On-Air Auction

KPEN Coastal Country

2 days ago

What a hero! 🔔💛 12-year-old Nathan Yuill from the Mat-Su Borough officially rang the bell this weekend to mark the end of his fight against stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma! 🎊✨ Even in the middle of his own battle, Nathan showed incredible kindness by delivering 124 Easter baskets to other sick kids in Anchorage area hospitals. 🐰🎁 The community gathered to celebrate his strength, including his kindergarten best friend and his middle school principal, while Mayor Edna DeVries even declared May 9 as Nathan Yuill Day! 📜🎉 Nathan’s mom, Dena, credits their amazing support system for getting them through the toughest days, and now the family is looking forward to a well-deserved road trip across the country. 🚐💨 Nathan says he is most excited for the waterparks! 🌊🙌 Read more about this brave young man and his inspiring journey here: 🔗🎈 #NathanYuillDay #CancerWarrior #MatSuStrong #BellRinging #Inspiration #CommunityLove #HodgkinsLymphomaAwareness #AlaskaHero #GoodNews ... See MoreSee Less

12-year-old boy rings cancer bell after making Easter baskets for sick kids

www.alaskasnewssource.com

Nathan Yuill, who delivered Easter baskets to other sick kids during his own cancer fight, celebrated the end of his treatment over the weekend.

KPEN Coastal Country

2 days ago

Are you trail-ready, Alaska? 🌲🐻 Carrying bear spray is a great first step, but knowing exactly how to use it can make all the difference during a surprise encounter! 🏔️💨 Brian Horner from Learn to Return Training Systems shares that bear spray has a 90% success rate, making it a powerful tool for your outdoor kit. 🎒✨ To stay safe, make sure your canister is easily accessible on your hip, remove that plastic shipping strap before you hike, and always check the expiration date—it is best to replace it every two years! 🗓️✅ If you face a bear, stay calm, aim low toward the ground to create a "cloud" shield, and spray in a back-and-forth motion while backing away slowly. 🛑👣 Never run, and keep talking to the bear to show you are human! 🗣️🐻 Want to master the "park-and-place" technique or learn why firearms might not be the best primary defense? 🧐📖 Read the full expert guide and safety tips here: 🙌 #BearAware #AlaskaHiking #SafetyFirst #BearSpray #ExploreAlaska #HikingTips #WildlifeSafety #TrailReady #AlaskaLife ... See MoreSee Less

Would you know the best way to use bear spray if you needed to?

www.alaskasnewssource.com

Many Alaskans carry bear spray when they’re out hiking, but if you’ve never had to use it, you may wonder if you’d be able to do so properly

KPEN Coastal Country

3 days ago

A powerful new documentary is shining a light on the human stories behind the homelessness crisis in Alaska's largest city. 🎥❄️ Anchorage Welcomes You, created by Norwegian filmmakers Peter Gupta and Rasmus Aarskog Sætersdal, takes an intimate look at the "duality" of life on the streets. 🏙️🤝 Shot over two years, the film moves past political fixes to focus on the people themselves—showing both the struggle of addiction and the incredible capacity for resilience and recovery. 🏔️✨ The title was inspired by a weathered city sign standing above a local encampment, a symbol of the contrast between the city's public image and the reality for those living without shelter. 🏘️💔 The creators hope this project sparks a deep conversation about social fragmentation and the unique spirit of the "Last Frontier" that draws people in, even when they have nowhere else to go. 🌲🙌 Check out the full story on their journey and the people they met along the way here: 📖 #AnchorageWelcomesYou #AlaskaDocumentary #SocialIssues #AnchorageLife #HumanStories #LastFrontier #DocumentaryFilm #CommunityConversation ... See MoreSee Less

Norwegian filmmakers’ documentary spotlights homelessness in Anchorage, aims for Alaska screening

www.alaskasnewssource.com

Two Norwegian filmmakers say their debut documentary, Anchorage Welcomes You, is meant to put viewers face-to-face with people living on Anchorage streets

KPEN Coastal Country

4 days ago

Dozens of community members gathered in Anchorage this week to honor the life of Kelly Hunt, a 19-year-old student who was attending college in Soldotna before her disappearance. ❤️ Kelly, who was originally from Shaktoolik, went missing over three months ago, and her tragic death has sparked an urgent call for change across Alaska. 🕯️ During a candlelight vigil filled with traditional Yup'ik and Iñupiaq songs, families and organizers shared a powerful message: "Kelly deserved better" and "no more stolen siblings." 🪶 The event emphasizes that this isn't just about one name—it is about a systemic need for justice, transparency, and action from officials to protect Indigenous sisters and loved ones. ❤️ We stand with Kelly's family as they push to ensure she is never forgotten and that her story leads to real accountability and better investigations for the community. ❤️ Read more about the vigil and the ongoing movement below.🕯️ #MMIP #MMIWG2S #JusticeForKellyHunt #Alaska #NoMoreStolenSisters #IndigenousJustice #Anchorage #Soldotna #Shaktoolik #MMIW ❤️🕯️🪶 ... See MoreSee Less

