Radio is a key information source for the most time-sensitive local news and information topics.  Just under half of adults (47%) report getting information about local traffic and transportation.  Along with local television news, radio tops the list of sources for this information, reflecting the widespread use of radio by those commuting to and from work.  While 19% of adults say that local television is their main source for traffic and transportation news and information, 15% cite the radio as their main source. 

Roughly one in ten adults (9%) cite the radio as a key source for breaking news and weather.  This makes radio the fourth most popular source for breaking news (behind, in order, television, newspaper and the internet) and it follows only television and the internet as a primary source for weather information.  In addition, 5% of adults cite radio as a main source for both local political and arts and cultural information, while 4% rely on radio for crime updates.

Yet on a range of other topics, only 3% or fewer adults rely on radio as a source. Those low-registering topics are: local businesses (3%), community events (2%), taxes (2%), schools (2%), government activities (2%), social services (2%), restaurants (1%), housing and real estate (1%), zoning (1%), and local jobs (1%).