Education funding. It’s the single biggest expense for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, and paying those costs with current levels of revenue is getting more and more difficult. Last year, the school district ran a deficit of about $2 million. That could be the case again this year, with a projected deficit between $1.3 million.

Earlier this fall, Hilcorp began exploring for natural gas and oil in an Anchor Point neighborhood where many own their mineral rights. That’s making it difficult for some residents and landowners near the drill site to get information about the project and any future plans Hilcorp may have.

To an early homesteader or, especially, native Alaskans before that, there’s been a whole lot of stuff built on the Kenai the past 70 or so years. And not all of it was done with an eye toward what would be best for both humans and wildlife habitat. But we’re learning.

Many thanks to Nelson Kempf and Keeley Boyle for performing live in the studio for our Fall Membership Drive. You can find their music on iTunes (and in the audio file below).
 

  Velma Bittick and Will Hightower join host Jay Barrett as they answer your questions about gardening.

  With the MLB Winter Meetings underway, the Men with Notepads from the Peninsula Clarion, sports scribes Jeff Helminiak and Joey Klecka, join Jay Barrett as they dissect the World of Sports. 

Penny loves her toy Pup so much she thinks she doesn't need any other friends. But when Pup is lost, Penny learns we all need a little help sometimes. Sally Cassano reads "Penny and Pup" by Linda Jennings.

Cheers to the holidays! On this month’s Drinking on the Last Frontier with Bill Howell, Bill has ideas of beer pairings with favorite holiday foods, plus a look at what’s on tap at St. Elias Brewing, and a visit with Kodiak Island Brewery.