KBBI Newscast

The Homer Transfer Facility won't open on Sundays this winter; Alaska residents and visitors can now find information about tsunami hazards and evacuation routes in one place, on a new interactive map; a third dead beluga whale has been reported in Cook Inlet in just a matter of days; and South Peninsula Behavioral Health Center is holding the Lumberjack Ball: a fundraiser to support the health services Teen Center.

Fat Bear Week has a new weighty winner – and it's a bear who became famous as a cub for hitching rides on his mama's back; and the use of artificial intelligence in Alaska and proposals to build data centers in the state to support AI have certainly been the *subject* of news stories, amid a global AI boom. But, since earlier this year, the state has seen news stories generated *by* AI, under the authorship of AI agents developed by the humans behind AlaskaNews.com.

Fat Bear Week has a new weighty winner – and it's a bear who became famous as a cub for hitching rides on his mama's back; and the use of artificial intelligence in Alaska and proposals to build data centers in the state to support AI have certainly been the *subject* of news stories, amid a global AI boom. But, since earlier this year, the state has seen news stories generated *by* AI, under the authorship of AI agents developed by the humans behind AlaskaNews.com.

The City of Homer held a “Float Plane Traffic Community Conversation” on Tuesday evening at Kachemak Bay campus to bring together community members and plane operators to discuss topics of concern related to plane traffic on Beluga Lake in Homer.

The City of Homer held a “Float Plane Traffic Community Conversation” on Tuesday evening at Kachemak Bay campus to bring together community members and plane operators to discuss topics of concern related to plane traffic on Beluga Lake in Homer.

At their last meeting, Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly members gave initial approval to a proposal that would double the length of time that must elapse between when the group appoints a new member, versus when someone is elected to the vacancy; and for the fourth summer in a row, the Kenai River has been closed outright to sportfishing for both king salmon runs.

The Homer City Council voted unanimously last night against changing how sales taxes are collected on short-term rentals while advancing a measure that would let residents trap feral rabbits; and at their last meeting, Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly members gave initial approval to a proposal that would double the length of time that must elapse between when the group appoints a new member, versus when someone is elected to the vacancy.

The Homer City Council voted unanimously last night against changing how sales taxes are collected on short-term rentals while advancing a measure that would let residents trap feral rabbits; and two Norwegian filmmakers are planning Alaska showings of their full-length documentary about homelessness in Anchorage.

Two Norwegian filmmakers are planning Alaska showings of their full-length documentary about homelessness in Anchorage.

The city of Homer changed how the public finds its meeting agendas; and Homer High School's 2026 Homecoming celebration took place, September 14th through the 19th.

The city of Homer changed how the public finds its meeting agendas; and Homer High School's 2026 Homecoming celebration took place last week, September 14th through the 19th.

The Homer Port and Harbor Advisory Commission opened its yearly review of city harbor rates at its meeting last night; Homer City Council members vote Monday on an ordinance that would put Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms in charge of collecting the city's sales tax, instead of leaving it to individual hosts; and the Gulf of Alaska is particularly vulnerable to the effects of events like marine heatwaves and El Niños, which can devastate its lucrative fisheries. But a new study has found El Niños can offer some benefits to the Gulf.

The Homer Port and Harbor Advisory Commission opened its yearly review of city harbor rates at its meeting last night; Homer City Council members vote Monday on an ordinance that would put Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms in charge of collecting the city's sales tax, instead of leaving it to individual hosts; and the Gulf of Alaska is particularly vulnerable to the effects of events like marine heatwaves and El Niños, which can devastate its lucrative fisheries. But a new study has found El Niños can offer some benefits to the Gulf.

It's Fat Bear Week. The brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve have gotten really chubby this summer. Now, you can vote for your favorite heavyset hopeful; and a Funny River man faces murder charges in connection to human remains found in Soldotna earlier this year.

