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• A new school takes shape in Mertarvik

  10-04-2025 00:45 via ktoo.org
  The new front of the new school in Mertarvik on March 19, 2025. (Glennesha Carl)
  Editor’s note: This story is part of “Lessons from Newtok,” which connects youth from Newtok (Niugtaq), Alaska and Provincetown, Mass. through a pen pal exchange exploring the impacts of climate change. Students will document their communities with photography and writing, sharing insights on Indigenous knowledge, science, and local responses. Though Provincetown and Newtok’s new townsit
  
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• As others flee, one Juneau migrant family is hoping to stay amid federal uncertainty

  04-05-2025 21:04 via ktoo.org
  
  Self-portraits Haitian students made at Harborview Elementary School before their family left Juneau. (Photos courtesy of Gwenna Corvez)
  Some immigrants living in Juneau left the United States recently after an email from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security told them they had to leave.
  But one family who received the email hasn’t left.
  A woman, her husband and teenage daughter fled Venezuela in May 2023 and eventually resettled in Juneau with temporary parole status. She spoke to KTOO
  
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• Mendenhall River levee plaintiffs say they want compensation after judge blocks stop work order

  03-05-2025 23:49 via ktoo.org
  
  Samuel Hatch, a new plaintiff in the case, stands on the porch of his home on Meander Way. (Photo by Alix Soliman/KTOO)
  A lawsuit originally aimed at stopping the construction of flood barriers along Mendenhall River has shifted its goals. The plaintiffs now say they want the city to pay them for building the levee on their land.  
  The shift comes after a judge denied a motion to halt construction of the levee meant to protect hundreds of homes in Mendenhall Valley from annual glacial
  
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• Newscast – Friday, May 2, 2025

  03-05-2025 02:59 via ktoo.org
  
  
  https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20250502-News-Update.mp3
  In this newscast:A proposal that would create and fund tribally run public schools in Alaska inched closer to reality on Thursday,
  Hundreds in Juneau joined thousands nationwide yesterday as protests surged for International Workers Day, also known as May Day,
  Child advocacy centers in Alaska were funded with federal money for the past decade, but now the state has to foot the bill, and lawmakers are still deciding,
  The
  
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• Alaska State Museum opens ‘In a Time of Change: Boreal Forest Stories’

  03-05-2025 02:58 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Juneau Afternoon features the Alaska State Museum opening of “In a Time of Change: Boreal Forest Stories,” Juneau Jazz & Classics, SEAGLA May events, and Rotary District Conference keynote speakers who flew around the world in a Cessna 210 to help eradicate polio.Audio PodcastVideo LivestreamLivestream timestamps:
  00:50 Show begins/Intro
  03:13 Rotary members fly around the world to raise funds for polio eradication
  22:45 Alaska State Museum opens “In a Time of Change: Borea
  
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• Bill to create tribally-run public schools progresses through Alaska Legislature

  03-05-2025 01:57 via ktoo.org
  
  Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a town hall event in the Mendenhall Valley on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Clarise Larson/KTOO)
  A proposal that would create and fund tribally-run public schools inched closer to reality on Thursday. The House Tribal Affairs Committee moved House Bill 59 over to the Education Committee. 
  If the Alaska Legislature passes it, five tribes would get close to $17.5 million for the first year to run pilot programs for tribally-compacted schools acro
  
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• Tlingit and Haida cancels food distribution due to federal funding cuts

  03-05-2025 01:33 via ktoo.org
  
  Hoonah Head Start students try herring eggs. (Courtesy of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska)
  Springtime is herring egg season in Southeast Alaska. Usually that means that the region’s largest tribal government would be setting up to deliver tens of thousands of pounds of the traditional food to tribal citizens across the region and beyond. 
  But this year, those distributions won’t happen. 
  The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida India
  
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• May Day protesters rally for workers’ rights outside the Alaska State Capitol

