Shahla Farzan, KBBI - Homer
Shahla Farzan is a reporter with KBBI - Homer.
Shahla first caught the radio bug as a world music host for WMHC, the oldest college radio station operated exclusively by women. Before coming to KBBI, she worked at Capital Public Radio in Sacramento and as a science writer for the California Environmental Legacy Project. She is currently completing her Ph.D in ecology at the University of California-Davis, where she studies native bees.
When she's not producing audio stories, you can find Shahla beachcombing or buried in a good book.
Kenai Peninsula invocation lawsuit has roots in New York case
For the past six months, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly has debated whether it should restrict who gives the opening prayer at each assembly meeting. They’re not alone; similar disputes are taking place across the country. Several years ago, a lawsuit over prayer in public meetings consumed a town in upstate New York, eventually making its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Listen now
Homer City Council votes down ‘inclusivity’ resolution
Homer City Council heard a resolution on Monday that would have officially expressed the town’s commitment to fighting discrimination and maintaining a safe, inclusive city. Dozens of residents turned out to provide public testimony, highlighting sharp divides within the community. Listen now
Students work to reduce ocean trash, one spork at a time
A new educational program is working to stop marine debris before it starts. Students from schools across the Kenai Peninsula have partnered with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies to cut down on their consumption of single-use plastics. Listen now
Carbon monoxide a factor in Soldotna deaths
The deaths of two Soldotna residents found in a burned truck in November have been ruled accidental. Listen now
After die-off, sea stars face uncertain future
Sea star wasting syndrome was first documented in Kachemak Bay in 2014, but it wasn’t until last summer that the mysterious infection began killing sea stars in large numbers. Listen now
Alaska’s gender wage gap among largest in U.S.
Alaska has one of the largest wage gaps between men and women in the country, according to a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released Tuesday. Listen now
Kenai Borough Assembly to consider eliminating religious invocation
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly voted to introduce an ordinance on Feb. 14 that would put an end to the invocation that begins each meeting. Listen now
AK: Options dwindle for orphaned sea otters
In coastal Alaska, a bacterial infection has caused adult sea otter die-offs in record numbers. Meanwhile, researchers have seen a steep increase in the number of orphaned pups over the last several years. Listen now
Smyth wins Tustumena 200 sled dog race
After a three-year hiatus, the Kenai Peninsula’s Tustumena 200 sled dog race was finally able to celebrate its 30th anniversary this weekend. Iditarod veteran Cim Smyth of Big Lake took first place, followed closely by Girdwood musher Nicolas Petit. Listen now
Researchers say Kenai Peninsula permafrost thawing rapidly
Permafrost is thawing at a brisk rate across Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula is no exception. Listen now
River otters use latrines as social hubs
When it comes to picking a good place to socialize, the bathroom probably isn’t high on your list. For coastal river otters in Southcentral Alaska, however, the bathroom is a major social hub. Listen now
Asian tapeworm found in Alaskan salmon
Scientists recently announced they had found an Asian tapeworm species in pink salmon caught off the coast of the Kenai Peninsula. Listen now
Board of Game approves Kenai wolf control program
The Alaska Board of Game reauthorized a proposal to reduce the Kenai Peninsula wolf population on Jan. 9. It aims to increase the region’s annual moose harvest by reducing the number of predators. Listen now
Homer students to compete in state robotics championship
This winter, a group of middle schoolers at West Homer Elementary are putting aside hockey sticks and skis in favor of a more unusual team sport: building robots. Listen now
49 Voices: Jack Bennett of Homer
This week we're hearing from Jack Bennett from Homer. Bennett is an industrial hemp advocate looking to establish more hemp homes throughout rural Alaska. Listen now
Kenai Borough Assembly upholds invocation policy
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is standing behind their controversial invocation policy. Listen now
ACLU sues Kenai Peninsula Borough over religious invocation policy
The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska (ACLU) is following through with its threat to sue the Kenai Peninsula Borough over its invocation policy. Listen Now
Seniors find companionship through Kenaitze program
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is wrapping up the first year of its new Senior Companion Program. The program pairs volunteers with fellow seniors who live on the Central Kenai Peninsula. Listen Now
MAPP releases results of Community Health Needs Assessment
The southern Kenai Peninsula’s health improvement coalition, MAPP, released the results of its most recent three-year survey on Dec. 9.
Mysterious beak deformities may be caused by virus
It’s been almost 20 years since large numbers of birds with unusually long beaks first appeared in Alaska. The birds, whose beaks grow at twice the normal rate, often die from starvation because they can’t feed themselves. Researchers now believe a virus may be causing the beak deformities. Listen Now