KBBI's News Department brings you the latest news from Kachemak Bay, the Kenai Peninsula, and Alaska. Updated weekday mornings and afternoons.

Earlier this month, Kodiak's state legislators gave the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly a reality check on the state's financial status.

The Homer City Council will take public comment Monday on whether to put funds toward a new community recreation fund; and the Trump administration, reverting to a decision during the prior Trump presidency, is again advancing the Ambler Road project in Northwest Alaska, to help mining interests.

The Homer City Council will take public comment Monday on whether to put funds toward a new community recreation fund; and the Trump administration, reverting to a decision during the prior Trump presidency, is again advancing the Ambler Road project in Northwest Alaska, to help mining interests.

Although opioid overdose death rates have declined throughout the country over the past two years, Alaska's rates remain high; and Alaskans will not receive SNAP, or food stamp, benefits for November, according to the state division of public assistance.

Although opioid overdose death rates have declined throughout the country over the past two years, Alaska's rates remain high; and Alaskans will not receive SNAP, or food stamp, benefits for November, according to the state division of public assistance.

Anglers who purchased an Alaska sports fishing license in 2025 may soon receive a copy of the 2025 Alaska Sport Fishing Survey, according to an Oct. 22 press release; the float running parallel to the beach at Jakolof Bay Dock is no longer usable, according to a Tuesday, Oct. 21 public notice from the City of Seldovia, although boaters will still be able to access the beach from the approach; and dozens of communities in Western Alaska are working to restore essential infrastructure and repair damaged homes after the remnants of Typhoon Halong devastated coastal communities. But one stands out.

Anglers who purchased an Alaska sports fishing license in 2025 may soon receive a copy of the 2025 Alaska Sport Fishing Survey, according to an Oct. 22 press release; the float running parallel to the beach at Jakolof Bay Dock is no longer usable, according to a Tuesday, Oct. 21 public notice from the City of Seldovia, although boaters will still be able to access the beach from the approach; and dozens of communities in Western Alaska are working to restore essential infrastructure and repair damaged homes after the remnants of Typhoon Halong devastated coastal communities. But one stands out.

A Homer community member is helping organize donations for evacuees from Western Alaska's coastal villages after Typhoon Halong forced them to relocate to Anchorage and other communities; a rescued walrus from the Alaska SeaLife Center will appear on public television this week; and although voting for fat bear week in Katmai National Park closed last month, Juneau's black bears are really starting to pack on the pounds to keep from starving during hibernation — and they're going for whatever they can find.

Former State Sen. and 2026 gubernatorial hopeful Tom Begich kicked off a statewide listening tour on the Kenai Peninsula last weekend.

Former State Sen. and 2026 gubernatorial hopeful Tom Begich kicked off a statewide listening tour on the Kenai Peninsula last weekend.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members are getting a raise for the first time in more than 25 years. That's after the group unanimously approved the change Tuesday. An iconic opossum who hitched a ride to Alaska on a shipping container from Washington state died on Saturday, according to a statement from the Alaska Zoo. The City of Kenai has a new mayor after swearing in former Vice Mayor Henry Knackstedt during Wednesday's city council meeting.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members are getting a raise for the first time in more than 25 years. That's after the group unanimously approved the change Tuesday. An iconic opossum who hitched a ride to Alaska on a shipping container from Washington state died on Saturday, according to a statement from the Alaska Zoo. The City of Kenai has a new mayor after swearing in former Vice Mayor Henry Knackstedt during Wednesday's city council meeting.

Mayor Rachel Lord provided an update on erosion along Homer Spit Road during the Homer City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 13. The Homer City Council approved the hiring of Daniel Jager as fire chief for the Homer Volunteer Fire Department during their meeting on Monday, Oct. 13. The Kenai Peninsula Borough swore in five new assembly members Tuesday, the same night the sitting assembly certified the results of last week's election.

Mayor Rachel Lord provided an update on erosion along Homer Spit Road during the Homer City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 13. The Homer City Council approved the hiring of Daniel Jager as fire chief for the Homer Volunteer Fire Department during their meeting on Monday, Oct. 13. The Kenai Peninsula Borough swore in five new assembly members Tuesday, the same night the sitting assembly certified the results of last week's election.

The editor and most of the reporters at two Kenai Peninsula newspapers have announced their resignations, citing corporate interference in news coverage after a state lawmaker complained about a story. On paper, Soldotna area voters will consider three candidates when they choose a new representative for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during next week's municipal election. The University of Alaska Fairbanks canceled morning classes on Tuesday as police investigated an alleged bomb threat. A subsequent UAF press release said that no explosive devices were found after a search of campus.