It's Fat Bear Week. The brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve have gotten really chubby this summer. Now, you can vote for your favorite heavyset hopeful; and a Funny River man faces murder charges in connection to human remains found in Soldotna earlier this year.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on last month's plane crash in Seldovia that killed all four people on board; and Homer Council on the Arts offers a new version of a collaborative community arts performance: Homer Rising.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on last month's plane crash in Seldovia that killed all four people on board; and Homer Council on the Arts offers a new version of a collaborative community arts performance: Homer Rising.

The Homer Public Library held an open house to celebrate 20 years since the opening of their building on Hazel Avenue; and Kodiak's legislator in the Alaska Senate is wrapping up his 26th year in state politics, which he has said is his last.

The Homer Public Library held an open house to celebrate 20 years since the opening of their building on Hazel Avenue; and Kodiak's legislator in the Alaska Senate is wrapping up his 26th year in state politics, which he has said is his last.

New state standardized testing results show Kenai Peninsula students are making slow but steady gains in math and reading proficiency; and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly advanced two pieces of legislation last week that target weather modification.

New state standardized testing results show Kenai Peninsula students are making slow but steady gains in math and reading proficiency; and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly advanced two pieces of legislation Tuesday that target weather modification.

Alaska State Troopers say the pilot and only occupant of a plane that crashed Sunday in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge survived with minor injuries; and top U.S. Coast Guard officials visited Seward on Monday to tour the future home of two major ships.

Homer Council on the Arts recently presented their 2026 community art awards to local individuals in several categories. The Mary Epperson Arts Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Dave Webster.

The city of Seldovia and Alaska State Parks are urging people to secure attractants and use caution amid high bear activity; and Homer Council on the Arts recently presented their 2026 community art awards to local individuals in several categories. The Mary Epperson Arts Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Dave Webster.

The city of Seldovia and Alaska State Parks are urging people to secure attractants and use caution amid high bear activity; and Homer's Jaclyn Arndt completed a solo bike trip from the Arctic to Homer finishing at Land's End on the evening of August 4th.

The Homer City Council introduced ordinances Monday night funding a new hiking trail and the next phase of a major harbor expansion project; and Homer's Jaclyn Arndt completed a solo bike trip from the Arctic to Homer finishing at Land's End on the evening of August 4th.

A program that helps people restore their private riverbanks is accepting applications through the end of September; and the Homer City Council introduced ordinances Monday night funding a new hiking trail and the next phase of a major harbor expansion project.

A program that helps people restore their private riverbanks is accepting applications through the end of September.

The Homer City Clerk's office is holding an informational meeting Wednesday for city residents interested in running for mayor or city council; the Homer City Council scheduled three ordinances for public comment at its meeting tonight, including funding work to replace a failed culvert; and Alaskans love salmon, and around this time each year, thousands of residents flock to the Kenai Peninsula from across the state to fill their freezers dipnetting for reds. But, how much is that experience worth to households?

The Homer City Clerk's office is holding an informational meeting Wednesday for city residents interested in running for mayor or city council; the Homer City Council scheduled three ordinances for public comment at its meeting Monday night, including funding work to replace a failed culvert; and Alaskans love salmon, and around this time each year, thousands of residents flock to the Kenai Peninsula from across the state to fill their freezers dipnetting for reds. But, how much is that experience worth to households?

Homer Fire Chief Daniel Jager provided a press release to KBBI with details related to the Wednesday evening fire at Boardwalk Fish and Chips on the Homer Spit; and Pier One Theatre opens Sense and Sensibility directed by Katia Holmes and a cast of about 20 people this weekend with shows starting on Friday and running through August 22nd.

Homer Fire Chief Daniel Jager provided a press release to KBBI with details related to the Wednesday evening fire at Boardwalk Fish and Chips on the Homer Spit; and Pier One Theatre opens Sense and Sensibility directed by Katia Holmes and a cast of about 20 people this weekend with shows starting on Friday and running through August 22nd.

Seward's 71st annual silver salmon derby will open on August 8th; and republican leaders in the U.S. Senate are trying to round up the votes to confirm Todd Blanche, President Trump's pick for attorney general, and all eyes are on Alaska's senior Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly met in Homer last night, extending a grace period for solid waste haulers and approving nearly $1.8 million in spending. Members also declared a seat vacant and introduced several capital projects; and Seward's 71st annual silver salmon derby will open on August 8th.

