Podcasts about juneau

In this newscast: The state of Alaska is delaying construction on the first phase of a controversial ferry terminal proposed to connect Juneau and Haines, due to a permitting issue; Alaska youth and advocates are calling on lawmakers to create a statewide fund for suicide prevention by charging a small fee on Alaskans' monthly phone bills; The Juneau School District's teachers union voted to authorize a strike earlier this week amid ongoing contract negotiations; The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council has had new leadership for a few months now, and that has come with some changes; The state ferry Lituya will soon begin daily ferry service between Ketchikan and Annette Bay.

The state ferry Lituya will soon begin 7-day-a-week ferry service between Ketchikan and Annette Bay. Plus, Alaska Seaplanes announces it will implement a temporary fuel surcharge due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. And, this winter in Juneau differs from a trend that climate change has caused winter in Alaska's largest cities to warm more dramatically than other major U.S. cities.

In this newscast: Alaska Seaplanes announced this week that it would be implementing a 6% temporary fuel surcharge on fares beginning Friday. The company cites a nearly 40% increase in fuel costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East; The City and Borough of Juneau plans to move into a new City Hall by the end of this year. That means the current building could be up for sale in the coming months; Voting begins Wednesday for University of Alaska staff across the state to decide on forming a union. The group is called the Coalition of Alaska University Employees for Equity; Climate change has caused winter in Alaska's largest cities to warm more dramatically than other major cities across the U.S. But as KTOO's Alix Soliman reports, this winter in Juneau doesn't match the overall trend; The filing deadline for this year's Alaska Permanent Fund dividend is March 31, and if Rep. Nick Begich III has his way, this year's dividend will be tax free.

In this newscast: The Alaska Board of Fisheries is meeting today through Saturday in Anchorage to consider changes to statewide finfish fisheries; Juneau's city-owned cold weather emergency shelter may soon start accepting patrons year-round instead of closing its doors in mid-April; The Juneau School District's student services director is resigning at the end of June; For Tongass Voices, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cassie Lumba talks about winning Alaska's Poetry Out Loud competition and the power of words.

Prosecutors in South Dakota have dismissed charges against an Indigenous rights advocate. South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s CJ Keene reports. Charges stemming from a 2022 incident against Nick Tilsen, CEO and founder of NDN Collective, were dropped. In a statement, Tilsen said, “my freedom wasn't granted by a judge, a jury, or the settler colonial court system. My freedom was won by the people, the movement, and the ancestors.” Tilsen faced more than 25 years in prison, originally facing charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and obstruction. Ultimately, the trial resulted in a hung jury. Tilsen maintained his innocence throughout, saying the incident was an effort to watch an interaction between police and an Indigenous member of the Rapid City, S.D. community. NDN Collective spokespeople had contended the charges were excessive. In the same statement, representatives describe them as, “blatantly politically motivated effort to silence a movement leader by criminalizing his actions.” In response, Pennington County State's Attorney said, “the decision to dismiss this case was made after careful review and thoughtful consideration.” The office adds they stand by the charging decision. “While we believe the case was properly charged and presented, the jury's inability to reach a verdict was an important factor in evaluating whether further prosecution would serve the interest of justice.” A nearly empty critical care unit at Bartlett Hospital on April 7, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo: Rashah McChesney / KTOO) Alaska will receive about $1 billion from the federal government over the next few years to improve healthcare, but millions of that depends on the legislature passing several bills aligning Alaska with best practices for rural healthcare. Alaska Native people are much more likely to live in rural areas than other Alaskans. As Alaska Public Media's Rachel Cassandra reports, a proposal to make it easier for out-of-state nurses to practice in Alaska is facing fierce pushback. When you boil it down, Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association head Jared Kosin says joining a so-called license compact is pretty simple. He says there would be a set of criteria nurses would demonstrate. “And if they do, then they are issued a license and then they can practice in any states that use those same standards.” Proponents say joining a compact would help ease a nurse shortage across the state that is projected to worsen. Kosin says it may be simple to explain, but actually getting a bill passed to join the nurse licensure compact has been anything but. “It’s just so snagged up in politics.” The last version of the bill was introduced in 2023. It was supported by most healthcare organizations in the state, but it was opposed by nursing unions. He says that created a toxic dynamic. And this year there is new pressure on the legislature thanks to the Rural Health Transformation Program. When the Alaska Department of Health (DOH) applied for the money, it told the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the state would join the compact. The state has been directed by CMS to create compacts for other health care positions too: physicians, emergency medical services, psychologists, and physician assistants. The DOH does not know exactly how much money would be clawed back if Alaska does not pass all the required legislation, but a DOH official wrote over email that a ballpark estimate is that millions of dollars is at stake annually and tens of millions of dollars over the five years of rural funding. Shannon Davenport is a union leader and a nurse. She says there are many problems with the nursing field right now, especially workplace safety, and she doesn't think the nursing compact is the solution to them. “It’s not the golden goose. It’s not the answer to everything.” Even so, most nurses support a compact — almost 90% of nurses living in Alaska, according to a 2023 survey. The federal deadline to join the compact is at the end of 2027. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – Re-enactors help bring Native American perspective of the Revolutionary War to life

In this newscast: Juneau residents will have multiple opportunities this week to provide feedback about how and where they'd like to see changes to better the capital city's roadways for all users; After months of on-an-off closures and limited services, the city's recycling center will be back to operating at full capacity and regular hours starting tomorrow; A bill meant to protect Alaskans from drinking water contaminated with PFAS had its first committee hearing last week; The fate of a closely watched budget bill in the Alaska Legislature is back up in the air, after House Republicans declined to back a supermajority vote that would have funded the bill from savings

In this newscast: This upcoming cruise ship tourism season will be the first time Juneau has a daily passenger cap -- numbers that came through negotiations between the city and the cruise lines; It has now been more than a month since a Juneau man who had been staying at a local shelter for unhoused people was last seen by staff; Negotiations between the City and Borough of Juneau and the local chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters have stalled out after more than a year; In Juneau this week, youth from across the state presented films they made highlighting the impacts of climate change and other environmental issues where they live; After weeks of voting, Sitkans have finally chosen a name for the Sitka Sound Science Center's newest Giant Pacific Octopus. 