  03-05-2025 00:33 via ktoo.org
  
  Protesters gather outside the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Photo by Clarise Larson/KTOO)https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02JUNmayday--1.mp3
  Hundreds of workers in Juneau joined thousands nationwide on Thursday night at protests to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day. 
  Cardboard signs crumbled and paint dripped as roughly 400 protesters gathered in the rain to call for better working protections and other causes at the Alaska State Capito
  
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• Alaska Senate committee drops proposed 2025 PFD to $1,000 per recipient, an inflation-adjusted low

  02-05-2025 22:40 via ktoo.org
  
  The chairs of the Senate Finance Committee huddle for a discussion after introducing their draft operating budget, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
  Amid a severe state budget deficit, the Alaska Senate Finance Committee is proposing the lowest Permanent Fund dividend in five years and — if adjusted for inflation — the lowest dividend ever.
  On Thursday, the committee unveiled a new version of its proposed state operating budget with a $1,000 dividend, a $400 redu
  
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• Want to run for local office in Juneau? This upcoming workshop will show you how.

  02-05-2025 22:39 via ktoo.org
  
  Frank Rue drops his ballot off in the City Hall ballot drop box on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Photo by Clarise Larson/KTOO)
  The City and Borough of Juneau will hold its annual How to Run for Local Office workshop this Saturday at City Hall.
  It’s a chance for anyone interested in running for a seat on the Juneau Assembly or School Board to ask questions and learn about what it takes to campaign and serve. The workshop is put on annually by the city, the League of Women Voters and Friends of th
  
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• ‘The buffet is open’: Hooligan, and spring, return to Haines

  02-05-2025 20:06 via ktoo.org
  Gulls feeding on hooligan in April, 2025. (Avery Ellfedlt/KHNS)
  By high tide on Monday, the sky was overcast and spitting rain. Birds circled cacophonously above the Chilkoot River, and sea lions bellowed downstream. Haines resident Sonny Williams was there, too – posted up on the bridge that straddles the river nine miles outside of town.
  They were all there for the same reason: hordes of small black fish wriggling through the current below, a telltale sign of spring. Williams pointed as
  
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• Juneau’s child advocacy center holds Superhero Walk amid funding instability

  02-05-2025 19:51 via ktoo.org
  
  Rex Reid feeds a treat to a dog at the Airport Dike Trail in Juneau on April, 26, 2025. (Photo by Jamie Diep/KTOO)
  Listen here:https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01CACFunds.wav
  Families, community members and dogs in superhero costumes gathered on the Airport Dike Trail in Juneau on a rare sunny Saturday morning. 
  The Southeast Alaska Family Evaluation – or SAFE – Child Advocacy Center, Juneau Animal Rescue and AWARE, a nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic a
  
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• An email from the federal government split a Juneau refugee family in half

  02-05-2025 03:18 via ktoo.org
  Carolou holds a photo of her daughter, who left Juneau after receiving an email from the federal government telling them they had to leave or face prosecution. They are both from Haiti and fled instability and violence there. (Photo by Yvonne Krumrey/KTOO)
  Fourteen members of Carolou’s family moved to Juneau after fleeing unrest in Haiti. 
  “My country is not doing well right now,” she said.
  Carolou has protected status in the United States, but is using an old family nickn
  
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• The Martime Festival to celebrate Juneau’s maritime history and culture with day long event at Peratrovich Plaza

  02-05-2025 03:01 via ktoo.org
  
  
  The Maritime Festival, “Winds in the Spring,” “Wilds Joys” exhibit kick-off May events in Juneau.Audio PodcastVideo LivestreamJuneau Afternoon featuring event previews from Juneau Community Bands, Juneau City Museum, Juneau Commission on Aging, Maritime Festival, and the Blessing of the Fleet.
  Livestream timestamps:00:59 Show begins/intro03:00 Juneau Community Bands “Winds in the Spring”11:40 Juneau-Douglas City Museum “Wild Joys” exhibit22:38 June
  
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• Newscast – Thursday, May 1, 2025

