Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, Steve Kirsch, with the Alaska Division of Elections. Listen in as they discuss the upcoming election season.

The Alaska Division of Elections (DOE) is publishing a Ballot Measure Pamphlet (BMP) for the 2026 Primary Election. This is the first BMP issued by the DOE since 2014.

Image and Text Credit: Alaska Division of Elections.

Construction continues on the new library

Photo Credit: Big Cabbage Radio

Graduates at the Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center in Palmer will walk across the stage next week. They will wear caps and gowns. Pomp and Circumstance will play. The graduation ceremony is next Friday, August 14, at the Job Corps Center on Lynn Martin Drive in Palmer.

Center Director Bobbie Irvin sees graduation as a time to celebrate more than completed classes. It’s a day to honor young people who are making the most of their lives.

Irvin said, “I think the only thing that really keeps young people from succeeding is opportunity. And we have this great opportunity. And when they take advantage of it, they’re better for it, and they know that.”

Irvin knows opportunity first hand. He jumped at the chance to run the Center two years ago. He packed up his car and made the move to Alaska along with his dog.

United States Representative Don Young worked to establish the first and only Job Corps Center in Alaska. It opened in Palmer in 1994. It was renamed for Don Young after his death in 2022.

The Center is open to students aged 16 to 24 who fall under the poverty guidelines. Most students come from villages in Western Alaska.

The program is free. Transportation, room, and board are covered. Graduates receive a cash bonus of $1,250 for graduating.

The Center offers eight trade certificates. They range from welding and culinary arts to the only water treatment program at a Job Corps across the country.

A number of young women want to get the water treatment certification according to Irvin.

Most students complete a program in about 320 days. Some need longer. And some simply don’t want to leave. Every Job Corps Center tracks an alert list of students nearing their final eligibility days.

Most Centers have two or three students on the alert list. Irvin has about 15.

This Center has a unique challenge. Many students come from a subsistence lifestyle. They feel the pull to help with fishing, hunting, and gathering back home.

The Department of Labor responded by creating subsistence leave. It’s a short break so students can go home and help out.

“We respect that. I have a student leaving this week,” Irvin said.

Food is another challenge. Some students struggle with the foods and spices eaten at the Center. Irvin reaches out to their villages and their communities. He is able to get foods like muktuk sent to the Center.

The federal closure of all Job Corps Centers in the country from February to October last year cut enrollment by about 50% at the Center in Palmer. It’s back up to 152 students now. This is below the typical 215 to 220 students.

The Center invited 41 students to attend graduation this year. Many are unable to attend. They are already in the military, working, or back in their villages. Irvin expects about 25 to show up.

Irvin remembers one young man who left the program with just four days to go. Irvin called him. He encouraged him to come back and finish.

Next thing Irvin knew, the young man was back. He wanted to do his four days and graduate. The young man walked across the stage. He gave Irvin a hug. He told Irvin that he wouldn’t have done it without him.

For Irvin, there are a lot of emotional things that happen. A lot. Sometimes he has to close his door and process it.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

Emily Forstner reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday August 7, 2026.

Image credit: Mat-Su Sentinel

Image Credit: Mat-Su Borough School District

Join host Mike Chmielewski with Peter House from Deep Tree as they discuss current cybersecurity threats and how much AI is a current threat in the cyber world

Hold on! Summer is not quite over. There’s still plenty happening in the Greater Palmer MetroPlex to enjoy before the ice and snow get here.

How about some live music today? Drive up to Hatcher Pass Lodge to catch Barry Sless & Stephen Inglis from 2 to 5 p.m. If you can’t make that, Drew Sablon hits the stage at Everett’s at 6 p.m. Everett’s info is at mat-suresort.com.

Hatcher Pass Lodge features the Seth Freeman Band on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Ayla Ray on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

Is Trivia your groove? The Roadside Inn is the place for Nerdvana Trivia Night. Fast-paced rounds cover everything from movies and music to history, sports, pop culture, and more. The fun runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight. The RoadSide Inn is at 7766 West Phlox Street in Wasilla. See nerdvanatrivia.com for info.

We’re down to the last couple Friday Flings of the Summer. Will Johnson provides live music from noon to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Fling. He performs smooth vocals and features a diverse repertoire of crowd favorites. Stop in and give a listen.

The Palmer Museum of History and Art hosts local artist Jeri Breshears. She self describes as a Wife, Mom, and Gramma. Breshears will be at the museum at 11 a.m tomorrow. Drop in to meet her and enjoy her embroidery and mosaic creations.

