Seward Public Radio

Seward Public Radio Public Media for Seward, Moose Pass and the Eastern Kenai Peninsula Kenai Mountains Public Media, Inc.

d/b/a Seward Public Radio
11447 Seward Highway
Seward, AK 99664

91.7, KIBH-FM, Seward
VHF 7, K07PG-D, Seward
UHF 17, K17IX-D, Bear Creek
106.1 Seward
97.1 Crown Point
96.1 Moose Pass
99.9 Hope

Officers, Board of Directors
-Jeff Wolf, President, Compliance officer
-Wolf Kurtz, Vice President
-Sara Dietrich, Secretary
-Elizabeth Dunn, Treasurer
-William Lapinskas
-Sean Ulman
-George O'Dell
-Dolly

Wiles
-Melissa

State of Alaska Entity #10021787
https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/Main/Search/Entities

06/05/2026

To***co Bill Heads To Governor After Debate Over Vapes, Military Exemptions, and Cigar Lounges

The Alaska State Legislature has approved a sweeping to***co bill that would impose the state’s first tax on electronic ci******es and va**ng products, raise the legal to***co purchase age to 21, and legalize cigar lounges.

Senate Bill 24 passed during the final day of the legislative session and now heads to Governor Mike Dunleavy. If signed into law, the new v**e taxes would take effect January first, twenty twenty-eight.

Supporters say the measure modernizes Alaska’s to***co laws and addresses growing concerns about youth ni****ne addiction.

Representative Andy Josephson of Anchorage said the bill creates parity between traditional to***co products and electronic ci******es by taxing and regulating both.

Under the legislation, va**ng products would face a new 25 percent retail tax. Alaska law would also formally align with a 2019 federal law that raised the to***co purchasing age to 21 nationwide.

State health data shows 17 percent of Alaska high school students reported using e-ci******es or va**ng products in 2023, down from 26 percent in 2019.

Lawmakers also added a provision legalizing cigar lounges through a floor amendment offered by Representative Kevin McCabe of Big Lake. The amendment narrowly passed despite objections from some lawmakers who argued it conflicted with the bill’s public health goals.

Another proposed amendment that would have exempted active-duty military members ages 19 and 20 from underage to***co penalties failed to pass.

The Department of Revenue estimates the new v**e tax could generate between $1.3 and $33 million annually.

Governor Dunleavy has not yet announced whether he plans to sign or veto the measure.

Seward Public Radio | Juneau | Dorene Lorenz.

06/04/2026

Sullivan Says Alaska Seeing Largest Military Build-Up Since World War II

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan says Alaska is experiencing what could be the largest military build-up in the state since World War Two.

Speaking Thursday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Sullivan highlighted billions of dollars in military investment now flowing into Alaska,
including a $7 billion recapitalization project at JBER that he says could create roughly 4,000 private-sector jobs.

Sullivan also pointed to plans for multiple Coast Guard icebreakers to be homeported in Alaska as the nation increases its focus on Arctic security and competition with Russia and China.

The senator attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the expansion of NSA Alaska, a National Security Agency operation based at JBER. The expansion increases staffing from about 400 to roughly 500 personnel.

According to Sullivan, the Alaska operation includes Russian language specialists, cryptologists, and Arctic intelligence analysts focused heavily on Russian military activity in the North.

The expansion comes as Alaska continues to grow in strategic importance due to its proximity to Russia and the increasing military and shipping activity across the Arctic.

For communities like Seward, increased Arctic investment could eventually translate into additional marine traffic, port infrastructure opportunities, and expanded Coast Guard operations tied to northern security missions.

Sullivan called the expansion good news for national security and Alaska’s economy, while describing it as “bad news for Russia.”

Seward Public Radio | Juneau | Dorene Lorenz

06/03/2026

Civics Education Bill Heads To Governor After Strong Bipartisan Support

Alaska high school students could soon be required to complete civics education before graduation under a bill passed by lawmakers in the final hours of this year’s legislative session.

Senate Bill 23 passed the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support and is now before Governor Mike Dunleavy for consideration.

The measure would require students to demonstrate knowledge of government, citizenship, and civic responsibilities by either completing a semester-long civics course, passing a civics exam, or finishing a project-based civics assessment.

The measure would require students to demonstrate knowledge of government, citizenship and civic responsibilities by either completing a semester-long civics course, passing a civics exam or finishing a project-based civics assessment.
Supporters say the bill comes at a critical time as public trust in government continues to decline nationwide.

Senate President Gary Stevens, a Republican from Kodiak and the bill’s sponsor, has said the goal is to strengthen understanding of democratic institutions and encourage informed civic participation among young Alaskans.

Under the proposal, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development would provide free curriculum resources covering topics such as the U.S.

Constitution, Alaska’s Constitution, federalism, civil rights, elections, political parties, foreign policy, and Alaska Native systems of governance.

Under the proposal, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development would provide free curriculum resources covering topics such as the U.S. Constitution, Alaska’s Constitution, federalism, civil rights, elections, political parties, foreign policy, and Alaska Native systems of governance.

The bill passed by a combined legislative vote of 57 to 3.

Governor Dunleavy has not yet announced whether he will sign the measure, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

Seward Public Radio | Juneau | Dorene Lorenz

06/02/2026

Interstate Licensing Compacts Could Expand Rural Health Access In Alaska

House Bill 110 would make it easier for certain out-of-state medical professionals to become licensed in Alaska through interstate compacts. The legislation applies to doctors, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, and emergency medical personnel.

House Bill 110 would make it easier for certain out-of-state medical professionals to become licensed in Alaska through interstate compacts. The legislation applies to doctors, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers and emergency medical personnel.

