On Friday night in Bethel, the Kuskokwim 300 celebrated its 40th annual sled dog race. Over four decades the race has attracted Alaska’s best mushers, while offering a growing purse and serving as a cornerstone of local mushing. The founders say they could not have predicted how well known and respected that the race would become, or the local champion it would shape.
KYUK - Bethel
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Federal shutdown makes safety on the Kuskokwim more expensive
For decades, Bethel Search and Rescue has flown with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor winter river conditions. But the shutdown has forced the group to turn to pricey commercial airlines for help.
Meet the woman who makes sure K300 dogs are ready to race
There’s no physician for the mushers during the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, but a team of volunteer veterinarians checks each dog before the race, at the checkpoints, and after the teams cross the finish. The program has come together for nearly 30 years largely through of the efforts of one woman.
Newtok is on the move
It’s taken more than 20 years, but the Newtok relocation effort is going into hyperdrive this summer, with construction planned for the community center, infrastructure, residences and more.
Could tiny homes be a big solution for coastal Alaska’s housing crisis?
Coastal Villages Region Fund is trying to provide a new model for coastal Alaska communities, where housing is no tiny issue.
Sen. Lyman Hoffman joins Senate majority caucus as lone Democrat
Sen. Hoffman, D-Bethel, will be a majority member of the Senate Finance Committee — though not as a co-chairman, a position he had held since 2007.
Outgoing Lt. Gov. Davidson considers political future in Alaska
Back in high school, one of Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson’s career goals was to one day become governor. The outgoing lieutenant governor has ruled nothing out as far as continuing her life in politics.
Dunleavy’s win leaves a lot of uncertainty for rural education
A former rural educator is about to become Alaska’s next governor. How the Dunleavy administration addresses public education policy is a big question looming over rural schools across the state.
Youth who increase voter turnout could win big cash with this contest
The school or youth group that increases the voter turnout in its district the most wins. The first place winner will receive $10,000, and the second place winner will receive $5,000.
Amid growing global demand for aircraft mechanics, local training program opens in Y-K Delta
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta has a severe shortage of aircraft mechanics. A new Bethel training program wants to fill the gap with local workers.