AK: At Wales’ Kingikmiut Festival, dancing to heal
Last month, the community of Wales, in Western Alaska, hosted one of the biggest Alaska Native dance festivals in the state. 10 groups from around the region and as far as Anchorage flew in to the village over Labor Day weekend, to sing, dance, drum, talk — and heal. Listen now
AK: Juneau business showcases diverse artists’ work in postcard contest
Kindred Post, a post office, gift shop and gathering space in downtown Juneau held a recent art contest. The prize? 10 winners will now get their art printed on the shop’s postcards. The selections came from around the state, and from a purposely diverse group of artists. Listen now
AK: $15,000 and 2,000 miles later, Kotzebue High volleyball players show Sitka their skills
Alaska’s high school sports teams spend a lot of time and money on travel. But $15,000 and 2,000 miles for a single trip? That’s unusual. Earlier this month the Kotzebue Girls Volleyball team travelled to Sitka to play Mount Edgecumbe and Sitka High School. Listen now
AK: At Katmai’s Brooks Camp, tourists and bears mingle mostly carefree
NPS has recorded only three bear-related incidents dating to 1950 at its most famous viewing spot. Park rangers attribute that to good orientation, supervision, accountability of food and gear, and abundant supply of Bristol Bay sockeye. Listen now
AK: Archaeologists shed light on Tlingit culture near Petersburg, before Europeans
The small island town of Petersburg in Southeast, Alaska is known for its Norwegian heritage. But archaeologists are finding more evidence that Mitkof Island is just like others in the region. Tlingit people had settlements around Petersburg for thousands of years before Europeans planted their roots. Listen now
AK: Petersburg family leads charge to save historic cabin in Tongass National Forest
90 privately-owned cabins were grandfathered into the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska when areas of it were designated as wilderness. But once the cabins are passed down one generation, they are slated to be removed or destroyed. Listen now
AK: Gold claims expand as Herbert Glacier retreats
A retreating glacier is exposing virgin territory about 20 miles north of Juneau. Mining claims around the Herbert Glacier has a Canadian prospecting company excited and environmentalists concerned. Listen now
AK: Cyclists support the fight against cancer while riding from Texas to Alaska
Last week 70 cyclists completed the longest annual charity bicycle ride in the world from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. Every year the Texas 4000 raises thousands of dollars for cancer research. Listen now
AK: Metlakatla residents celebrate their community’s 130th birthday
Every year on August 7, the Metlakatla Indian Community celebrates its founding with a day of art, food and prayer. Listen now
AK: Southeast researchers are keeping up with the humpbacks
When animals are removed from the Endangered Species List, who keeps tabs on them? Often, the work of monitoring populations falls on volunteers. Listen now
AK: Russian adventurers look to retrace Alaska route of past countrymen
This summer, an expedition of Russian adventurers arrived in Dillingham to retrace an historic route taken by Russian explorers in 1830, when Alaska was under the control of the Russian Empire. Listen now
AK: Juneau cops and homeless strike common ground at the bowling alley
Earlier this month, homeless Juneau residents and local police competed on equal terms at a downtown bowling alley to draw donations for the cities Glory Hole homeless shelter. Listen now
AK: Mod Carousel brings boylesque world premiere to Juneau
For eight years Seattle-based boylesque collective Mod Carousel blurs gender expression in Alaska. It’s newest show, Gilded makes its world premiere in Alaska. Juneau residents will be treated to the world premiere of a dance production this weekend. Listen now
AK: ANSEP students get an inside look on the world of sharks
Last week, more than 50 students from the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program participated in a Career Exploration program, delving into the realm of marine science. The week-long program was designed to introduce the students to marine biology. Listen now
AK: Ketchikan Arts Council hosts summertime story slams
On a recent evening in Ketchikan, locals and seasonal residents gathered at the Arctic Bar to carry on perhaps the oldest tradition known to humankind – storytelling. It was a chance for residents to tell their deepest secrets and reveal their sillier sides. Listen now
AK: How do you grow a zoo in Anchorage?
The Alaska Zoo has dramatically transformed over the last five decades. The process of expanding a collection of rare animals isn't easy. None the less, there have been some acquisitions lately. The process of integrating new wildlife into the facility combines non-profit budgeting with the whims of mother nature. Listen now
AK: World’s only urban king fishery has lines casting in downtown Anchorage
Anchorage's annual Slam'n Salm'n Derby is in full swing this week. Since last Friday, fishermen at Ship Creek have been competing to see who can hook the biggest king salmon. Listen now
AK: Juneau city manager: ‘People genuinely don’t have somewhere to go’
A tent city sprang up in Alaska's capital city this spring. Juneau is struggling with a ballooning homeless population and so far efforts to crack down have just moved the problem around. KTOO's Jacob Resneck reports.
AK: McPherson Music leaves behind a legacy of Ketchikan performers
McPherson Music has been the cornerstone of Ketchikan’s music scene since the 1980s. Now, though, McPherson Music is for sale. Listen now
AK: Fire investigators train to determine how blazes begin
When a fire breaks out, it’s not always obvious how it started. Not only could the entire structure be wiped out, but items that started the fire could be partially destroyed or altered beyond recognition. That’s the job of the fire investigator: interview witnesses and find clues at the scene that would help them determine how the fire started. Listen now