A cruise ship is anchored off the Homer Spit today; and the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is considering limits on how much time students can spend using screens in classrooms.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports mixed fishing conditions across the southern Kenai Peninsula; the Homer City Council Monday awarded a $369,469 contract to RESPEC Engineering Services Company to design repairs for flood damage at the Homer Municipal Airport Terminal Building; and Homer Public Library will have closure days next week while contractors upgrade the group meeting room at the front entrance of the library.

An Anchorage couple say reckless behavior on a Kenai beach is responsible for the death of their service dog, who was hit by a speeding ATV earlier this month; a salvage team is expected to clean up the wreckage of a grounded ship near St. George Island next month; and Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska on Kodiak Island could see up to 18 government launches over the next two years.

An Anchorage couple say reckless behavior on a Kenai beach is responsible for the death of their service dog, who was hit by a speeding ATV earlier this month; a salvage team is expected to clean up the wreckage of a grounded ship near St. George Island next month; and Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska on Kodiak Island could see up to 18 government launches over the next two years.

The City of Seward wants to turn the town's shuttered middle school into a community recreation center; and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game hosts a youth fishing zone for persons 15 years of age or younger at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on August 1st.

A new mockumentary is coming to Homer tonight, built around the niche world of freestyle canoeing; and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game hosts a youth fishing zone for persons 15 years of age or younger at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on August 1st.

A new mockumentary is coming to Homer tonight, built around the niche world of freestyle canoeing; and a week long theater camp, Broadway Bootcamp, coordinated by Homer's Jim Anderson will begin next Monday, August 3rd, and finish with a community performance on August 8th.

The Homer City council last night heard from nearly a dozen residents about the future of the Homer pool; and a week long theater camp, Broadway Bootcamp, coordinated by Homer's Jim Anderson will begin next Monday, August 3rd, and finish with a community performance on August 8th.

The Homer City council last night heard from nearly a dozen residents about the future of the Homer pool; Southcentral Alaska's largest natural gas utility is asking state regulators to reconsider their decision on a project that would've expanded natural gas storage; and Michael Hicks is resigning from the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, effective Aug. 4.

Southcentral Alaska's largest natural gas utility is asking state regulators to reconsider their decision on a project that would've expanded natural gas storage.

There are less sockeye salmon in the Kenai River than expected this summer, only a year after 2025's record run; and a road used as an unofficial Kenai River access point in Sterling will stay open to the public.

There are less sockeye salmon in the Kenai River than expected this summer, only a year after 2025's record run; and a road used as an unofficial Kenai River access point in Sterling will stay open to the public.

Opioid overdose reversal kits, lidocaine and HIV tests are just some of the items you can now get from a vending machine in Seward; and Alaska Airlines canceled 10 flights statewide Wednesday because of ash drifting over the state from an erupting volcano on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Opioid overdose reversal kits, lidocaine and HIV tests are just some of the items you can now get from a vending machine in Seward; and Alaska Airlines canceled 10 flights statewide Wednesday because of ash drifting over the state from an erupting volcano on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

State lawmakers have ordered their professional, nonpartisan auditors to examine the Alaska Board of Fisheries' procedural actions going back to October 2023; and former Homer resident Erin Cline will give an author talk and book signing event hosted at the Homer Public Library on the evening of Thursday July 23rd.

Heavy rain triggered a small landslide Sunday that closed a section of Beach Access Road in Ninilchik; Seward Arts Council is offering a week-long music camp to Seward youth ending in a performance that will take place at the Resurrection Lutheran Church on Friday, July 24th at 1:30 PM; and a Soldotna High School alum will be the next director of Kenai Peninsula College.

The state Office of History and Archaeology is accepting applications for two grants that support Alaska's maritime history; and it's likely that Alaska and, really, the rest of the globe will see a very strong El Niño climate pattern this fall and winter.