Emily Schwing, NNN - Northwest News Network
AK: The crafty side of AFN
People have come to Fairbanks from all over the state to sell their handmade goods during the Alaska Federation of Native Conference this week. At the craft fair, you can find everything from ivory carvings and hand-made masks to mukluks, kuspuks and even kippered salmon. With few available jobs in the villages, these handicrafts and homemade foods are one of the few ways people pay their bills. Listen Now
AK: High tunnel greenhouses on the Kenai Peninsula
Alaska, a farming capitol? It seems far-fetched, but it’s fast becoming a reality. In the last six years, a federal cost chare program through the USDA means giant greenhouses are popping up all over the state. Most of them can be spotted on the Kenai Peninsula. Listen now
Young skiers enjoy the Nana Nordic Program in Ambler, AK
in 2011, an Olympic skier started a program to get kids in four Western Arctic villages in Alaska outside and on skis. Five years later, that program, known as NANA Nordic, has expanded to 40 villages statewide, with help from over 100 volunteer cross-country ski coaches.
Standings remain competitive as Kobuk 440 mid-point nears
The small community of Ambler was buzzing all day as dog teams pulled in for a rest roughly 200 miles into the Kobuk 440. The community gave mushers a warm welcome serving up platefuls of French toast, sheefish and all kinds of other treats. But dog teams have roughly 240 miles of travel ahead and it’s still anybody’s race. Download Audio
Fifteen mushers set to compete in Kobuk 440 Race
The last major sled dog race of the season got underway Thursday in Kotzebue. Fifteen mushers drew bib numbers Wednesday night at the start banquet for mid-distance Kobuk 440. Download Audio
Some of the fastest teams ever among top ten Iditarod finishers
Never in Iditarod history have as many teams finished the 1000 mile race in under nine days, but this year, eight of the top ten teams did just that. Some of the mushers who crossed the finish line faced enormous adversity on their way to Nome. But without any major weather events most of the mushing that took place was simply the fastest in the race’s history. Download Audio
AK: New “marriage” between Iditarod and politics
It’s not rare to see mushers touting various brands and companies as they drive their dog teams down the Iditarod trail. Sponsorship is a major source of financial support. This year a few mushers have gotten involved in touting political candidates as both the congressional and presidential election season heats up. Download Audio
For some teams, Iditarod’s final miles make the biggest difference
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race is 1,000 miles long, but for a couple dog teams, the most competitive stretch of trail came down to the final mile.
Dallas Seavey wins 2016 Iditarod in record time
In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, Dallas Seavey and his dog team came running down front to claim victory in this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and he set a new race record. The younger Seavey finished less than an hour ahead of his father.
Father and son face off in Iditarod sprint finish
The top three teams in this year’s Iditarod have pulled into White Mountain, the final big stop along the trail. But as KNOM’s Emily Schwing reports, it’s not entirely clear who will finish first. Download Audio
Trio of Iditarod leaders neck-and-neck on final stretch
A day-long march up the coast and across the sea ice has boiled down to an honest race for Nome as a father-son duo from Seward battle it out on the Iditarod trail against each other and an Interior musher who has trained tirelessly to cross under the burled arch ahead of the pack. This year’s race could come down to a combination of speed and power among dogs and pure grit and desire among mushers.
Download Audio
INTERVIEW: Brent Sass leads Iditarod to the Bering Sea coast
Brent Sass has been hard to catch in this year’s Iditarod. He has camped outside of checkpoints for the majority of the race, stopping only long enough to grab food and supplies, running his team much like he would in Alaska’s other 1,000 mile sled dog race, the Yukon Quest.
Download Audio
Sass exits ‘camping mode’ as Iditarod kicks into high gear
Unalakleet was buzzing overnight as Iditarod mushers and their dog teams arrived on the Bering Sea Coast. As KNOM’s Emily Schwing reports, their sense of urgency was palpable.
Download Audio
INTERVIEW: Aliy Zirkle’s race continues after snowmachine incident
When Aliy Zirkle sped through Kaltag, she refused to answer question about an incident that involved a snow machine collision on the Yukon River overnight. After traveling down the trail in the afternoon sun for a few hours, Zirkle decided to camp with her dog team until afternoon temperatures cooled.
Download Audio
INTERVIEW: Sitting down with Aliy Zirkle in Galena
On Friday, before Aliy Zirkle and her team's run-in with a person riding a snowmachine who, according to an Iditarod press release, deliberately tried to harm her and her team, KNOM's Emily Schwing sat down with her during a Galena during Zirkle's mandatory 8-hour layover.
Fans show support as Zirkle moves through Kaltag
Shock is the best way to describe the reaction from spectators and mushers alike as news of a rogue snowmachine attack on two well-known mushers broke early Saturday morning.
Checking in with Iditarod mushers Baker and Burmeister
Mushers and their teams are making their runs down the Yukon River. KNOM’s Emily Schwing caught up with two mushers who have roots in Western Alaska mushers to find out how their races are going.
INTERVIEW: Jeff King describes snowmachine attack
In the early hours of Saturday morning, Jeff King's dog team was attacked by a reckless snowmachiner. One of his dogs was killed, two are seriously injured. KNOM's Emily Schwing caught up with King in the Nulato checkpoint to find out what happened.
Sass and Zirkle lead Iditarod down Yukon River
Dog teams moved swiftly down the Yukon River all Friday afternoon. Many came off an eight-hour rest, but some mushers chose to push their teams before taking the mandatory break on the river. KNOM’s Emily Schwing reports.
Download Audio
Musher Ken Anderson receives 2-hour time penalty
When he came into Ruby Friday morning, race officials informed Ken Anderson that they would add two hours to his mandatory eight-hour layover. The penalty comes after Anderson violated rule 38 and ran more than two dogs abreast.