  02-05-2025 02:51 via ktoo.org
  
  
  https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/250501-News-Update.mp3
  In this newscast:The Juneau Assembly moved forward with a plan Wednesday that — if approved by voters — could add up to $10 million to the city’s debt. It would fund critical repairs and upgrades to Juneau’s schools after years of deferred maintenance. The Assembly decided to prioritize funding repairs to schools over the city’s water and sewer systems, which are also in need of some TLC. That
  
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• Juneau Assembly advances potential $10M school maintenance bond and utility rate hikes

  02-05-2025 02:03 via ktoo.org
  Deputy Mayor Greg Smith speaks during a Juneau Assembly finance committee meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (Photo by Clarise Larson/KTOO)https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01bonds.wav
  The Juneau Assembly moved forward with a plan on Wednesday that would add up to $10 million to the city’s debt if approved by voters in this fall’s election. It would fund critical repairs and upgrades to Juneau’s schools after years of deferred maintenance.  
  The Ass
  
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• Juneau just had its fourth rainiest April on record

  01-05-2025 23:39 via ktoo.org
  Brian Bezenek pulls up data at the National Weather Service office in Juneau on April 30, 2025. (Alix Soliman/KTOO)
  Last month was unusually rainy across Southeast Alaska and was Juneau’s fourth wettest April on record. 
  The capital city saw 6.12 inches of rain across 26 days last month, meaning residents experienced just four dry days.  
  Rainfall was more than 2.5 inches above average in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. Yakutat more than doubled its usual precipitation for the
  
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• Alaska education commissioner urged superintendents to lobby legislators for Dunleavy or risk a veto

  01-05-2025 20:13 via ktoo.org
  Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, speaks to reporters during a news conference Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
  Alaska Education Commissioner Deena Bishop sent a letter to superintendents statewide urging them to lobby legislators for the governor’s education policy items – or risk Dunleavy again vetoing an increase to school funding.
  On Wednesday, some superintendents from districts acros
  
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• Lingít artist Reine Pavlik melds beading and skin sewing with contemporary styles

  01-05-2025 19:57 via ktoo.org
  Reine Pavlik holds hand-sewn moccasins in April 2025. (Matt Faubion/Alaska Public Media)Reine Pavlik sorted through a large collection of her latest work. She pointed to a pair of jeans with seal skin flare, a women’s suit made of deer skin and seal hide and several more hand-made pieces of clothing. Many of the pieces had ornate beading.
  “Sometimes I feel like beading a straight line is really hard,” she said, holding up a pair of hand-sewn moccasins. “This pair of mocc
  
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• Newscast – Wednesday, April 30, 2025

  01-05-2025 03:00 via ktoo.org
  
  
  https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250430-News-Update.mp3
  In this newscast:Today marks Juneau International Airport Manager Patty Wahto’s final day on the job after a nearly three-decade-long career,
  Immigrants and refugees across the country are getting emails from the Trump administration that say they have to leave the United States or face prosecution. In Juneau, that’s already split one family apart,
  Skagway held its international folk festival earlier this mon
  
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• Bipartisan vote sends $700 school funding boost to Gov. Dunleavy’s desk

  01-05-2025 02:55 via ktoo.org
  House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, confers with House Rules Committee Chair Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, on the House floor on April 30, 2025. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)Alaska’s public schools may get a long-sought increase in state funding this year. A bill that would boost state education funding and make changes to state education policy passed the state House and Senate Wednesday and will soon head to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s desk.
  House Bill 57 would provide a $700 increas
  
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• Musician Taylor Dallas Vidic highlights collaboration on the making of her first album

  01-05-2025 02:44 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Audio PodcastVideo LivestreamJuneau Afternoon features Taylor Dallas Vidic on the making of her first album, plus previews of David Sedaris, and events from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce and Juneau Arts & Humanities Council.
  Livestream timestamps:00:44 Show begins/intro03:04 Taylor Dallas Vidic with Spencer Edgars – Songs and Interview25:50 David Sedaris coming to Juneau (KTOO Fundraiser)35:40 Juneau Chamber of Commerce with Ben Brown47:15 Juneau Arts and Humanities Council First Frid
  
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• Juneau airport manager retires after decades-long career

  01-05-2025 00:46 via ktoo.org
  The Juneau International Airport in April 2023. (Photo by Clarise Larson/KTOO)
  Wednesday marked Juneau International Airport Manager Patty Wahto’s final day on the job after a nearly three-decade-long career.
  During her tenure as both deputy manager and manager, Wahto helped the airport navigate major industry changes like travel and security reforms after the 9/11 attacks. 
  Patty Wahto spoke about the history of the airport Thursday at Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Photo by Quinton Ch
  
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• Federal job losses hit home in Alaska. How hard? We don’t know yet.

