Council members added roughly a quarter of a million dollars in one-time spending during their Wednesday meeting.

The borough budget designates money for local schools, road work, borough landfills, service areas and government operations, among other things.

Council member Jordan Chilson says the changes were inspired by a conversation about how Soldotna should accommodate remote participation in city meetings.

State lawmakers put $144 million in bonus funding for K-12 schools in the state operating budget, of which Kenai Peninsula schools would get around $9.5 million. The additional funding is subject to approval by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

The project is backed by $16.7 million in federal grants and local matching funds.

River John Aspelund was initially deemed incompetent to stand trial after he was diagnosed with schizophrenia following his arrest. The state Court of Appeals later ruled he could be involuntarily medicated.

Kenai City Council members pass the city's budget. Developers of the Alaska LNG Project release the project's first detailed public cost estimates. Plus, Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich III are quiet on two of President Donald Trump's two controversial priorities.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members adopt a budget. Passengers on a cruise ship touring Southeast contract a gastrointestinal illness. Plus, U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport intercept trafficked wildlife.

On this week's episode of the Kenai Conversation, we're joined by Sara Hondel, the new executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce.

KDLL's staff talk about journalism, the station's outlook and the 2026 Spring Membership Drive