In this newscast: The Juneau School Board approved its budget for next year on Tuesday. The district will be able to maintain services but there are still funding uncertainties; A former Juneau school board member submitted what current board members called "disparaging comments" to be engraved on fundraising bricks for a new school playground in Lemon Creek; Alaska Congressman Nick Begich urged the state Legislature to be bold with policies to encourage resource development on Tuesday; A high-profile budget bill that would unlock hundreds of millions in government construction projects across Alaska took a step forward in the state Legislature yesterday

In this newscast: The Juneau School Board selected Shawn Arnold to be the district's next superintendent. He was one of three finalists for the position and the only current district employee; The Juneau Assembly has decided to postpone a vote on whether to disempower Eaglecrest Ski Area's board of directors for at least six months; A bill that would change the scope of an Alaska sexual assault law had its first committee hearing yesterday. Democratic Juneau Rep. Sara Hannan's bill, introduced this year, would alter a law that specifically criminalizes sexual assault by a medical provider; Animal Care and Control in Anchorage is designed to hold about 150 animals. But right now, there are nearly 250

An interview with gubernatorial candidate Tom Begich. Plus, the Juneau school board selects its superintendent.

Who brutally raped and murdered James and Anne Benolken in their Juneau apartment in 1982? Nearly four decades later, many questions remain unanswered. Sources Starr, Douglas. 12-1-2013. Do police interrogation techniques produce false confessions? Episode 4: The Benolken Murders, the police investigation and Special Agent Malone Leo Helmar. Murder Alaska Episode 2: Introduction to the Benolken Case. Available at: Episode 3: About the brutal murders of James and Anne Benolken in Juneau, Alaska in 1982 Who Really Murdered the Benolkens? KTOO Public Media Juneau man wants DNA tested, seeks review of nearly 30-year old homicide conviction. KTOO Public Media. Integrity of preserved evidence from Benolken double homicide is questioned Court to issue opinion on possible DNA testing in decades-old Juneau homicide. KTOO Public Media. Matt Miller. Juneau, Alaska (KINY) The Alaska Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling denying DNA evidence in the case of Newton Patric Lambert Friday Saturday, November 17th, 2018 8:13 Who is Michael P. Malone? Corrupt F.B.I. Agent's Testimony Sent Innocent Man to Prison; Donald Eugene Gates was Convicted of Rape-Murder He Did Not Commit. ____________ Join the Last Frontier Club’s Free Tier ______ Robin Barefield lives in the wilderness on Kodiak Island, where she and her husband own a remote lodge. She has a master's degree in fish and wildlife biology and is a wildlife-viewing and fishing guide. Robin has published six novels: Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman's Daughter, Karluk Bones, Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge, and The Ultimate Hunt. She has also published two non-fiction books: Kodiak Island Wildlife and Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. She draws on her love and appreciation of the Alaska wilderness as well as her scientific background when writing. Robin invites you to join her at her website: https://robinbarefield.com, and while you are there, sign up for her free monthly newsletter about true crime in Alaska. Robin also narrates a podcast, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. You can find it at: https://murder-in-the-last-frontier.blubrry.net Subscribe to Robin’s free, monthly Murder and Mystery Newsletter for more stories about true crime and mystery from Alaska. Join her on: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Visit her website at http://robinbarefield.com Check out her books at Amazon Send me an email: robinbarefield76@gmail.com ___________________________________________________________________________________ Would you like to support Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier? Become a patron and join The Last Frontier Club. Each month, Robin will provide one or more of the following to club members. · An extra episode of Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier is available only for club members. Behind-the-scenes glimpses of life and wildlife in the Kodiak wilderness. · Breaking news about ongoing murder cases and new crimes in Alaska ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Merchandise! Visit the Store                    

Send a textEdgar Ruiz is the Director of the Council of State Governments West. The Council of State Governments (CSG), is a nonpartisan national organization that connects and informs all three branches of state government to help bring forth best practices. CSG is divided into four regions, and Alaska is part of the Western region. Edgar Ruiz has been the director of CSG west since 2011. He grew up in southern California on the border with Mexico and began with CSG in 2002 managing American-Mexican programs. CSG West runs a training program for new legislators called the Western Leadership Academy (WLA). This interview took place in Juneau while Edgar was visiting the state capitol as part of his duties as Director of CSG West.