  30-04-2025 23:57 via ktoo.org
  Research biologist Dan Ruthrauff took an early retirement from the U.S. Geological Survey in Anchorage. He wasn’t ready to end his career. (Liz Ruskin/Alaska Public Media)
  Last July, Dan Ruthrauff was on the North Slope with colleagues, outfitting black brant with metal leg bands. It was the sort of thing he did year after year as a federal research biologist.
  He wishes he was still working as a federal scientist, adding to the knowledge of Alaska shorebirds, migration patterns and reprod
  
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• Between vows against taxes and using savings, the 2025 PFD and Alaska state services are in a vise

  30-04-2025 22:56 via ktoo.org
  
  Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, listens to a presentation on the proposed amendment to the Alaska Constitution on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
  As Alaska lawmakers confront a major budget deficit, legislators’ opposing views on possible solutions appear likely to lead to a lower Permanent Fund dividend and cuts to services, including public schools.
  In public statements, members of the Alaska Senate’s majority caucus have said they oppose spending from s
  
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• Alaska House votes down restrictions and disclosure rules for ‘dark money’ campaign cash

  30-04-2025 21:50 via ktoo.org
  
  The Alaska and American flags fly in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)Ahead of its vote on a bill to restrict political donations in state elections, members of the House’s multipartisan majority rejected a series of amendments that would have expanded the bill.
  Among the rejected proposals were ideas to require greater disclosure of donations funneled through so-called dark money groups enabled by the 2010 U.S. Supreme Cou
  
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• Juneau families rally to support child care funding as Legislature teeters on fiscal cliff

  30-04-2025 03:02 via ktoo.org
  Rally attendees carry signs and babies on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau on April 29, 2025. (Photo by Jamie Diep/KTOO)
  Listen here:https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/29BebeRally.wav
  More than 100 parents, children, lawmakers and advocates carried signs and babies outside the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. They were asking the Legislature to prioritize child care funding.The rally comes after the Alaska Senate cut more than $13.8 million in child care funding fro
  
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• Newscast – Tuesday, April 29, 2025

  30-04-2025 03:00 via ktoo.org
  
  
  https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250429-News-Update.mp3
  In this newscast:One of Alaska’s most prolific climate communicators could lose his job if the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to NOAA go through,
  Yesterday, the City and Borough of Juneau’s clerk’s office certified three ballot petitions aimed at lowering local taxes,
  Millions of dollars slated for child care funding were among the many budget cuts Alaska state Senators made last week, but ad
  
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• Alaska could lose a beloved climate communicator if NOAA cuts happen

  30-04-2025 02:27 via ktoo.org
  Rick Thoman poses during a trip to Anchorage. (Adam Nicely/Alaska Public Media)
  One of Alaska’s most prolific climate communicators could lose his job if the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration go through. 
  The Trump administration laid out a plan to slash NOAA’s budget in a memo leaked this month. The draft cuts would eliminate several research institutes the agency funds in Alaska, including the Fairbanks-based Alas
  
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• Juneau ballot petitions to lower local taxes, return to in-person voting OK’d for signatures

  30-04-2025 02:13 via ktoo.org
  Shoppers grab produce at Foodland IGA in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Photo by Clarise Larson/KTOO)https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/29petitioncert.wav
  The City and Borough of Juneau clerk’s office certified three ballot petitions aimed at lowering local taxes in Juneau on Monday. 
  That means advocates can soon start collecting signatures of support in hopes of getting the proposals on the municipal ballot this fall. 
  The three petitions seek to ca
  
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