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What’s a “sun dog”?

The bitterly cold temperatures are lingering, but there is more daylight to enjoy. Last week, we experienced a remarkable atmospheric phenomenon: bright, colorful spots of light on either side of the sun, observed as the sun sat low on the horizon. The scientific name is parhelion, but here in Alaska we call them “sun dogs.” […]

Amid the cold, construction begins for our new studios!

Western Alaska village temperatures are dropping, and wind chills sometimes reach 50 below. The north wind is relentless, and it is cold! Any exposed skin quickly reddens and is accompanied by an unmistakable stinging sensation, reminding you to cover up or get inside where it is warm. Even with these cold temperatures, the construction crew […]

An exciting milestone!

It’s both exciting and humbling to report the continued progress of our campaign for the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios. We’ve just passed a crucial landmark; with donations now approaching $500,000, we have enough funds to build Phase 1 of the project, the outside frame of our studio annex. The digital studios project will […]

Studio fund: over $400,000!

Step by step, our studio renovation and expansion project – the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios – is moving forward as the calendar turns over into 2013. As we go to press, we’re anticipating the first phases of construction to begin any day. Our contractors will use the special shipments of wood, pictured at […]

Onward with our new studios!

We can’t imagine a more wonderful Christmas gift than the outpouring of generosity we’ve received for our major studio renovation and expansion project: the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios. By year’s end, with your help, we hope to have enough funds to sustain us through the first phase of the studios’ construction (slated through […]

Ready for (more) construction!

Somewhere in the cargo containers you see above (recently unloaded from a massive barge shipment at Nome’s port) are the materials we’ll soon use to continue construction on the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios. We so appreciate all who have given their time, talents, and treasure to allow this project to move forward. The […]

Halloween, 1970: The AM tower is complete

October 31, 1970 The AM tower construction is complete. Nome Joint Utilities runs a power line across the tundra to the tower, and it is lighted. It’s finished just in time. Two days later, blizzards shut down Nome for almost three weeks.

In Western Alaska, winter’s coming – and quickly

The snow covers mountains, hills, and the tundra. On clear nights, we are blessed with colorful auroras as the night sparkles with stars and planets. The scenic majesty of bush Alaska is breathtaking during the day and at night. As the seasons change and the thermometer falls towards zero, we thank all who help us […]

October 1971: The loss of Brother Huck

October 8, 1971 Traveling by small boat from the village of Pilot Station to St. Mary’s, 33-year-old Br. John Huck, SJ, and three others drown when their boat capsizes near the confluence of the Yukon and Andreafsky Rivers. Huck, who directed construction on the studio building, had become a great friend to the KNOM crew, […]

Construction underway!

Construction of the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios has begun! The pilings are in place, and the contractor will arrive soon to build our super-insulated addition. Please pray that more supporters come forward to make this last dream of the late Tom Busch a reality. We are so thankful for your gifts and for […]