WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — Efforts to keep AM radio in new vehicles continue on Capitol Hill as lawmakers push back against plans by some automakers to remove the receivers. Several large manufacturers have argued that AM radio is becoming less necessary, citing rising costs and declining listenership.
Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts says that AM radio remains an important source of information for rural communities across the country. His new bill, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, would require automakers to keep AM radio receivers in all new passenger vehicles.
“AM radio stations in Nebraska and around the country are still the lifeblood of rural communities,” Ricketts said. “In the Senate, I am working to preserve this important service. Every vehicle sold in the U.S. should be equipped with an AM broadcast radio at no charge. In Nebraska, we know this is common sense. My ‘AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act’ would do that.”
Ricketts’ proposal would also require the Department of Transportation to ensure AM radio is available at no additional cost to consumers.
Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
January 14, 2026 01:49 PM
·
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.
January 14, 2026 12:17 PM
·
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses the latest developments in the Supreme Court, trade tariffs, and the future of the USMCA under President Donald Trump.
January 14, 2026 11:54 AM
·
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
·
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today unveiled a bold plan to protect the nation’s prime farm and ranchland from the rapid spread of data centers.
January 13, 2026 03:36 PM
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·