Dr. Tess Caswell is a Soldotna High School graduate who works as a lead capsule communicator for NASA’s Artemis II mission. The four-member crew is scheduled to return to earth Friday evening.

Cooper Landing Emergency Services Chief Dan Osborn says no one was injured and confirmed Wednesday afternoon the fire had been extinguished.

The budget now heads to the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Assembly members still haven’t decided how much money the borough should give the district. Board members hope to get more money than they budgeted around, which would let them undo some of the cuts.

The event was held by the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Soldotna Republican Rep. Justin Ruffridge, and capped a trio of similar public outreach meetings hosted by the borough.

The theater was awarded a $40,000 grant money from an Anchorage-based nonprofit, which is contingent on a local contribution from the City of Kenai.

City administration presented a 40-page review of the city’s infrastructure and financial trends. The report shows the growth rate of city spending is outpacing how much money it takes in.

Senate leaders says Alaskans shouldn't get their hopes up about a $3,800 Permanent Fund dividend added to the state budget by a House committee. Plus, one of NASA's Mission Control communicators on Artemis II hails from Soldotna.

An electric vehicle charging station catches fire in Cooper Landing. Research facilities are left confused amid a federal restructuring of the U.S. Forest Service. Plus, Jessie Holmes wins the Kobuk 440 after securing consecutive Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race wins.

Voting for the Homer Electric Association Board of Directors is open April 3 through May 7

On today’s episode of the Kenai Conversation, we’re joined by three big players in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s ongoing contract negotiations.