KFSK Midday Magazine

Petersburg high schoolers volunteer around town for the school's Day of Giving; the next legislative session is less than a month away; and a look at some unique holiday celebrations from across the state.

A proposal to hire a school librarian for Wrangell's public school district sparked frustration and concern at a school board meeting; Juneau residents celebrated the Winter Solstice with a ski club gathering; and three Petersburg wrestlers competed at the state championship in Anchorage last weekend.

The state heard public input about ferry service to help craft plans for transit in Southeast Alaska; a trailer in Wrangell caught fire last Friday and there were no injuries; and some advice for keeping skin hydrated in a colder climate.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is eyeing a property tax break for the Alaska LNG project; a housing project for unhoused Sitkans had its grand opening last weekend; and three Petersburg wrestlers are competing at state after success at regions last weekend.

The State of Alaska is considering opening up a new ferry terminal in Southeast Alaska; Juneau is expecting frigid temperatures for the next couple weeks; and Juneau's top tourist attraction might have to stem the flow of visitors due to a lawsuit brought by a nearby homeowner.

NOAA's annual arctic report card released its findings yesterday; Petersburg lost power for almost two hours last night; and more than $8,000 was raised by local screenings of a documentary, which will help Petersburg's nonprofit movie theater.

Governor Mike Dunleavy is no longer pushing to reform the state's schools; what may be Alaska's first hybrid electric fishing boat is closer to hitting the water; and many communities in the panhandle have gotten significant snowfall this past week.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has landed on a solution to stop glacial outburst floods in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley; Congress approved critical funding for rural schools; and Petersburg has seen over 2 feet of snowfall since yesterday morning.

Governor Mike Dunleavy released his proposed budget yesterday; a look at a Sitka man's nutcracker collection; and Petersburg's high school wrestling team has seen big growth ahead of regions.

Governor Mike Dunleavy intends to roll out a new state fiscal plan; the state has launched a new telehealth service for Alaskans with disabilities; and Mitkof Island received more than fifteen inches of snow this week.

Juneau's new hydroelectric utility has a contract to power a controversial ferry terminal; a sacred item is being returned to a Lingit clan; and the Petersburg Borough Assembly approved a handful of changes to the budget.

Ketchikan's school district owes the Ketchikan Gateway Borough millions of dollars, according to the district's auditors; teacher and principal turnover rates have increased in Alaska; and a look at Skagway School's shop class.

State officials say a federal heating assistance program will continue uninterrupted; the City & Borough of Juneau seeks ideas from residents on how to spend revenue from cruise ship passenger fees; and the owners of a sailboat share about why Wrangell is part of its legacy, now.

Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier is no longer touching Mendenhall Lake; the Chilkat Valley has seen high eagle counts this year; and a new documentary will feature Petersburg's unique food and community.

Southeast Alaska tribes have filed a judicial review over British Columbia transboundary mining; Juneau has resurrected its tourism task force; and Covid shots are available at Petersburg Public Health.

The Skagway Traditional Council has documented the history of a native boarding school in Skagway; as Juneau's population ages, interest in pickleball is growing; and Petersburg's high school varsity volleyball season may have ended, but the players took away valuable lessons.

Thousands of Alaskans who rely on the federal marketplace for health insurance are experiencing sticker shock; a discussion with Independent Representative Rebecca Himschoot on the bipartisan education taskforce; and four seats are up for election in the Petersburg Indian Association tribal election.

Alaska's government is increasingly failing to keep up with state and federal law; Juneau's residents no longer have to pay sales tax on essential food and utilities; and Southeast Alaska's red king crab fishery is expected to generate 5 million dollars.

A regional tribe plans to build 3 communications towers in Petersburg; a look a debunking a popular statistic about Alaska's food imports; and the Sitka Conservation Society hosted a well-attended potluck last weekend.

A lawsuit from Alaska's only Native reservation will proceed over the objections of other Southeast tribes; Juneau high schoolers build homes and learn construction skills; and Petersburg's Mitkof Mummers theater group is performing two short plays this weekend.

Disaster assistance for crab fishermen is rolling out after years of waiting; Ketchikan high schoolers learn EMT skillsets; and Petersburg's high school wrestling team competed in Juneau earlier this month.

Federal workers in Juneau are frustrated with the reopening process following the federal government shutdown; Ketchikan's Totem Heritage Center gears up for an anniversary by restoring carved posts; and researchers and community members in Yakutat discuss local geohazards and how to address them.

A store in downtown Craig is helping those in need; Soldotna 6th graders ran a mock-assembly meeting to learn about local government; and Sen. Dan Sullivan is scheduled to present to the Petersburg Borough Assembly tonight.

Juneau's avalanche forecasters reinstalled tools to predict avalanche risks; Wrangell high schoolers learned how to process a seal; and Petersburg's Logan Tow brought home the gold after last weekend's state meet.

Invasive European green crab populations have exploded on an island in Southeast Alaska; a former staff member at Sitka's school district raised concerns about its travel accounts; and Petersburg's high school volleyball team is seeded second despite logistical challenges at the tournament in Craig.