On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

The bald eagle recently became the United States’ official national bird. It’s already a celebrated creature in Haines. Juneau is working on a long-term plan to address glacial outburst flooding. And a Christmas day shooting in Juneau shows the need for mental health services.

Photo: A bald eagle in Haines grasps a salmon. Photo by Reba Hylton.

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:
Child care shortages could be addressed by a combination of actions, according to a new task force. Mushing season has started on the Kuskokwim. And Governor Dunleavy has made his appointments to the Boards of Fisheries and Game.

Children's coats hang in a hallway at Hillcrest Childcare Center in Anchorage o n April 18. The second and final report of a child care task force holds recommendations for expanding subsidies that families receive, speeding the caregiver licensing and hiring process and other steps intended to address the state's shortage of affordable child care. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

Petersburg’s harbormaster told legislators that Alaska’s harbors need more funding. The Arctic tundra shifted this past year from capturing carbon to releasing it, which means it’s now contributing to rising global temperatures. And one of three independent birth centers in Anchorage will no longer deliver babies.

Photo: The Arctic Report Card shows sea ice is retreating. This graph of monthly arctic sea ice extent anomalies (solid lines) and linear trend lines (dashed lines) for March (black) and September (red) 1979 to 2023, shows a marked decline.

National Parks Service

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

Mary Peltola speaks with Alaska Public Media Washington Correspondent Liz Ruskin about her tenure, and future. A company wants to mine a substance called antimony near Fairbanks after a ban on exports of the substance by China. And the world's best helicopter skiing is in Haines, Alaska.

Photo: A chunk of stibnite, which contains more than 70% antimony, from Felix Gold’s Treasure Creek project near Fairbanks. (Photo by Max Graham/Northern Journal)

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

Birdwatchers in Fairbanks braved temperatures deep into the negatives for the Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. 50 coastal communities will get a chance for part of $39 million in funding for heat pumps. And... WiFI on the Ferry!

Photo: An air-to-air heat pump. (Erin McKinstry/KCAW)

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

Making it easier for people to live in multigenerational homes. A successful program to help kids read has struggled to find funding. And the state's battle to own the land under Mendenhall Lake has been dealt a blow by a federal judge.

Photo: Mendenhall Glacier, River, and Lake. US Weather Service.

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

The U.S. Department of Education is releasing nearly $17.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds for the state of Alaska. President-elect Donald Trump says he plans to re-rename Mount Denali to McKinley. And how to stay healthy over the holidays.

Photo: Mt. Denali. Tim Rains/U.S. National Park Service

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

Governor Mike Dunleavy said Friday he intends to establish a state Department of Agriculture. A bill that would increase thousands of Alaskans’ Social Security benefits is headed for President Biden’s desk. The Kuskokwim River ice continues to be variable as the winter season progresses.

Photo: A large open hole is seen in the Kuskokwim River in front of the community of Akiak on Nov. 18, 2024. (Courtesy Mark Leary/Bethel Search and Rescue)

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

Alaskans giving birth are experiencing obstetric hemorrhage at increasing rates. NORAD detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft Tuesday as they passed through international airspace off Alaska’s coasts. And the status of refugees from abroad working in Alaska is uncertain.

Photo: The North American Aerospace Defense Command made a Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 intercept of Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers like this one, seen during a previous intercept escorted by two U.S. F-16 and F-35 fighter jets. (From NORAD via DVIDS)

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines:

International shipping and logistics giant Maersk is ceasing operations in Alaska by February. A federal court has ruled on a case that questioned the rights of Alaska Native tribes. And a group of homeowners in Birchwood are suing the Eklutna tribe and the head of a federal agency over a small-scale casino planned near Anchorage.

Photo: Cargo dock in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor. Andy Lusk/KUCB