In this newscast: Social service providers in Juneau say they're worried about fallout if the Juneau Assembly decides to cut city funding to some of Juneau's most critical social services; The Juneau Assembly decided Monday to sign an agreement with the federal government for a buyout of View Drive, the street hit hardest by annual glacial outburst funding; A trial date for a lawsuit between the Juneau School District and its support staff union won't be decided on for another six months; Alaska students could have a new graduation requirement in the not-too-distant-future. The Alaska Senate unanimously passed a bill Monday that would mandate a new civics course or exam for high-schoolers starting in 2027; About three dozen sled dog teams are on the thousand-mile Iditarod Trail to Nome as part of this year's race, and thousands of people around the world are following along. Some of the spectators are kids participating in the IditaRead Challenge, and as Alaska Public Media's Ava White reports, that includes Anchorage students counting each minute spent with a book as a mile on the trail.

The Ketchikan School Board will vote on a reduction in force plan that includes the closure of two schools and cutting over 40 staff positions.Plus, social service providers in Juneau say they're worried about fallout of Juneau's most critical social services.

A second funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) sought to create a safeguard for tribes getting caught up in immigration crackdowns. Rep. Grijalva has been regularly meeting with tribal leaders from across southern Arizona, like the Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O'odham, and Gila River. She says they are all telling her the same thing. “DHS must consult with tribes. They're not doing it now. This administration doesn't honor sovereignty.” Grijalva proposed an amendment to the funding bill that would have required U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to consult with tribes before conducting immigration enforcement on their land, but her effort to attach that requirement to a DHS funding bill failed. “They're all concerned with the presence of ICE and how they are profiling their members because, you know, they might look like working people who have darker skin.” Meanwhile, Kristi Noem has been ousted by President Donald Trump as DHS secretary. He named U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (Cherokee/R-OK) as her replacement. “Removing Noem doesn't root out the lawlessness at ICE. Maybe leadership style might be different, but the end goal is still the same.” Ketchikan-based artist Savannah LeCornu was selected as this year's poster artist for the Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau, Alaska. (Courtesy Jason Baldwin) Ketchikan, Alaska-based artist Savannah LeCornu was recently selected as this year's poster artist for the Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau. The annual spring event seeks art submissions from Alaska creatives for festival merchandise, including its promotional poster. KRBD's Hunter Morrison sat down with LeCornu to discuss how the opportunity will help expand representation of Indigenous artists throughout Alaska. Hunter Morrison: Can you tell me a little bit about what inspires your work as an artist? Savannah LeCornu: I'm an Indigenous artist. I’m part of three different tribes. I’m Tsimshian, Haida and Nez Perce. So a lot of my inspiration comes from the art styles of my tribes, as well as my family, surroundings, environment, friends, that kind of thing. HM: Can you tell me a little bit more about what mediums of art you specialize in? SL: Yeah. So mainly I draw and I paint. I do a lot of traditional drawing, but I also do digital drawing as well. So, working with Procreate on my iPad. And then I also do painting, mainly acrylic, but I have done watercolor here and there. HM: You were selected as this year’s poster artist for the Alaska Folk Festival. Do you have a design yet for that poster? Or, do you have ideas of what that design might look like? SL: I don’t know how secret they are with it. I will say my inspirations were some of my favorite musicians in Alaska, as well as the northern lights. HM: How will this opportunity expand not only your work as an artist, but expand the celebration of Indigenous people and Indigenous art? SL: Wow, what a great question. What I’m hoping for with being the artist for this year’s folk fest is that my art gets started to be seen more widely throughout Alaska. I will say it’s not my most obvious Indigenous design. I will say all of my art inherently becomes Indigenous because I am Indigenous, but at the same time, there’s no form line in it. There’s no traditional Native art in it for this design. But I still hope that means that people look into my own art and see more of what I do, and that people just explore more of it. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Tuesday, March 10, 2026 – Elections watchers prepare for Midterm complications

In this newscast: The Juneau Assembly will vote tonight on whether to appropriate nearly $500,000 to Dzantik'i Heeni Playground Capital Improvement Project; A team of specialists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory stopped by Sitka to do some station maintenance work on Mt. Edgecumbe, a volcano on nearby Kruzof Island; British Columbia is proposing to limit U.S.-based Tribes from government consultations related to environmental projects; Juneau singer-songwriter Taylor Dallas Vidic's first album delves into relationships through jazz-folk mashup

Send a textEric Croft is the Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party. Erik was born to Chancey and Toni Croft in Anchorage, but he grew up with his two siblings traveling back and forth to Juneau where their father started in the House and later served in the Senate eventually serving as president. Chancey Croft was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1978. Eric would serve in the Alaska House representing west Anchorage from 1997 to 2006, at which point he too ran for governor, losing the Democratic nomination to former governor Tony Knowles. Eric served as Anchorage School Board President from 2013 to 2016 and served on the Anchorage Assembly from 2016 to 2019. He unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Anchorage in 2009 and 2021. While Eric was in the Alaska House, his minority leader was Ethan Berkowitz. Ethan Berkowitz would go on to be Anchorage mayor while Eric was on the Assembly -- that's the "Ethan" that you hear referenced several times in this episode. During our conversation we discuss the US military and President Trump's quelling of criticism of military operations. This interview was recorded before the United States invaded Iran.     

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about an interesting car ride he took today with Assembly Chair Chris Constant and Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, the recent spike in oil prices due to the war in Iran, an update on what is happening in Juneau.

Jeff was joined by Juneau attorney and politico Joe Geldhof. They discuss a Juneau lobbyist they both know well, the rise in the price of oil after the United States attack on Iran, former Attorney General Craig Richards and his role on the Permanent Fund board, the crowded field in the governor's race, some of the main candidates in the race, who he thinks will make the top four, the Permanent Fund Dividend, and living in Alaska. 

