Katherine Rose, KCAW - Sitka

Loneliness and isolation can be a big problem for seniors in Alaska. Many older people are often far away from family members, and kids are far away from their grandparents. In Sitka, the local Pioneer Home for seniors has found a solution for both problems: housing a local preschool right next door.

Students from around Alaska gathered in Anchorage this weekend to compete in the state wrestling tournament, hosted by the Alaska School Activities Association. Several of those students, young men and women, are from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka which, in recent years, has built the largest girls wrestling program in Alaska. Listen now

Earlier this fall the Human Rights Campaign gave Sitka and ten other American cities a score of zero on its municipal equality index, because these communities had no legal protection for residents based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Sitka assembly on Tuesday will consider on final reading a sweeping anti-discrimination ordinance. Listen now

The statue of Alexander Baranov was erected to honor the role of commerce in Sitka’s past, but for many, Baranov and the Russian-American Company are synonymous with colonization and the systematic oppression of Alaska Natives.

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska has landed over $2 million in federal grant money to aid victims of domestic violence. The money is being awarded in three separate grants and will create five new positions to support women and children in Sitka. Listen now

Editor's note attached.

The bells at St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral in Sitka are ringing again after a temporary hiatus. Thanks to a new deacon with musical abilities and no fear of heights, you’ll hear them ringing most days at 11:55.

Students participating in Sitka Sound Science Center’s summer camp week, aptly named “Dem Bones,” recently finished assembling the skeleton of a California sea lion. The bones were cleaned and brought to Sitka by Dr. Shannon Atkinson of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. A group of 12 students, ranging from 6th to 12th grade, spent the week learning about the bones and putting the skeleton back together.

If you live in Sitka, you’ve definitely heard of contra dance. And if you live on planet earth, you’ve certainly heard of techno or electronic dance music (EDM).

The state department of Health and Social Services announced the first known case of the Zika Virus in Alaska today. The patient was treated at SEARHC’s Mt. Edgcumbe Hospital in Sitka. The patient, a male from the midwest, traveled in Central America before arriving in Alaska, where he began to experience unusual symptoms. Listen now

The rapid rise of "Pokemon Go" raises interesting issues about technology, discipline, and internet access across huge swaths of the state. Listen now