KFSK Midday Magazine

Wrangell is exploring ways to improve school safety amid the increase in gun violence in the United States; a new policy in Dillingham that requires parents of student athletes to volunteer two hours at major home tournaments is showing signs of success; outgoing U.S. Representative Mary Peltola talks about her time in office and plans for the future.

The Arctic tundra shifted this past year from capturing carbon to releasing it, which means now it's contributing to rising global temperatures; a wildlife refuge near Kotzebue gets a new sign, meant to reflect the region's wildlife and culture; a look back at 2024 in Petersburg.

Petersburg harbormaster Glorianne Wollen told the state seafood task force that Alaska's harbors need more funding; Skagway residents got a lesson on heat pumps; a look at how the Alaska Reads Act has affected reading levels in Sitka.

Troopers arrested a man in Petersburg last week for allegedly sharing child sexual abuse material; SEARHC is acquiring another privately-owned healthcare facility in Juneau; travelers on the Alaska Marine Highway's ferry Columbia can now use free Wi-Fi.

Juneau utility staff say they need to raise water and sewer rates bu about 50% over the next five years; Gov. Mike Dunleavy said last week that he intends to establish a state department of agriculture to improve Alaska's ability to feed itself; in remote Southeast Alaska, travel for school activities can be a logistical nightmare, but studies show those activities are incredibly good for kids.

A bill that would increase thousands of Alaskans' Social Security benefits is headed for President Biden's desk; Wrangell's Christmas Tree Lane has been a tradition for two decaded; Juneau has a new chess club.

Sitka is looking for public input in planning its energy future; Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proposed a funding boost for Alaska's seafood marketing agency, after vetoing similar funding included in last year's budget; Petersburg's Joey Boggs escorted the capital Christmas tree across the country last month.

A look at tanner and golden crab populations ahead of this season's fisheries; federal grant funding will go toward upgrading an aging hydroelectric plant on Prince of Wales Island; a former Denali park ranger documented the ways the Arctic has changed over the last 40 years.

An application to put a cruise limit question before Sitka voters has passed the city's initial legal review; the Ketchikan Indian Community just received a $3 million grant to build dozens of housing units for seniors; Pacific Seafood has purchased the Trident Seafood plant in Kodiak.

The Petersburg wrestlers on on their way to the state tournament in Anchorage today; a shuttered theater in Juneau will be converted into 22 apartments thanks to municipal assistance; an infrequently-used cruise ship port outside of Ketchikan has hew owners.

The Petersburg School District needs to spend down some of its operating balance in the next year and a half; a recent state report found that the Alaska Office of Child Services failed to offer enough support to a foster child with aggressive behaviors; more than a thousand Ukrainians have come to Alaska since Russia invaded their country - but now some worry Trump will deport them.

Petersburg's Borough Assembly will consider a resolution that would let the borough apply for a state loan to fund the replacement of a pump station; Juneau's Planned Parenthood closed in November and won't reopen, leaving the community with less access to reproductive healthcare; Gov. Mike Dunleavy released his proposal for the state budget last week.

The Juneau school district is getting nearly half a million dollars in unexpected funding from the state; Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he plans to roll out an education bill ahead of the legislative session that starts in January; Petersburg's dance troupe will perform their take on the Wizard of Oz this weekend.

A massive sea lion will no longer be terrorizing people and pets in Petersburg's South Harbor; the city of Juneau is recommending changes to the way tour companies use city-owned trails and parks; Alaska's seafood task force looks at the way limited entry affects fishing access.

The bodies of two crew members believed to be from the seiner Wind Walker were found ona beach new Hoonah on Monday; Petersburg's high school wrestling team hosted the final home invitational of the season last weekend; two major Alaska seafood processors have agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit.

A volunteer DJ at Petersburg's public radio station accidentally discharged a handgun during his music show Friday; Sitkans held a vigil in memory of the five fishermen lost aboard the Wind Walker earlier this month; researchers aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Heely discovered an underwater volcano-like feature along the north slope last month

NBA start Chris Herren talked to Peterburg students about substance use last week; the Ketchikan School District is considering reorganizing three elementary school due to insufficient funding; Sitka Fine Arts Camp is going phone free next year.

The Petersburg Borough will negotiate with Skylark Park LLC to sell several plots of borough-owned land, after a vote during the borough assembly meeting this week; a recent study from the University of Alaska Fairbanks found a correlation between king salmon size and their population numbers; there are expected to be a lot fewer people in Southeast Alaska by the year 2050.

The U.S. Coast Guard released the names of five missing fishermen in a Sunday boat accident near Hoonah; a new residential treatment center is coming to Ketchikan this month, filling a much needed gap; three schools Southcentral Alaska have restricted student cell phone use and principals and teachers say the limited have had positive results.

A plan to extend Juneau's downtown sea walk crossed a major hurdle this fall; advocates for limiting cruise boat traffic in Sitka have submitted a new petition; Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is restarting a rebate program to boost energy efficient construction.

A leak at Petersburg's medical center earlier this month sent water pouring down into an acute care room; this week the Petersburg Indian Association announced candidates for January's tribal election - seven candidates are vying for three seats on the council; Alaska's commercial salmon harvests were low this year by all measures.

A ferry attempting to dock in Kake on Saturday had to return to Juneau when a cable securing it to the dock, broke; New research challenges the link between low birth rates among Southern Resident killer whales and a lack of Chinook salmon; a conversations with Petersburg coach Jaime Cabral, following the regional tournament in Craig.

Juneau approved a half a million dollar grant for a nonprofit that helps people recovering from substance misuse; a mine upstream from Haines is going through ownership changes and residents are waiting to see how it will effect the community; the Capital Christmas Tree has finally made its way from Wrangell, all the way to Washington D.C.

Petersburg's volunteer fire department has a new fire chief; Ketchikan's government plans to help residents switch to heat pumps; Petersburg's Stedman Elementary students talk about what they're thankful for this year.

A ballot measure that would repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska has narrowly failed; Skagway is considering a community land trust as a way to deal with the housing problem in the town; the Mitkof Mummers production of the Snow White Variety Show opens tonight in Petersburg.