KMXT Midday Report

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:A ballot measure that would repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting and open primary system remains on track to fail, if barely. Homer Mayor Rachel Lord declared a local emergency after water and debris washed over the Homer Spit last weekend. And The Biden administration announced its support for a land exchange that would allow the construction of a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Researchers from an organization that is looking for extraterrestrial life are studying the language of humpback whales. Two Alaska State Troopers each pleaded not guilty to a felony assault charge during an arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse. And a federal court sided with halibut conservationists in a case over new rules limiting halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:The Department of the Interior has set the stage for a controversial land trade that would allow a road to be built through Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is going to be in the spotlight a lot next year. And Skagway is looking to other communities to see if a land trust might help ease the housing crisis.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:The percentage of Alaska high schoolers texting or emailing while driving has jumped over the past few years. Someone made a $10 million mistake buying steel for a critical dock project in Haines. And one Southeast Alaska precinct seemed to overwhelmingly choose a peculiar candidate for the U.S. House earlier this week.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Members of Alaska Legislature's bipartisan coalitions are announcing their leadership and organizing their caucuses. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised its color code for Spurr to yellow, or "advisory" status. And the Hecla Greens Creek mine near Juneau plans to break ground on an expansion sometime next year.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Alaska is well into the start of respiratory disease season, and some trends are emerging. Bipartisan majorities will control both the Alaska House and Senate following the election. And regulations about who could hunt sea otters in Alaska have been clarified.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Preliminary election results are in. An Anchorage solid waste service is distributing usable hazardous waste like paint for free. And more Alaskans are abusing multiple types of drugs.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Polls don't always open in Northwest Alaska. Soldotna residents walk for democracy. And the Coast Guard has wrapped up an international patrol looking for illegal fishing in the North Pacific.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Delta Junction schools briefly locked down Friday afternoon in response to a threat of gun violence that was later determined to be unfounded. Alaska isn’t a swing state in the Presidential election. But the U.S. House race here could help decide who controls Congress. And Alaska’s election results will take some time to come in following Election Day.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:The Canadian government will fund a road leading to Galore Creek Mine, very close to the Stikine River headwaters. A Dillingham family has spent the last several years collecting wooden pallets for an annual pallet maze, which could be the world's largest. And Political groups are spending money supporting opposition candidates.