Today on the Morning Edition, the Iditarod is officially underway. The ceremonial start took place on Saturday in Anchorage, followed by the start in Willow on Sunday. We'll bring you the sights and sounds and current leaderboard of teh race so far. Later, Juneau begins work on a major renovation to Marine Park. We'll Let you know what the plans are and how long it may take before you can see those results.

In this newscast: The U.S. Forest Service has announced its public meetings schedule for residents across Southeast to share feedback on a revised Tongass National Forest management plan. The plan will set the agency's priorities for the forest over the next decade or so; Community members had the opportunity to meet and ask questions to the three Juneau schools superintendent finalists during a forum Wednesday night; Researchers are documenting black seaweed across seven communities in Southeast Alaska. They are trying to get a baseline for the seaweed, and to look at whether the important cultural resource should be considered a keystone species; Three Southeast Alaska fishermen have been charged with intentionally sinking their fishing boats in waters near Sitka and Petersburg; The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday against a resolution that would have limited President Trump's power to continue the war on Iran. Nearly all Republicans voted against it , including Sen. Lisa Murkowski

In this newscast: Tribal members spoke out against the state's proposed Cascade Point Ferry Terminal in Juneau at a panel hosted by the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council; A new preliminary cost estimate to install the controversial gondola project at Eaglecrest Ski Area is a staggering $27 million; Skijoring is an exhilarating way to spend time with your dog. Here are 4 tips to get started; Alaska lawmakers are considering another boost to per-student funding for public schools

The City of Craig is asking residents how they would like to see tourism exist in the community. Plus, the Alaska Supreme Court hears arguments on whether prisoners can be forcibly medicated with psychiatric drugs without a court hearing, and a new cost estimate to install a gondola at Juneau's Eaglecrest Ski Area is more than three times higher than originally expected.

A legendary saloon. A piano that defined the room. And a performer some say never truly left. This is the haunting story of Professor Phineas Poon. This episode is a narrative exploration of Alaska's history, culture, and folklore, based on publicly available historical records, oral traditions, and multiple secondary sources. Details are presented for educational and storytelling purposes and may reflect differing historical interpretations. Legends and traditional stories are shared respectfully and in context. This podcast is independently produced and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any historical institution, cultural group, or cruise line. Follow and chat with us live on AmazonLive! at https://www.amazon.com/live/cruisetipstv

In this newscast: The federal government is suing a former chair of Juneau's Docks and Harbors board for nearly $1 million spent to raise his sunken tugboat from Gastineau Channel in 2023; The Juneau School District and its support staff union reached a tentative agreement yesterday, almost one year after both parties initially exchanged proposed contracts; Juneau students have missed four days this school year due to snow. So far, they won't have to make them up; The Juneau School District has one of the oldest school-based hunter education programs in Alaska and its current teacher recently won the state's Hunter Educator of the Year award; Alaska lawmakers are preaching caution as war in Iran and across much of the Middle East pushes oil prices higher

Wisconsin's dairy industry is thriving and always changing. Looking for the "next big thing". Some dairy sheep owners in western Wisconsin hope the next big thing is vodka. From sheep whey. Ben Jarboe gets the story from Scott Kring, Co-owner of Birch Point Distillery in Westby. Thanks to a grant from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), Birch Point Distillery is producing vodka made from sheep whey. Co-owner Scott Cream said the idea came after connecting with Hidden Springs Creamery, a local sheep dairy cheese producer. Traditional distilling uses grains for fermentation, while whey distillation relies on lactose from leftover whey. The whey is first ultrafiltered to remove proteins and fats, leaving a lactose solution. That solution is then concentrated because the natural sugar levels are too low for fermentation. Lactase is added to break lactose into sugars the yeast can ferment. The DBIA grant helped pay for specialized equipment, including a filtration skid not typically used by traditional distillers. Demand for the sheep-whey vodka has grown enough that the distillery now sources whey from more than one sheep dairy. Rain gauges start coming into play beginning today with light showers. Stu Muck says the more measureable amounts will come in Friday's forecast, but temperatures remain above average.Data centers remain in the news for many rural communities in Wisconsin. Sunday, the community of Potosi will act as the gathering spot to learn more about a potential data center in nearby Cassville. Next Tuesday, citizens are asked to join the informational confirmation in Juneau about the progress of a data center in Beaver Dam. This trend is not likely to stop according to Jason Valerius, executive director, Capital Area Regional Planning Commission. He tells Stephanie Hoff that the tools most communities have in place to battle proposed data centers are weak. With population surges in areas like Dane County, the Fox Valley, Eau Claire, LaCrosse and SE WI, land is the critical element of the equation. Farms want to hang on to it, but can't fight the high prices that data centers are offering. Valerius says once that land is dedicated to a data center - it'll always be an urban form. Some communities have been able to fight back.Dairy markets are anxious like the rest of commodities over the US-Israel-Iran war. Jan Prins, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to highlight what products are moving where. The constriction in transportation has forced some buyers to bring product forward for delivery. Will that create a vacuum in the marketplace later this year?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the Morning Edition, the Mat-Su School District is facing a $20 million shortfall, and this may feel familiar to many, as ASD just went through a similar process. Now Mat-Su schools are on the chopping block. We'll bring you the latest on the discussions. Later, weather in Juneau hasn't been sunshien and rainbows lately. Aaron Morrison will break down what we can expect to see in southeast and if they're due for a break from the snow and wet weather anytime soon.