The move is tied to Alaska’s participation in the federal Rural Health Transformation Program created under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

State health officials told federal agencies that Alaska would pursue the interstate agreements as part of its application for a share of $50 billion in nationwide rural health funding. Alaska could receive more than one billion dollars over five years.

Supporters say the legislation could help address long-standing workforce shortages, especially in remote communities where recruiting health care providers remains difficult.

But some lawmakers raised concerns about surrendering state authority over professional licensing standards.

Senator Cathy Giessel of Anchorage said Alaska’s unique geography and medical needs require local oversight rather than shared national standards.

Lawmakers also passed House Bill 195, which would allow pharmacists to treat certain minor and chronic conditions. Supporters say the measure could improve access to care in underserved communities where physicians are limited.

Both bills are now before Governor Mike Dunleavy for his consideration.

Seward Public Radio | Juneau | Dorene Lorenz.

06/02/2026

HB 1: Specie as Legal Tender officially became law on Friday!

Beginning August 28th, consumers and businesses will have the option to exchange specie (gold or silver coins and bullion) as legal tender in Alaska and exempts their exchange from taxation!

I was proud to carry SB 162, its companion bill, through the Senate, but it was truly a team effort. I would like to thank Rep. Kevin McCabe and his team for sponsoring HB 1, the Sound Money Defense League, Governor Dunleavy, my colleagues, and everyone who helped get this bill across the finish line!

HB 1/SB 162 aligns Alaska with the U.S. Constitution’s recognition of gold and silver as legal tender. Simply put, it treats money as money. Alaska’s rich history in gold and precious metals continues to grow with the enactment of HB 1!

Car chase suspect apprehendedThe suspect in a car theft and chase was apprehended in the 8 a.m. hour Monday morning afte...
06/01/2026

Car chase suspect apprehended

The suspect in a car theft and chase was apprehended in the 8 a.m. hour Monday morning after an extended search of the Exit Glacier area near Seward.

The pursuit began Sunday afternoon beyond Cooper Landing and the trail ended on Herman Leirer Road, also known as Exit Glacier Road, where the suspect ditched the vehicle and fled on foot into the wild.

The suspect, described as a 6-foot-tall adult male with red hair, a red beard, and a black jacket, was apprehended Monday morning, exhibiting signs of exposure.

Local first responders were on scene at mile 3.5 of Herman Leirer Road at 8:34 a.m. to medically evaluate the suspect, who then remained in Alaska State Trooper custody for transport.

He will be booked by AST on various charges after a visit to the hospital.

06/01/2026

Alaska unemployment benefits get boost from bill

Alaska lawmakers have approved the first increase in state unemployment benefits since 2009.

The bill would also triple the dependent allowance to $72 per week and tie future benefit increases to wage growth..

The proposal, included in House Bill 302, would raise the maximum weekly unemployment payment by one hundred dollars, from three hundred seventy dollars to four hundred seventy dollars per week.

Supporters say the changes are long overdue.

Juneau Senator Jesse Kiehl told lawmakers the increase would move Alaska slightly above the national median for unemployment benefits while helping workers stay housed and fed as they search for new employment.

State labor officials say the unemployment trust fund is financially strong enough to absorb the increase without requiring higher contributions from employers. As of late 2024, the fund reportedly held nearly one hundred eighty-six million dollars more than the minimum amount required by law.

Backers argue the higher benefits could help Alaska retain skilled workers in seasonal industries such as construction, oil and gas, and commercial fishing.

The issue is particularly relevant to communities like Seward, where tourism, maritime work, construction, and seasonal employment play a significant role in the local economy. Workers facing layoffs during slower periods could see additional financial support if the measure becomes law.

The bill passed largely along caucus lines, with Republican minority lawmakers opposing the measure. Critics objected in part because the unemployment provisions were added late in the session to a bill originally focused on travel insurance.

Governor Mike Dunleavy has not yet indicated whether he plans to sign the legislation.

Seward Public Radio/Dorene Lorenz/Juneau

Suspect search, Herman Leirer closed at gateAfter a medium speed chase in a stolen Subaru like vehicle, the search is on...
06/01/2026

Suspect search, Herman Leirer closed at gate

After a medium speed chase in a stolen Subaru like vehicle, the search is on for a suspect beyond the park gate on Herman Leirer Road.

According to sources, the pursuit took place from at least Cooper Landing to the Exit Glacier area, and the suspect was involved in at least one vehicular collision with members of the general public along the way.

The road into the park is closed until further notice as the Alaska State Troopers are asking the public to avoid the neighborhood.

AST and other law enforcement officers are currently searching for the vehicle theft suspect who fled on foot.

Along with the ground search, there are two helicopters in the air, all canvassing for a man described as 6-foot-tall with red hair, a red beard, and a black jacket.

If you see anyone matching this description, do not approach them. Call the Alaska State Troopers immediately at (907) 262-4453.

Update: As of 10:15 p.m., fugitive has not been apprehended. AST is no longer posted at the gates, but advises the public to stay clear of Exit Glacier beyond the second gate as law enforcement continue their operations.

Update: As of 8:15 a.m., Monday, June 1, 2026, the search continues...

Update: 8:28 a.m., local first responders dispatched for medical assistance at mile 2.5 Exit Glacier Road/Herman Leirer on an AST request. The patient is an adult male, reportedly in some distress having experienced exposure.

Update: 8:34 a.m., first responders from Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department on scene at mile 3.5 Herman Leirer at the river flats. AST and Forest Service law enforcement at scene.

Update: 8:45 a.m., medical transport (Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps) arrived on scene.

Update: 8:57 a.m., suspect having been evaluated will remain in custody of law enforcement for transport to Providence Seward. First responders clear of scene.

Address

11447 Seward Highway
Seward, AK
99664

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Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
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