoes to ice thaws.

Broadly, these stations share the common mission of public media – to inform, entertain, and connect – but their doing so enables public media to provide universal service to every person across this vast country. In 2024, the Alliance of Rural Public Media continued to shine a spotlight on their critical work, from the sweeping landscapes of Texas’ Big Bend to the remote, resilient communities of Alaska. With stories that underscore collaboration, creativity, and commitment, these pieces highlight the essential role rural public radio plays in the lives of millions of people who might not live that close to each other, but find community through their love of public media and everything it brings.

The Stories of 2024

Marfa Public Radio Fills The Gaps Across A Wide Open Big Bend

Marfa Public Radio continues to be a lifeline for the Big Bend region in Texas, bridging far-reaching distances with programming that informs and inspires. From emergency updates to storytelling that captures the spirit of West Texas, this station’s efforts underscore the unique challenges and opportunities of serving such a geographically expansive area. Read more about Marfa Public Radio.

Alaska’s Public Radio Prepares To Expand Its Innovative Collaborations   

As expansive and often disconnected Alaskan communities can be from each other, the state has some of public media’s most enthusiastic journalistic collaborators. By sharing resources and uniting diverse voices through groups like the new Alaska Desk and CoastAlaska, these stations are breaking new ground in efficiency and inclusivity, setting a standard for innovation in rural broadcasting. Learn more about the collaborations keeping Alaska connected.

KTOO at 50 Celebrates Community and Culture

Nestled in the heart of Alaska’s capital, public radio organization KTOO has been a cornerstone of Juneau’s cultural life for a long time. In 2024, the station celebrated its 50th anniversary in style, and while the event, called 50 Fest, undoubtedly reflected on the station’s storied past, it was just as much about looking ahead. This story was done in collaboration with the noncomMUSIC Alliance. Relive the celebration.

KSKO’s One Man, Full-Time Operation Connects Interior Alaska

In this profile of KSKO’s tireless sole full-time employee, the self-professed “Alaska Radio Nerd” Paul Walker, we witness the extraordinary dedication it takes to sustain public radio in Interior Alaska. Despite limited resources, Walker and the station ensure that even the most remote listeners stay connected to the world. See how Walker connects his community as a one man operation.

In a Town Cut Off, Raven Radio Tuned In to Keep Sitka Together 

When a random accident left an already remote Sitka without cell or internet service, Raven Radio stepped up to foster unity, resilience, and a broadcast that never dropped out. This story highlights the power of local radio to bridge divides, provide comfort, and keep communities informed during times of crisis. Recount KCAW’s swift action to keep Sitka connected.

---

The launch of the United States of Rural Radio series was a highlight of 2024, providing an in-depth look at the vibrant and varied ways public radio strengthens the fabric of rural America. Focusing first on the stories from Alaska was a testament to the ingenuity and heart of programmers and communities in what many consider the epitome of American rural living. The Alliance of Rural Public Media also participated in this year’s Public Radio Music Day, showing that its motto “Bringing People Together: From Coast to Coast” was true even from the smallest, most remote town, where the public radio station is sharing its music scene across the airwaves and across the country.

As we step into 2025, there will be more stories that will show the variety of rural living. United States of Rural Radio will focus on more and more states. The stories of rural public radio remind us of the importance of staying connected, no matter how vast the distance. These stations not only reflect the character of their communities but also amplify their voices to the wider world even if they might be a bit more isolated than their public media colleagues in big cities. Here’s to another year of celebrating the lifelines that rural public radio provides!