NEW ALBANY, In - Despite decades of advancement in entertainment and news, local radio stations have managed to remain part of our everyday lives. One school — just across the Ohio River from Louisville — led the nation into the radio age and shows no signs of slowing down.

New Albany High School in southern Indiana claims its radio station — WNAS — was the first high school FM station on the airwaves back in May of 1949. Nearly 70 years later, it boasts a department with 75 current students who do everything from read announcements to take requests from any driver who might be listening within a 20-mile radius. The students get class credit for their efforts and some life skills along the way.

"When I first used to go on I used to talk… how I talk to my friends; like, being scared or shy I guess," said Kelise, a sophomore. "But, nobody’s watching me, so I’m definitely more articulate on the radio."

Over its 70-year history, one of the station’s claims to fame is students’ extensive on-scene coverage of the April 1974 tornado outbreak that tore through Kentuckiana is labeled as the worst in US history. Though current manager, Brian Sullivan, admits it was probably a better idea to keep high school kids out of harm’s way.