The editor and most of the reporters at two Kenai Peninsula newspapers have announced their resignations, citing corporate interference in news coverage after a state lawmaker complained about a story. On paper, Soldotna area voters will consider three candidates when they choose a new representative for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during next week's municipal election. The University of Alaska Fairbanks canceled morning classes on Tuesday as police investigated an alleged bomb threat. A subsequent UAF press release said that no explosive devices were found after a search of campus.

A Homer Republican state representative is declaring victory after pressuring the local newspaper to revise a story about a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk. The Alaska LNG Project netted two more agreements earlier this month during an energy conference in Italy.

A Homer Republican state representative is declaring victory after pressuring the local newspaper to revise a story about a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk. The Alaska LNG Project netted two more agreements earlier this month during an energy conference in Italy.

It's been almost eight months since contract negotiations kicked off between the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and its two largest employee unions, this month the district proposed financial packages that cover employee raises and health insurance; and President Donald Trump announced plans to increase the cost of some types of work visas last week.

It's been almost eight months since contract negotiations kicked off between the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and its two largest employee unions, this month the district proposed financial packages that cover employee raises and health insurance; and President Donald Trump announced plans to increase the cost of some types of work visas last week.

Alaska State Troopers shot and killed a wanted man in Anchor Point Wednesday; the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen Advisory Council met in Cordova, Alaska; and the Exit Glacier Trail in Seward is closed until further notice after two people were attacked by a brown bear while hiking Wednesday.

Alaska State Troopers shot and killed a wanted man in Anchor Point Wednesday; the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen Advisory Council met in Cordova, Alaska; and the Exit Glacier Trail in Seward is closed until further notice after two people were attacked by a brown bear while hiking Wednesday.

The University of Alaska's Teaching Through Technology Program will join the Kenai Peninsula School District's Career and Technical Education program to provide Alaska Maritime Career workshops this fall; and absentee in-person voting is underway for Oct. 7 municipal elections.

The University of Alaska's Teaching Through Technology Program will join the Kenai Peninsula School District's Career and Technical Education program to provide Alaska Maritime Career workshops this fall; and absentee in-person voting is underway for Oct. 7 municipal elections.

The latest ice breaker to join the Coast Guard fleet, the cutter Storis, arrived in Kodiak last weekend. Kodiak's pink salmon harvest is at its third largest ever this year. Alaska is home to 16 national wildlife refuges and their programs have been hampered by Trump administration staffing cuts in the last eight months.

The Homer City Council adopted its 2026-to-2031 capital improvement plan and introduced funding measures for several water projects last night. Kodiak's pink salmon harvest is at its third largest ever this year. Alaska is home to 16 national wildlife refuges and their programs have been hampered by Trump administration staffing cuts in the last eight months.

Kodiak's Sun'aq Tribe announced last week that it was awarded more than two million dollars for mariculture processing at its current seafood plant; this year's Permanent Fund Dividend will be exactly $1,000; lawyers are trading arguments in a case challenging the state's failure to process applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on time; and the Homer City Council adopted its 2026-to-2031 capital improvement plan and introduced funding measures for several water projects last night.

Kodiak's Sun'aq Tribe announced last week that it was awarded more than two million dollars for mariculture processing at its current seafood plant; this year's Permanent Fund Dividend will be exactly $1,000; and lawyers are trading arguments in a case challenging the state's failure to process applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on time.

Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday evening on the Homer Spit to remember Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA who was assassinated last week in Utah; and commercial fishing reopened near the Kodiak Archipelago's largest salmon hatchery after a fishing boat spilled over 3,000 gallons of diesel in the area.

Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday evening on the Homer Spit to remember Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA who was assassinated last week in Utah; and commercial fishing reopened near the Kodiak Archipelago's largest salmon hatchery after a fishing boat spilled over 3,000 gallons of diesel in the area.

Kenai Peninsula students overall made gains in reading and math according to newly published standardized testing data; the brown bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve have been packing on the pounds this summer – and starting Tuesday, you can vote online for the chunkiest bear in the annual Fat Bear Week competition; and former Alaska attorney general Treg Taylor filed to join the 2026 race for governor this week.

Kenai Peninsula students overall made gains in reading and math according to newly published standardized testing data; the brown bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve have been packing on the pounds this summer – and starting Tuesday, you can vote online for the chunkiest bear in the annual Fat Bear Week competition; and former Alaska attorney general Treg Taylor filed to join the 2026 race for governor this week.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly passed measures on emergency response upgrades and more at its meeting last night; and the Bunnell Street Arts Center brings thespians and puppeteers from Sandglass Theater, a performance venue in Putney, Vermont to Homer as artists in residence for September and October with a performance of their work “Feral” at Pier One Theatre from September 19th-21st.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly passed measures on emergency response upgrades and more at its meeting last night; and the Bunnell Street Arts Center brings thespians and puppeteers from Sandglass Theater, a performance venue in Putney, Vermont to Homer as artists in residence for September and October with a performance of their work “Feral” at Pier One Theatre from September 19th-21st.

