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Why we still need AM radio

The most reliable way to keep us informed in times of disaster is being threatened.

By Ariel Aberg-Riger
When Hurricane Helene tore through North Carolina in September 2024, the Asheville AM radio station WWNC stayed on air, transforming itself into a makeshift dispatch center to help locals and emergency responders stay connected and informed on everything from road closures to tips about where to find bottled water.

Ariel Aberg-Riger is the author of America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History.

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