Send a textTo learn more about becoming a foster parent, click here.Landen Ryan is a senior at Service High School in Anchorage. Madison Brewer is a sophomore at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Both Landen and Madison have had extensive experience in Alaska's foster system. This interview happened while they were in Juneau with the non-profit organization Facing Foster Care in Alaska (FFCA). Madison reference my House Bill 157 which would allow siblings to remain legal siblings even after adoption into different households.Warning: this podcast episode contains references to violence and trauma.

In this newscast: The City and Borough of Juneau announced early facilities closures today, since a snowstorm has affected road conditions; The Arctic Winter Games begin Sunday in Whitehorse, and half of Alaska's snowshoe team has been practicing in Juneau; The state has expanded a fishing closure for shrimp in Southeast Alaska to protect the species. Shrimping in Southeast is now closed to all harvesters through the end of April; State lawmakers had some sharp question on Monday for Alaska's Division of Elections about its decision to share the state's full, unredacted voter list with the Department of Justice; The Alaska House unanimously passed a prohibition on AI-generated child sexual abuse material on Friday. But lawmakers vastly expanded the scope of the bill just before passing it, including provisions that would severely limit children's access to social media

In this episode, Olympic athlete Maxime Germain talks about helping the U.S. Olympic 4×7.5 km biathlon relay team record its best finish in history. We discuss his approach to the skiing and shooting elements of biathlon, the European attitude toward biathlon, and his journey from Juneau, to France, to Anchorage before graduating from West Anchorage High School. We also discuss the importance of hobbies (such as knitting) as a break from competition, the need for sponsorships for less popular Olympic sports.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers  

In this newscast: Members of the Juneau community have an opportunity to watch recorded interviews with finalists for Juneau schools superintendent and give feedback to the school board by Thursday; Since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pulled back its decision to design a lake tap that would put a stop to annual glacial outburst flooding in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley, local and congressional leaders have pressed the agency to explain why; Crews are about half way done removing a colossal drilling rig that toppled over on the North Slope; Folk singer-songwriter Willi Carlisle is the guest artist for the 51st annual Alaska Folk Festival in April. KTOO's Yvonne Krumrey spoke with Carlisle about what makes Folk Fest special

It’s election time for the 9 open districts for the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors, so it’s a great time to talk about farmer leadership and their voice. Today, we learn the story of Sandy Madland, a Wisconsin dairy farmer and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board Director. Madland was elected to represent Adams, Juneau, and Monroe counties. As a Director, she helps represent farmers, guide how checkoff dollars are stewarded, and make long-term decisions that support demand for Wisconsin dairy. Madland's story is like many others in Wisconsin. Their family operation in Lyndon Station involves 500 registered Holsteins, and their two sons. Madland's involvement in the boys 4-H projects helped elevate her to county dairy activities, which fed her curiosity about Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Are you ready to step up and be a voice for fellow dairy operators? Madland believes that Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is your checkoff and your voice. Farmer leadership is how we keep Wisconsin dairy strong for the next generation. She says if the DFW Board is not an option, consider running for a leadership position at the county level. Ask questions, bring your voice and advocate for Wisconsin dairy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:State lawmakers had some sharp questions for Alaska's Division of Elections about its decision to share the state's voter list with the Department of Justice. Residents are wondering why the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pulled back its decision to design a lake tap that would put a stop to annual glacial outburst flooding in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley. And in the weeks since federal immigration officials detained and deported a mom and her kids from Soldotna, community members have come together at least three times to show their support for the family. Photo: Karen Martin Tichenor addresses attendees at a candelight vigil for Sonia Espinoza Arriaga and her kids on Sunday, Mar. 1, 2026 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara)

Fred from the Subarctic Alaska Sasquatch YouTube channel is back, and before we get started, make sure you click the link in the show notes and head over to subscribe to his channel. If you care about firsthand accounts coming straight out of Alaska and rooted in lived cultural experience, Fred's work is essential listening.In this episode, Fred takes us beyond simple encounter stories and into the foundation of how knowledge is preserved in his culture. He explains the vital role oral tradition plays in passing down history, survival skills, and encounters with what many in his community know as the Hairy Man. Written documentation is rare. He points out that “Story Knife” remains one of the few works that even attempts to capture fragments of that tradition in print. For generations, stories were not recorded in books—they were carried in memory, tied to landmarks, seasons, and lived experience. Fred also reflects on navigation, describing how descriptive mapping and deep familiarity with terrain once guided people across vast, unforgiving landscapes long before GPS existed. In his view, those skills are not outdated relics—they still matter. The conversation then shifts to a chilling account Fred heard in 2004 from a man named Jerry in Togiak. Jerry described a winter hunting trip west of Non Dalton that took a terrifying turn. During the hunt, a scream erupted across the tundra so intense that it scattered nearby wolves. What followed was even more disturbing. A Hairy Man reportedly struck a caribou with a single backhand blow to the ribs, dropping it. Jerry and his companions salvaged and packed the meat, trying to focus on the task at hand, but the encounter was far from over. The creature returned, and in an overwhelming display of strength and dominance, it threw their packed quarters over a ridge.The men abandoned the situation and escaped on their snow machines, shaken by what they had witnessed. Jerry also recalled an earlier sighting along the West Channel of the Nok River, where he saw a tall, young, slender Hairy Man that fled the area and swam away, avoiding contact. Fred then shares experiences from a property owner near Juneau, referred to as “Sam,” whose encounters unfolded over time rather than in a single dramatic moment. Sam described strange whistling that mimicked human tones, the sound and sight of bipedal movement in the trees, prolonged wood-banging that echoed through the forest, rocks landing near hunters, and even owl hoots that felt deliberately imitative rather than natural. Alongside these physical signs was a persistent, oppressive feeling in the woods—an atmosphere that made it clear something was present. Sam hesitated to speak openly for fear of ridicule, something Fred notes is common among witnesses.He also discusses a website encounter map and highlights recurring patterns across Alaska: whistles, rock throwing, wood knocks, and vocal mimicry that suggest these accounts follow familiar themes. Subarctic Alaska Sasquatch YouTube ChannelEmail BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.Have you had a Bigfoot encounter, Sasquatch sighting, Dogman experience, or other cryptid or paranormal encounter? We'd love to hear your story. Email brian@paranormalworldproductions.com to be featured on a future episode of Sasquatch Odyssey.Sasquatch Odyssey is a leading Bigfoot and cryptid podcast exploring real encounters, field research, and scientific analysis of the Sasquatch phenomenon. Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode.

