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Tongass Voices: Diosdado Valdez on finding family away from home
This is Tongass Voices, a series from KTOO sharing weekly perspectives from the homelands of the Áak’w Kwáan and beyond. Every summer, the docks of downtown Juneau are packed with tourists. Among the visitors are people like Diosdado Valdez, who prepares the onboard entertainment for one of the cruise ship companies. Valdez has been coming to Juneau for over 30 years, and in that time, he’s found another family off the ship.
Homer’s Kristen Faulkner recalls her ride to cycling gold at the Paris Olympics
Homer’s Kristen Faulkner came out of relative obscurity to win not one, but two gold medals in cycling at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Jamie Diep spoke with Faulkner on Friday about how growing up in Homer shaped her fast-paced journey to the podium. Editor’s note: The following transcript...
Stolen Subaru: Anchorage animal clinic’s fundraiser hits bump in the road
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - An Anchorage animal clinic had something special planned for this year’s annual fundraiser. In addition to their popular items like food baskets, Alaska SPCA was set to auction off a much larger — and costly — product. “This year we were really excited...
Bethel’s KYUK tower comes down after 5 decades
A prominent feature of the Bethel skyline has been retired after roughly 50 years of service. KYUK’s iconic orange and white communications tower was originally intended to beam television programming, including local TV news, educational productions, and popular programs like Sesame Street, locally since at least as early as 1975. In more recent years, it carried FM radio programming as well.
University of Alaska explains name change of cabinet-level position that had ‘diversity’ removed from title
In 2023 the University of Alaska hired Kristel Komakhuk as senior director for Alaska Native success and partnerships. The position was previously named senior advisor for Alaska Native success, institutional diversity and student engagement. As reported by The Northern Light, the name change included changing “advisor” to “director” and swapping...
As Juneau students go back to school, how prepared is the district for the year ahead?
The first day of school for the Juneau School District is just around the corner — classes kick off on Thursday. Superintendent Frank Hauser sat down with KTOO to chat about the start of the new year with the consolidation plan in place, the stability of the district moving forward and what students can expect.
Inside the Alutiiq Museum's renovation project
The Alutiiq Museum has been closed for over a year now for a major construction project. It’s going to remain closed until next year. Several of the building’s walls are down to their metal framing as people in high visibility vests and hard hats walk between heavy machinery. There’s still plenty of work to do before the building is ready to reopen.
Norwegian Cruise Donates $50,000 to Aid Juneau Flood Recovery
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) announced it would donate $50,000 to help with the recent flooding in Juneau, Alaska. Dan Farkas, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ executive vice president, chief development officer, and general counsel, described NCL’s ties with the city. “We are deeply connected to the Juneau community, and witnessing the devastation from the recent flood has been heart-wrenching,” he said in a press release.
Her job gone, a former teacher returns to a (likely) seat on Sitka School Board
A former Sitka teacher who lost her job following steep budget cuts last spring is now trying for a seat on the Sitka School Board. Amanda Williams taught eighth grade Science, and was one of 14 teachers subject to an unprecedented workforce reduction in the district, after Gov. Dunleavy vetoed the legislature’s education funding package.
City Hall News: Fake News
There have been a number of stories going around about the EMS and Delta Medical Transport. I wanted to inform the community of the actual truth. FAKE NEWS… Delta Junction does not need an EMS service… THE TRUTH… in the first 14 days of July, there were 16 emergency calls, and all were transported to Fairbanks.
Assembly votes to sell second parcel at Dock St. to Island Refrigeration
The Petersburg Borough Assembly accepted a local business’ application on August 5 to buy a small piece of borough-owned tideland. It’s the third time in the last year that the assembly has voted to sell its tidelands. The piece of land in question is right next to another,...
Kenai Woman Arrested In Homer After Providing False Name And Throwing “Urine-Covered Shoes” At Officers
A Kenai woman was arrested in Homer after she attempted to give Alaska State Troopers and Homer Police a false identity and threw urine-covered shoes at them. According to the AST dispatch on the incident, Troopers responded to a report of an intoxicated female walking in traffic on Diamond Ridge Road near the Sterling Highway in Homer at around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 11. When they arrived on the scene, law enforcement contacted 42-year-old Kenai resident Kentoria Wise, who was described in the dispatch as “extremely intoxicated.”
Yup’ik designer reaches back through history to carry forward stories and traditions
Monica Shah and Golga Oscar examine a squirrel skin hood. With help from an Access to Alaska Natives Collection grant from the non-profit Museums Alaska, Oscar made a special trip in 2023 to explore designs and regalia housed in the Anchorage Museum’s collection. The back rooms of the Anchorage...
Subsistence Board Officially Extends Moose Hunting In Unit 12, Closes Unit 13
Following the Federal Subsistence Board’s announcement that it would consider extending the moose hunting season in Unit 12 and closing the season in Unit 13, the decisions were officially made during their Aug. 8 meeting after hearing public comments on the proposals. Temporary Wildlife Special Action 24-04, submitted by...
Coast Guard Foundation activates Emergency Disaster Relief Program
The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, announced that its emergency disaster relief program is providing vital assistance to Coast Guard members and their families impacted by Hurricanes Beryl, Tropical Storm Debby, and glacial flooding in Juneau, Alaska. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has already proven to be one of the most challenging in recent memory.
UA Cossatot Collegiate & Alumni FFA Attends Conference in Alaska
Students in the UA Cossatot agriculture program attended an FFA Alumni & Supporters Development conference in Alaska over the summer. Agriculture instructor and FFA Advisor, Kelli Harris, along with program assistant, Hadley Philamlee, traveled to Palmer, Alaska from June 20 - 24 with three students: April Klitz, Gynder Benson, and Hannah Jackson.
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