Public radio is a lifeline for rural communities. It connects our community of islands here in Southeast, and our neighbors scattered across the far and wide villages of Northern Alaska. In many areas of Alaska public radio is the only means of issuing emergency alerts, public safety announcements, and relaying important community information.

Public radio should be an investment of the Department of Public Safety. Public radio currently finds its support from the Department of Administration, but that is not the appropriate category of management for this communication service. For the purpos...