In this newscast: Downtown Juneau's popular Marine Park will become a construction site for more than a year, starting next week; Two state lawmakers introduced legislation this month that aims to crack down on water pollution from major ships, including cruises; The Alaska Permanent Fund beat its performance benchmark last year and is approaching $90 billion. That's according to the investment consulting firm Callan, which has advised the state on the Permanent Fund's performance for decades; How can you convince yourself to bike to work, even in the winter? The Alaska Survival Kit series tries to answer that question

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees more than 12 million acres in Arizona alone. And much like the rest of the West, it has public lands making up national monuments that hold value for tribes. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, President Donald Trump's pick to run BLM pledged to respect them in his confirmation hearing this week. During his first term, President Trump shrank the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah – only for President Joe Biden to restore them and name 10 new ones. Former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) answered “yes” when asked about whether he was committed to honoring those sites by U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), who thanked the nominee for his “great” and “short, clear, concise, and on-the-record” answer. Pearce added that “the Native Americans sometimes are overlooked from Washington and …” when Sen. Padilla interrupted with, “And not just sometimes, far too often”. Pearce then noted “We became a voice for them, and would continue to do that.” Pearce doubled down when U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) asked about Arizona's Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni, which President Biden created near the South Rim in 2023. “The Grand Canyon, it's one of the most magnificent things, frankly, in the world. So we'll do whatever we can to work with you any way that's necessary.” X̱'unei Lance Twitchell teaching pre-kindergarten students. (Courtesy Ryan Conarro) Language educators in Juneau are working to create a Master's in Teaching program for teaching Indigenous languages at the University of Alaska Southeast. It would be the first of its kind in Alaska. KTOO’s Yvonne Krumrey reports. Lingít language professor X̱'unei Lance Twitchell talked about the possible future degree program during KTOO's Juneau Afternoon. “My colleague Éedaa Heather Burge and I are collaborating to create a certificate in teaching Indigenous languages, and as we look at how our language is taught in Alaska, who teaches them, what are their qualifications? What are they permitted to do in the current school systems? And what they’re permitted to do is just not enough.” The program would be for those who want to go into teaching Alaska Native languages to all ages. There are more than 20 distinct Indigenous languages throughout the state. Twitchell said the program still has some steps ahead of it before prospective students can enroll. “This degree has to go before the Board of Regents, and so we’re very hopeful that they will see the value in it. They’ll see the need. They’ll see the demand. I think it’s maybe one of two programs that are like it, perhaps in all of North America.” Twitchell said, while Southeast Alaska Native languages have endured and continue to grow, they should still be prioritized – and with urgency – by schools and communities. “But to be able to get to that is going to take some monumental shifts in the way that we do things, which is really hard today, because one of the things that a colonial government likes to do is pretend that there’s no time, there’s no money, everything’s already spoken for.” Twitchell said this program would create more pathways for educators who can advocate for time, money, and effort to go into revitalizing Indigenous languages. He said the program would focus on the “hows” of teaching Indigenous languages: how to create schools, build programs, and what materials to use. University officials are currently reviewing the proposal. After that, it'll be up to the University of Alaska Board of Regents to decide whether to approve the program. Meda DeWitt (Tlingit) is running for governor as an independent. (Courtesy DeWitt campaign) A 17th candidate has entered the Alaska governor’s race. Alaska Public Media’s Liz Ruskin has more. Meda DeWitt is a traditional healer, drawing on her Tlingit heritage. She teaches at the University of Alaska. She is running as an independent candidate, unaffiliated with any party. “I care about our future. I care about the way that we steward our lands and want to see a state that has a thriving ecosystem and healthy communities that can live in perpetuity.” In 2021, DeWitt chaired a campaign to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-AK). The petition gathered more than 60,000 signatures but fell short of the number needed for a recall election. Her campaign website lists a wide array of priorities, from cost of living to health care to the state economy. DeWitt lives in Anchorage and has family roots in Wrangell and Yakutat, as well as relatives around the state. The August 18 primary will feature a long list of gubernatorial candidates, most running with the Republican label. In the primary, voters can choose just one. The top four candidates, of any party, will advance to the November ballot. General election voters will have the option of ranking up to four candidates. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Friday, February 27, 2026 — Native Playlist: Cary Morin and Status/Non-Status

