KFSK Midday Magazine

Lawmakers say they're investigating why $50 million from the state's primary savings account was invested in an outside private equity fund; over 600 Petersburg residents have already voted in this year's municipal election; and Petersburg's high school cross country team brought home another state title.

In Juneau, a gathering to remember indigenous children sent to residential schools focused on healing and remembrance; Wrangell's chamber of commerce has seen high turnover rates; and former Anchorage mayor Dave Bronson is running for governor.

A lawsuit challenging a key part of Alaska's homeschool system moved ahead this week; a Pennsylvania man allegedly attempted to steal the PFD's of seven Alaskans; and Petersburg joined other Southeast communities in asking for stronger Sea Otter management.

The Fairbanks Assembly is pushing for the return of a woman held in a lower 48 immigration detention center; the new champion of fat bear week has been announced; and residents across the Panhandle are still cleaning up some damage after last week's storm.

Industry leaders talked about the importance of modernizing the fishing industry at Southeast's annual economic conference; plans for a casino-like gambling hall near Juneau may be in jeopardy; and Petersburg's high school cross country team has qualified for the state championship.

Southeast Alaska communities weathered a big wind storm last Friday; Inspired by the bears of Katmai National Park, Sitkans start "Fat Pothole Week"; and researchers studied an oyster farm in Juneau to understand the conditions for growing shellfish in Alaska.

Thousands of Alaskans will lose health insurance subsidies unless Congress steps in; hurricane-force winds are supposed to hit central and southern Southeast Alaska late tonight; and a conversation with high school swim coach Andy Carlisle about last weekend's home meet.

Power has been restored to part of Elfin Cove after it was hit by wind and landslides Monday; a Tlingit artist and filmmaker reflects on her 3-month journey of eating only Native Alaska foods; and a new federal grant will help support youth reading programs in Petersburg.

No injuries were reported after a landslide in Elfin Cove yesterday; the state filed criminal charges against a Chilkat Valley resident for animal cruelty; and researchers study the sounds of humpback whales at the Five Finger Lighthouse.

This year's Permanent Fund Dividend will be exactly $1,000; Sitka's new marine haulout is open for business; and the printing press at the Petersburg Pilot is one of the rare few operated by a woman — and it has been for decades.

Unusually warm temperatures attracted tuna to Sitka's waters; kids in Petersburg got a chance to see the town's big trucks up close; and a conversation with Petersburg Borough Assembly candidate Donna Marsh.

There are not enough young people in Southeast Alaska to fill its growing job market; the public can comment on the proposal rescinding of the Roadless Rule law, through tomorrow; and a conversation with Petersburg Borough Assembly candidate Jeff Meucci.

A digital safety expert is in Petersburg to promote internet-savvy advice; the state is overhauling plans for three state forests to boost revenue from carbon credits; and a conversation with Petersburg Borough Assembly candidate Raleigh Cook.

The Alaska Legislature is one step closer to suing Governor Mike Dunleavy over an executive order; scientists are studying the impact of heatwaves on killer whales; and a conversation with Petersburg Borough Assembly candidate Tony Vinson.

The commercial salmon season in Southeast Alaska is mostly done, and harvests were low for most species; Petersburg's borough assembly tonight will decide on changes to the budget; and a conversation with Petersburg Borough Assembly candidate, Bob Martin.

Southeast Alaska's commercial Dungeness crab fishery will have a full fall season; Juneau's school district is bringing back its free breakfast program; and the Petersburg High School swim season is off to a strong start.

Commercial trollers in Southeast Alaska have another chance to harvest king salmon this week; the Klondike Relay had its biggest year despite multiple obstacles; and Sitka's raptor center re-releases healed bald eagles into the wild after months of care.

Alaska students' test scores made small gains last year; one Ketchikan man has been getting locals to sing sea shanties for decades; and a session at Petersburg's Rainforest Festival taught attendees how to propagate local berries.

More gold deposits have been found at a mine north of Juneau; two community gardens in Sitka want to build food independence in their community; and the first competitive commercial red king crab fishery in eight years is opening in Southeast Alaska.

Contractors in Sitka broke ground on an affordable housing project; Wrangell officials and community members are debating where to put a new barge ramp; and Petersburg's Three Lakes trail system recently got an upgrade.

Researchers mapped where ship traffic overlaps with seabirds migrating through Alaska's waters to pinpoint collision risk; a local coalition is hosting a sober social event in Petersburg tonight; and after three decades at KFSK, Tom Abbott has retired.

A subset of cruise ships in Alaska have been violating federal pollution limits; a state agency wants a judge to throw out a lawsuit over Alaska's SNAP backlog, and a look at Petersburg's high school cross country season so far.

Logistical challenges are making it hard to replace the state's oldest ferry; the ferry LeConte broke down over the weekend; and a change in reading curriculum is boosting elementary reading scored in Petersburg.

One Petersburg business is helping school children in need afford new shoes; the Tongass roadless rule is on the chopping block again; and a conversation with Petersburg's new secondary special education teacher.

Wrangell's police department gained an intern over the summer; tanning sea otter hides has become more time consuming for Alaska Native craftspeople; and a conversation with Petersburg's newest elementary school counselor.