The Summer concert season continues at the Musk-Ox Farm tomorrow at 7 p.m. with the Super Saturated Sugar Strings. Their take on modern Americana brims with polished instrumental arrangements and shout-to-the-rafter vocals. Find information at muskoxfarm.org

The 24th annual Running of the Bulls at the Musk Ox Farm is on Saturday morning. Participants do not actually run with the musk oxen. They navigate farm roads around the fields. The oxen observe the runners and walkers from their pastures. Information is at MuskOxFarm.org.

Blackwater Railroad takes the stage to support Kids Kupboard on Saturday at 3 p.m. Your attendance helps fight childhood hunger. Kids Kupboard provides meals to local children. Event information is at kidskupboard.org

The annual Hot Summer Nights Car Show takes over Downtown Palmer on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.

If you’ve never climbed Bodenburg Butte, now’s your chance. This guided outing offers a look at the geology that shaped the Butte and some cultural history. Join Revel Trek and Tours on Sunday for this hike up the Butte. Enjoy the awesome scenery and fresh air. Registration is required. Go to reveltreksandtours.com for information and registration.

Massive amounts of live music, running around the musk oxen, and hiking the Butte. Where else can you do that? We sure do live in a very special corner of the world. This is a sample of the fun to be had this weekend. Get out and enjoy our nifty neck of the woods.

Have a great day and a better tomorrow.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

Keith Peticolas reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday August 6, 2026.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, David Boortz, owner of Lekker Coffee and Baking Company. Listen in as David discusses his past businesses and his development of the Lekker Coffee and Baking Company.

Image/Photo Credit: Lekker Coffee and Baking Co.

From the Farm is a monthly show on Big Cabbage Radio. Staff from the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center give an update on farm activities.

Farm Manager Aimee Young and Mat-Su/Copper River District 4-H Coordinator Samantha Blumenkonig discussed activities at the farm and beyond on this month’s show.

The Alaska State Fair is coming up in a few weeks. Blumenkonig says that the 4-H is very busy during fair season. She described the many ways 4-H members are busy across the fairgrounds.

Young riders from across the state compete in the 4-H State Horse Show during the first weekend of the fair. This year’s focus is dressage.

Fairgoers can stop by the June Tull 4-H Building on the Red Trail to see the creativity and hard work of Alaskan youth. Displays include photography, artwork, baking, gardening, vegetables, flowers, and other projects completed throughout the year. Blumenkonig encourages fairgoers to take their time and appreciate the dedication behind every exhibit.

The Tull building also features interactive educational activities. Visitors can learn about livestock biosecurity and how farmers protect animals from diseases such as avian flu and African swine fever.

And the Worm Petting Zoo returns by popular demand. Visitors can gently handle red wiggler worms while learning about vermicomposting and soil health. The petting zoo may sound unusual, but last year’s event was a success. Even more worms will be on hand this year.

4-H and FFA members take over the livestock barn during the final week of the fair. About 150 youth are expected to auction cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry, ducks, chickens, and quail in the 4-H & FFA Junior Market and Livestock Auction on Saturday, September 5th. Yes, even quail. Quail are a growing project for several local clubs.

Back at the Farm, July proved to be one of the rainiest months in recent memory. Measurable rain fell on 21 days. Young noted that the farm received about 3.35 inches of rain in July. Slightly more total rainfall fell 100 years ago, in July 1926, but over fewer days. These long-term weather comparisons offer insights into Alaska’s changing growing conditions.

Research crops are performing well at the Farm despite the cloudy summer. Lettuce variety trials continue to produce harvests, including a peppery variety called “Hot Shot.” Zucchini, garlic, rhubarb, and honeyberries have also done well.

Sunflowers and corn face challenges because of the lack of sunshine. The community gardens at the farm remain colorful with vegetables and flowers. Alaska gardens continue to thrive in even wet summers.

The Experiment Farm will host a free farm tour at noon on Thursday August 13. The tour will introduce visitors to the farm’s cattle and focus on livestock nutrition research. It will also highlight ongoing research that supports Alaska agriculture.

Whether you’re exploring the 4-H exhibits at the Alaska State Fair, supporting young people at the livestock auction, or visiting the Experiment Farm, August is a wonderful time to celebrate agriculture, research, and the next generation of Alaskan farmers.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

Mike Chmielewski reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday August 5, 2026.

Photo credit: Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guests, Aimee Young, Farm Manager from the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, and Samantha Blumenkonig, 4-H Program Coordinator for the farm. Listen in as they discuss the Mat-Su Experiment Farm’s participation in the 2026 State Fair.

The Matanuska Experiment Farm is a working research farm serving Southcentral Alaska. It has 260 acres of cultivated land and 800 acres of forestland for research or demonstration purposes, including barns, feed storage facilities and pastureland. The experiment farm has a complete complement of farm equipment to produce and harvest grain, forage (hay and silage) and other crops. There are also field and laboratory facilities for research on soils, plants and livestock.

Image Credit: FFA/4H of Alaska