In this newscast: The City and Borough of Juneau has reached a collective bargaining agreement with the union that represents Juneau police; Most of the residents of the Juneau neighborhood hit hardest by annual glacial outburst flooding don't want to pay for a portion of a buyout program that would allow them to leave the flood zone; Juneau's city-owned airport was briefly at risk of an emergency closure as its fleet of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting trucks faced maintenance issues that could have shut down air traffic if all vehicles broke down; Staffing shortages, heavy workloads and burnout have stretched Juneau's fire department thin. Now, a new chief is at the helm, and he wants to rebuild morale and reshape the culture inside Capital City Fire Rescue

In this newscast: A Juneau man who had been staying at a local shelter for unhoused people has not been seen by staff in more than two weeks and has been reported missing; Winter maintenance of streets, supporting schools and public safety are the top budget priorities of more than 4,000 Juneau residents who took a city budget survey earlier this year; The Juneau planning commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit on Tuesday for a two-story retail and entertainment building called “Alaska Fly & Dive” in the heart of downtown Juneau's tourism corridor; Language educators in Juneau are working to create a Master's in teaching program for Indigenous languages at the University of Alaska Southeast. It would be the first of its kind in Alaska; At least 10 high school students from around the globe are in Alaska right now as exchange students. Several gathered in Juneau earlier this month for a student orientation; Alaska senators moved forward a new version of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's tax bill last week. The newest draft of the bill bears little resemblance to the bill the governor proposed earlier this year as part of his broader fiscal plan

In this newscast: The Juneau School Board has selected three finalists to be the district's next superintendent; The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has backed out of studying a lake tap solution to glacial outburst floods that have ravaged Juneau's Mendenhall Valley neighborhoods in recent years; The Haines Assembly voted in January to change how it collects sales tax. Now, cruise ships docked in Haines will be required to charge local sales tax on onboard purchases; A measure to repeal Alaska's nonpartisan primaries and ranked choice general elections will be on the ballot this year, but exactly how its worded remains a hot dispute

Text us your questions to answer on a future episode (if you want me to contact you, please include your email)Long time Juneau residents and whale watchers Jamie Letterman and Ben Rubenstein sit down with Jennie to talk about why whale watching in Juneau is so incredible and their other favorite things to do in Juneau.Save 10% on Juneau Lighthouse Tours (and awesome whale watching) with the code: alaskauncoveredJoin the Alaska Planning Club on Patreon and ask me anything!Book an Alaska planning session with JennieSign up for Jennie's free weekly email newsletter - Alaska InsiderHave Jennie plan your trip for youJennie's digital workshops and planners (save 10% with code: podcast)Follow Jennie on InstagramSupport the show

In this newscast: The Alaska House approved a fast-tracked spending bill totaling nearly half a billion dollars this afternoon. It's intended to cover higher-than-expected costs in the ongoing fiscal year, and it's a combination of several requests from Gov. Mike Dunleavy; Several Juneau boats sank in city harbors during the intense winter storms that started in late December. The city is still dealing with the aftermath; The Alaska Federation of Natives urged state lawmakers to fix Alaska's dual fish and wildlife management system; A state legislator's former chief of staff faces charges of child sexual exploitation and child sex trafficking

Chaplain James Duncan, better known as just JD, is a remarkably impactful Alaskan.Raised in Juneau, JD is a former pastor now serving as the Statewide Chaplaincy Coordinator for the Alaska Department of Corrections.Although I haven't yet started visiting the prisons, I took the class he leads to train those who want to serve those who are incarcerated. It is intense and eye opening and very necessary.It is also radically Biblical.Click HERE to see how we are called to reach those behind bars.I am deeply grateful to have JD on "I'm Glad You Said That" to discuss this important ministry and to chat about other prayer groups he is a part of including the Governor's Prayer Breakfast. We'll get more out on that soon. Support the show

In this newscast: Juneau choreographer Hali Duran explores the six stages of a queen bumblebee's life cycle in Acoustic Turbulence -- a new production of Orpheus Project, showing this weekend; A large gravel lot in the hear of downtown Juneau's tourism corridor has sat empty for years. But that might soon change; In a recent budget meeting, the Juneau School Board discussed adding rather than cutting positions next school year; Alaska saw its eighth hottest year on record last year.

In this newscast: After multiple weeks of being closed, Juneau's recycling center is back up and running at a limited capacity; U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan bristled at the suggestion that he only defends the Trump administration. In his annual address to the Alaska Legislature Wednesday he also slammed national Democrats as bent on ruining Alaska; Immigration enforcement agents swarmed a Soldotna home Tuesday morning and took a family of four, including a kindergartner, into custody; A 17th candidate has announced she's running for governor; If you've noticed you're paying more for a cup of coffee these days, you're not alone. Bean prices have been extremely volatile in recent years. Then, came President Trump's sweeping reciprocal tariffs, which the White House removed on some agricultural products, including coffee, in November.

In this newscast: The City of Hoonah has a new chief of police, and his hiring comes after the last chief was fired while trying to resign last spring; The Juneau School Board will hold its first reading of the school district's budget tomorrow; Nearly all who testified at a public hearing yesterday afternoon at the state capitol were in favor of a Juneau representative's bill that seeks to ban law enforcement officers from wearing face masks on duty in Alaska; The U.S Forest Service officially kicked off its public process for the Tongass National Forest Plan Revision on Wednesday; Travelers can now schedule ferry rides with the Alaska Marine Highway for May through September; The first round of fundraising reports in the 2026 governor's race is out, shedding some light on a crowded field.