Homer High School held their annual homecoming football game last Saturday with a week of events leading up to the game; and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly passed measures on emergency response upgrades and more at its meeting last night.

With enrollment surging above pre-pandemic levels, Kenai Peninsula College is reopening its dorm next semester. The Kachemak Bay Campus begins their 14th year as host of the Semester by the Bay program.

With enrollment surging above pre-pandemic levels, Kenai Peninsula College is reopening its dorm next semester. The Kachemak Bay Campus begins their 14th year as host of the Semester by the Bay program.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will assemble a 12-person team to study and make recommendations about school consolidation; and on Thursday, September 4th, High School social studies teacher Lucas Parsley coordinated a visit to the museum with freshman students for their first event with the semester's history class collection research and micro-exhibit project.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will assemble a 12-person team to study and make recommendations about school consolidation; and on Thursday, September 4th, High School social studies teacher Lucas Parsley coordinated a visit to the museum with freshman students for their first event with the semester's history class collection research and micro-exhibit project.

Rising home costs and a short renters market has made finding housing a challenge for some Kenai Peninsula residents. But a number of local groups are working to increase access to available and affordable homes in the area. Homer's Pratt Museum opened the fall with an exhibit titled “World on Fire” with oil paintings and sculpture created by Geoffry Smith. KBBI's Emilie Springer attended a tour with some high school students.

Rising home costs and a short renters market has made finding housing a challenge for some Kenai Peninsula residents. But a number of local groups are working to increase access to available and affordable homes in the area. Homer's Pratt Museum opened the fall with an exhibit titled “World on Fire” with oil paintings and sculpture created by Geoffry Smith. KBBI's Emilie Springer attended a tour with some high school students.

Alaska State Troopers say a 27-year-old crew member from the Kenai Peninsula died last week while working aboard a commercial fishing vessel in the Aleutian Islands; a month after state lawmakers overrode a gubernatorial veto of education funding, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is restoring some of the budget cuts it implemented earlier this year; and Homer's Alaska World Arts Festival, produced and coordinated by Sally Oberstein, returns to the community for the 7th year.

Alaska State Troopers say a 27-year-old crew member from the Kenai Peninsula died last week while working aboard a commercial fishing vessel in the Aleutian Islands; a month after state lawmakers overrode a gubernatorial veto of education funding, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is restoring some of the budget cuts it implemented earlier this year; and Homer's Alaska World Arts Festival, produced and coordinated by Sally Oberstein, returns to the community for the 7th year.

The Homer City Council passed funding for harbor lighting, awarded a culvert replacement contract, and more at its meeting last night; and as the adage goes, there's no place like home. But in recent years, finding that place on the Kenai Peninsula has been a challenge for some residents.

The Homer City Council passed funding for harbor lighting, awarded a culvert replacement contract, and more at its meeting last night; and as the adage goes, there's no place like home. But in recent years, finding that place on the Kenai Peninsula has been a challenge for some residents.

On Saturday evening, following the Bunnell First Friday opening, the gallery hosted an Arctic Refuge: Art and Advocacy talk with Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges; and the Homer City Council passed funding for harbor lighting, awarded a culvert replacement contract, and more at its meeting last night.

On Saturday evening, following the Bunnell First Friday opening, the gallery hosted an Arctic Refuge: Art and Advocacy talk with Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges.

A Kenai superior court judge earlier this month declined to dismiss the state's case against a former Alaska State Trooper facing a felony assault charge; and Homer's Christina Whiting provided a preview of shows for the Homer News and additional background details for her own show.

A Kenai superior court judge earlier this month declined to dismiss the state's case against a former Alaska State Trooper facing a felony assault charge; and Homer's Christina Whiting provided a preview of shows for the Homer News and additional background details for her own show.

Homer's American Legion Post 16, known as General Buckner Post 16, will socially celebrate their 80th year commemoration of the post on September 6th; and an oil spill from a grounded fishing vessel was reported near a salmon hatchery in the Kodiak Archipelago on Monday morning.

Homer's American Legion Post 16, known as General Buckner Post 16, will socially celebrate their 80th year commemoration of the post on September 6th; and an oil spill from a grounded fishing vessel was reported near a salmon hatchery in the Kodiak Archipelago on Monday morning.