KMXT News

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: The Bureau of Land  Management is inclined to allow the development of  the Willow project,  to drill for oil on federal land in the Arctic. Sitka chef Renee Trafton  is a finalist for a James Beard Award. And the Kenai Peninsula Board of Education has upheld the firing of a Soldotna physical education teacher.

Photo: Renee Trafton, owner of Beak Restaurant in Sitka, Alaska

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: The 2023 Arctic Winter Games got underway in Wood  Buffalo, Alberta Canada on Sunday night. A trial is set for late summer  in the criminal case involving the deaths of two teenagers in a crash on Unalaska’s Mount Ballyhoo nearly four years ago. And environmental  protesters against the Willow Project seem few and far between.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: The Fairbanks Native Association and Tanana Chiefs  Conference hosted a gathering to raise awareness about cases of missing  and murdered Alaska Native people. A sentencing hearing for admitted  arsonist Jamison Gallion concluded Wednesday in Fairbanks. And Bethel  musher Pete Kaiser has won the Kuskokwim 300.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: A nationwide outbreak of avian influenza is having impacts far beyond the grocery store. The  Sitka Assembly will donate $25,000 to support a fight against a legal  decision that could shut down SE king salmon trolling. And state  officials say they have no authority to investigate a behavioral health  facility where two people were murdered.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Southeast Alaska is looking ahead to the next drought. Governor Dunleavy outlines his agenda in the State of the State address. And Anchorage mayor Bronson keeps quiet.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Teachers, school administrators and parents rallied outside the capitol building last night to call for increased education funding. The Board of Game has voted down a proposal to require hunters in Southeast to complete an education course. And  a petition to get rid of the state’s ranked choice voting system and non-partisan primary has been certified for circulation.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: A Cook Inlet natural gas producer is fighting the state and Kenai Peninsula Borough over property taxes.  A small, vacant lot in downtown Juneau is at the center of a dispute  between the state of Alaska and the U.S. Department of the Interior. And  its been a relatively warm winter in the Y-K Delta.

Photo: Cook Inlet Platform. Source: the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

On today’s Midday Report with host Kirsten Dobroth: Earthjustice is representing tribes in opposition of the Donlin Gold mine. Homer’s  Library Advisory Board unanimously voted to uphold a decision to keep  55 books in the children’s section of the public library. And the Alaska  Marine Highway System’s decision to pull the Matanuska out of service  has left some travelers stuck abroad.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: An  Alaska Railroad freight train derailed after it ran into avalanche  debris on the tracks south of Girdwood. The City of Homer and Homer  Drawdown are working together to increase people-powered transportation  and trail access around town.

Photo: An Alaska Railroad freight train is surrounded by snow after driving  into an avalanche slide near Girdwood early on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.  (Courtesy  Alaska Railroad)

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Alaska schools are preparing to meet the new state educational requirements of the READS Act next fall.  Senate President Gary Stevens talks about his legislative priorities. And the state is offering help to livestock farmers who are struggling to buy feed.

Photo: Alaska Meat Company cattle on Sitkinak Island.