In this newscast: State transportation officials will hold a virtual public forum tomorrow evening on proposed safety improvements at one of Juneau's most dangerous intersections; For the first time, Juneau police confirm immigration enforcement activity in Alaska's capital during President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration push; A proposed mining road in Juneau is up for public comment; Mariculture experts and tribal members gathered in Juneau last week to talk about the pressing obstacles - and opportunities - shaping the mariculture industry in Southeast Alaska.

Jeff was again joined by Scott McMurren from Alaska Travelgram. They talk about why he's in Juneau supporting tourism, the state money the Alaska Travel Industry Association uses for supporting tourism, the Alaska Airlines constituent fare, the rising cost of tickets between Anchorage and Juneau, some good deals on tickets to Europe, the new Atmos app, some issues Scott and Jeff have with bad travelers, and some good travel deals coming up this spring. 

We expected the Senate vote on H.J. Res. 140, which would overturn the 20-year mining ban protecting the BWCA, to occur this week, but it was postponed until after their upcoming recess. The vote could be as early as February 23rd. This gives us more time to contact Senators and ask them to vote no on this resolution. I've been posting plenty of resources and scripts to do this on our Instagram @outdoor.minimalist.book, but will also be including additional resources for this issue and others in our weekly newsletter at theoutdoorminimalist.com This week, we are focusing on developments in Alaska. About 60% of Alaska is public land. That's over 200 million acres. All of that land in Alaska faces immediate and intensified threats from expanded oil, gas, and mineral development and the dangers of climate change. So much is happening in that one state alone, we wanted to take the time to highlight two of the largest issues the state is facing today: the Ambler Road project and the Tongass National Forest under the Roadless Rule. To help explain the severity of these threats is lifelong Alaskan, Bjorn Dihle. Bjorn lives in Juneau with his family, where he works as a wildlife guide and freelance multimedia professional focused on conservation. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistBuy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalist⁠⁠⁠Listener Survey: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠------------------Salmon State: https://salmonstate.org/Alaska Wilderness League: https://alaskawild.org/No Ambler Road: https://noamblerroadaction.org/Hunters and Anglers for the Brooks Range: https://huntfishbrooksrange.com/

Ready to board your first cruise? In this episode of All Things Travel, hosts Ryan and Julie guide you through Cruising 102—everything you need to know from booking to embarkation and beyond. Whether you're sailing with Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, or another major cruise line, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the entire pre-cruise and onboard experience with confidence.Pre-Cruise Planning Essentials: Learn the critical timeline for cruise preparation, including when to book pre-cruise hotels, secure shore excursions in destinations like Skagway and Juneau, and confirm dining reservations. Discover why arriving a day early at ports like Port Canaveral is essential and how to manage final payments, travel protection, and online check-in procedures three months before sailing.Embarkation Day Mastery: Get insider tips on what embarkation really means and how to board your ship smoothly. From printing luggage tags to tipping porters, avoiding crowded buffets, and touring the kids club, you'll learn strategies to start your cruise vacation stress-free. Find out when your stateroom will be ready and what to do while waiting for luggage to arrive.Onboard Experience Tips: Maximize your cruise vacation by exploring signature dining options beyond the main dining room, experiencing popular activities during off-peak times, and finding the perfect balance between FOMO (fear of missing out) and JOMO (joy of missing out). Learn about formal nights, dress codes, and when to disembark early at private islands for the best beach chairs and quieter pools.Important Reminders: Verify your passport expiration dates (must be valid six months beyond return), notify your bank about international travel, understand prohibited items lists, and pack cruise-specific essentials like magnetic hooks and lanyards. Don't forget to download your cruise line app for schedules, favorites, and alerts.Whether you're planning an Alaskan cruise, Caribbean getaway, or European voyage, this episode covers Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and general cruising advice. Perfect for first-time cruisers and families looking to optimize their cruise vacation experience.Tune in next week for Cruising 103, where Ryan and Julie cover disembarkation procedures and final cruise tips!Support the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation" Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page! Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show! Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

Kevin Lane is the executive chef and co-owner of The Cookery and The Lone Chicharron Taqueria in Seward, and he was recently named as a James Beard Award semifinalist. Reflecting on that recognition, he says it wouldn't have been possible without his team at The Cookery, or the kitchens and crews from his past that shaped the way he cooks today. Those roots stretch back to California's Sacramento area, where he was raised on crockpot meals, black-eyed peas, and lentil stew, before he found his way into kitchens in San Diego. Around nineteen, he was eating street tacos, shucking oysters, and learning the pace of restaurant life — first on the cold oyster bar, then on the hotline, where teamwork and discipline took root. Those early experiences still show up in his food today — the steady presence of Mexican influence, the belief that cooking is ultimately about making people happy, and he's still shucking oysters.  He was still early in his career when he moved to Juneau to work as a Sous Chef. There, and later in Sitka, he recognized the realities of Alaska's food system, how kitchens relied heavily on frozen and canned goods because they were dependable. Orders had to be placed seven to ten days out, and even then, fresh vegetables and herbs might arrive frozen and mushy. It was a lot different from working in California, where you could order produce in the morning and expect it that afternoon. The learning curve was steep, but learning to adapt is what good cooks do. So, given Alaska's abundance of fresh seafood, he adjusted his cooking and learned to let fish become the focus. And now that there's more access to farm-fresh produce than ever before, the constraints that once defined cooking in Alaska have eased, expanding what's possible on a menu.