Community members remember Kelly Hunt, call for bolstered Anchorage investigations involving Indigenous people

www.adn.com

Hunt’s whereabouts were unknown for more than three months until Anchorage police found her remains on April 20. The circumstances of her disappearance and death remain unknown to the public.

KPEN Coastal Country

5 days ago

The tripod officially fell in the Tanana River, marking the end of the 2026 Nenana Ice Classic at 6:58 p.m. on May 4. 🧊 Workers are now busy entering ticket data to find out who guessed the winning moment and will share the jackpot. 🎟️ This year’s prize is set at $144,749, celebrating a tradition that has spanned over a century in the heart of Alaska. 🏔️ While ticket sales were lower this year due to economic challenges and natural disasters, the spirit of the contest remains strong. 🪵 Organizers also shared an update regarding the push for online ticket sales, which currently faces significant regulatory and legal hurdles. ⚖️ Community support is more important than ever to keep this legendary spring tradition thriving for future generations. ❤️ Check out the full details and official announcement here: #NenanaIceClassic #AlaskaTradition #TananaRiver #IceClassic2026 #AlaskaLife #SpringBreakup #Nenana #ExploreAlaska 🧊⏲️ ... See MoreSee Less

Nenana Ice Classic tripod falls, marking official 2026 winning time

www.alaskasnewssource.com

The tripod has fallen on the Tanana River, ending the 2026 Nenana Ice Classic.

KPEN Coastal Country

5 days ago

Happy Mother’s Day from the Alaska Zoo! 🐻🌷 We celebrated moms and families this Sunday with our annual Bear Aware day, where the stars of the show—our brown and grizzly bears—tested their strength against honey and peanut butter containers to show off some bear-resistant tech! 🍯🐾 Beyond the fun, we teamed up with experts from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Alaska Fish and Game to share life-saving tips. 🎒✨ Education Director Rich Capitan reminds us that whether you are on the Coastal Trail or in your own backyard, being bear aware is key for our safety and theirs! 🌲🏃‍♂️ Remember to ditch the headphones while trail running, secure your trash and birdseed, and come practice with bear spray so you are ready for your next adventure. 🏔️🙌 Read more about the event and get the full safety checklist here: #AlaskaZoo #BearAware #LivingWithBears #MotherDay #AlaskaLife #WildlifeSafety #BearSafety #ExploreAlaska ... See MoreSee Less

Alaska Zoo uses Mother’s Day event to preach bear awareness

www.alaskasnewssource.com

With mothers getting free entry, the Alaska Zoo treated them, their families, and all the rest of their patrons to a “Bear Aware” day Sunday.

KPEN Coastal Country

6 days ago

From the shores of Alaska to the global stage, Indigenous artists like Cheyenne Nelson and Jamie Nurauq Stallings are sharing their culture through breathtaking handmade jewelry 🌊✨ These artists use materials like otter, fox, and rabbit fur—often sourced from scraps or traditional hunts—to ensure nothing goes to waste and every life is honored. However, a major shift is coming 🛑 Etsy has announced a new ban on many fur products starting August 11, leaving many Alaska Native creators feeling ostracized and disconnected from the global community they have built. For these artists, fur isn't just a material; it is a connection to heritage, language, and a way of respecting the land 🦊🌿 This policy could disproportionately impact Indigenous voices who use their craft to bridge cultures and share the beauty of their traditions with the world. Will this move by Etsy silence traditional art, or will it inspire a new platform dedicated to Indigenous creators? 🏔️ Read the full story here: #AlaskaNativeArt #IndigenousArtists #TraditionalCraft #ShopSmall #SupportIndigenousBusiness #CulturalHeritage #ArtIsConnection #AlaskaLife #HandmadeJewelry #SustainableArt 🎨✨ ... See MoreSee Less

Alaska Native artists say Etsy’s new fur ban discriminates against Indigenous sellers

www.adn.com

Etsy’s new policy doesn’t appear to have exceptions for Indigenous artists, whose rights to harvest animals and create traditional crafts are often protected by federal law.