Laura Kraegel, KUCB - Unalaska
Laura Kraegel covers Unalaska and the Aleutian Islands for KUCB . Originally from Chicago, she first came to Alaska to work at KNOM, reporting on Nome and the Bering Strait Region. (laura@kucb.org / 907.581.6700)
Nome public schools consider recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Nome public schools took the first step toward recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day at a school board work session last week. That’s when Superintendent Shawn Arnold proposed a resolution aimed at adding the holiday to the district’s official calendar.
Nome reindeer ranch fundraises for mobile slaughter units, looking to sell local meat
After five years of rebuilding their herd and corral, the Midnite Sun Reindeer Ranch is ready to take the next step — fundraising for two mobile slaughter units that would let them process and sell the meat from their business just outside of Nome.
Science takes center stage at USARC meeting in Nome
Science was in the spotlight when the U.S. Arctic Research Commission came together for its second and final day of meetings, covering a range of topics — from fire forecasts and walrus tagging to sea ice loss and the nutritional value of reindeer meat.
Download Audio
Bering Air buys eight new planes to replace older Caravans
Bering Air is upgrading its fleet with eight brand-new airplanes — Cessna Caravans worth about $2.5 million dollars each.
With Subsistence Foods Running Short, Bering Strait Villages Receive A Donation of Halibut
For four communities affected by this spring’s poor walrus harvest, help is on its way in the form of 10,000 pounds of halibut.
Download Audio
Village of Wales Starts Polar Bear Patrol to Protect Community
Representatives from four agencies arrived in Wales recently, equipped with 40 pizzas and a slideshow on polar bear deterrents. It was one of the final meetings in a years-long effort to start a community-run polar bear patrol with help from the Alaska Nanuuq Commission, the North Slope Borough, the World Wildlife Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Download Audio
Sikuliaq Docks in Nome, Previews Upcoming Research Missions
The research vessel Sikuliaq docked in Nome on July 21 and opened its doors to local visitors. While touring the ice-capable ship — owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks — visitors asked questions of the crew and learned about their upcoming missions.
Nome Reindeer Ranch Cultivates A New Generation of Herders
In 1967, Larry Davis snow machined from Nome to Cape Espenberg. When he returned, he brought with him 200 reindeer — a herd that would eventually swell to 10,000 in the 1990s. But that’s just a piece of recent history.
Download Audio:
Parasite Plagues Some Yukon Kings
As Yukon salmon continue their summer runs, subsistence fishermen continue to express frustration about gear restrictions, closures, and — now — potentially infected fish.
Download Audio