KFSK Midday Magazine

Scores of rural Alaska residents spent hours testifying about subsistence at a meeting in Anchorage this week; budget crunchers weigh in on Gov. Mike Dunleavy's plan to fix the state's fiscal problem; and scientists in Fairbanks are performing a series of studies on the aurora.

Alaska's construction industry sounds the alarm over missing federal matching funds for transportation projects; Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is joining the crowded race to be Alaska's next governor; and Petersburg will get $8 million toward mandatory wastewater treatment upgrades.

The federal government has begun a scoping process that could lead to wide-ranging changes to federal subsistence management in Alaska; the Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill that would tighten residency requirements for Alaskans buying hunting or fishing licenses; and Petersburg's varsity Vikings remain undefeated after two intense basketball games against Haines last week.

The US Forest Service plans to harvest five thousand acres of trees in the Tongass; one company is trying to bring fresh produce to Western Alaska; and the Lady Vikings took their first basketball wins of the season last week.

A small town on Prince of Wales Island hasn't had landline service for months; sled dog racing in Bethel is family-inspired for some young mushers; and a conversation about last weekend's basketball games in Craig with Lady Vikings head coach Matt Pawuk.

Unresolved Juneau teacher contract negotiations are impacting students; the case against a Haines man charged with animal cruelty is at a standstill; and Petersburg's boys varsity basketball team won their first home games of the season.

Governor Mike Dunleavy has introduced bills he says will stabilize state finances; the rate of Alaskans dying from drug overdoses has declined; and Skagway students want their school district to be flexible with subsistence activities.

A conversation with the US Forest Service's new acting Alaska regional forester; this year's Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog race saw a historic finish; and Petersburg's Home Health office has moved locations.

One Ketchikan river may have a low Chinook run this year; young commercial fishermen learned industry knowledge in Juneau; and Petersburg's first MRI is finishing a state certification process.

Alaska congressman Nick Begich has a new challenger; the City and Borough of Wrangell arranged an agreement with American Cruise Lines; and a broadband venture building 3 communications towers in Petersburg has seen some pushback.

Governor Mike Dunleavy says he'll propose a statewide sales tax; American Cruise Lines plans to expand in Alaska, but has seen pushback in Haines; and the Lady Vikings tried new strategies at last weekend's Wrangell basketball games.

The business arm of Southeast Alaska's largest tribe has earned nearly $40 million from U.S. Navy contracts in Guantanamo Bay; the state legislature is back in session amid growing concerns about Alaska's financial future; and Petersburg's Vikings basketball team won both games in Wrangell last weekend.

A $1.3 billion program aims to reimagine medical care in Alaska; Alaska's mariculture industry grew in 2025; and the Petersburg Borough Assembly will consider changes to the budget tonight.

Residents from Southeast Alaska gave input on the state's proposed summer ferry schedule, calling for increased service; a totem pole will be unveiled in Wrangell on Saturday; and a look at a speed puzzling competition in Petersburg last weekend.

Juneau residents living in avalanche-prone neighborhoods are clear to return home; the state House of Representatives will have two new lawmakers joining when the legislative session starts next week; and the Wrangell Teachers Association is calling for higher paraprofessional pay.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has set a harvest limits for this year's Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery; the cost to move Juneau's city hall is millions of dollars higher than expected; and colonoscopy clinics are returning to Petersburg.

A radar detection system is tracking avalanches that rumble down Mount Juneau; a look at some new bills for the upcoming annual legislative session; and a commentary by Petersburg's Matt Lichtenstein about joining EMS.

The state is seeking public input on Alaska's draft summer ferry schedule; state transportation officials pulled out over half of the funding from Anchorage-area projects; and changes in the state seafood industry and federal immigration policies have some pollock processors looking toward a domestic workforce.

A drop in jobs is forecast in Southeast Alaska this year; the public comment period for a controversial ferry terminal in Juneau closes today; and Petersburg's high school basketball season has begun for the Lady Vikings.

Goods arrived in Pelican after the town went over a month without access to outside services; the Alaska Board of Game will consider increasing nonresident bag limits of deer in Sitka; and Petersburg Vikings basketball coach Rick Brock catches us up on the season so far.

Some Alaska Airlines passengers saw surprise bills for baggage that used to fly free; Haines and Skagway have seen weeks of heavy snowfall and bitter cold; and the unofficial results of the 2026 Petersburg Indian Association election are in.

Cold weather has caused some Juneau residents to be without water for weeks; the Sitka Assembly wants to address bears getting into trash cans; and a thank you commentary from Petersburg Medical Center travel nurse Carline Gayle.

Some Prince of Wales communities are facing complications with their city water supply; Alaska will get over 270 million dollars to upgrade its rural health systems; and it's officially time to file for the PFD.

The second of two men arrested in Petersburg last summer for scamming an elderly resident was sentenced to a year in jail; an update on an ongoing gondola project in Juneau; and three Wrangell residents were elected to serve as Grand Camp officials.

Last minute negotiations could keep nine seismic stations running in the Aleutians; Sitka's industrial park board recently approved a wish list of shipyard improvements; and a family-run shop in downtown Juneau is closing after 50 years.