March was a big month for Mt. Edgecumbe sports. The high school’s boys basketball team won their first state championship, ending a 75-year history without a title. Daily Sitka Sentinel reporter Anna Laffrey joined KCAW for the Morning Interview to give an update on recent games for the Braves and Sitka Wolves. Listen to the conversation here:

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska launched a Community Needs Assessment survey to better understand the well-being, priorities, and values of its tribal citizens. Rob Allen, STA interim general manager and Fernanda Zermoglio, STA organizational development manager joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to discuss the assessment, which invites enrolled Sitka tribal citizens to share their perspectives on the social, environmental, cultural, and economic aspects of community life. The survey can be found here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/STAneedsAssessmentSurvey

In response to student’s high interest in pursuing work-study opportunities, Sitka High School’s Career and Technical Education program pairs students with numerous organizations around Sitka to shadow professionals and gain hands-on experience in professions they are curious to learn more about. Sitka High School’s Mike Viera joins KCAW for the Morning Interview alongside three students currently in the program: Tyler Majeski, Vance Balovich, and Ali Chapman. They share their experiences learning about the fields of construction, dentistry, and education; how that has helped determine their future professional paths; and why other community organizations should consider partnering with the program.

This weekend the Young Performer’s Theater will be putting on their production of The Little Mermaid with two different casts. Sitka Fine Arts Camp’s Theater Director Zeke Blackwell joins KCAW for the Morning Interview to discuss the relevance of the story today, the process of putting the show together, and what audience members can expect from each cast.

The Sitka Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser, the Rotary Duck Race, involves 6,000 rubber ducks, with a first place prize of $2,500. Proceeds from race tickets, up to $60,000 if all ducks are sold, is donated to nonprofits and community projects throughout Sitka. This year, the club also has a “Flock a Friend” project where donors can place duck decoys in friends’ yards for $50. Katie Gunnell, public relations chair for the Sitka Rotary Club, joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to talk about the race, which has been moved from July 4 to July 18. Listen to the conversation here:

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, raising awareness to the prevalence of the issue and how communities can best support children and their families. Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Doug Osborne joins KCAW for the Morning Interview to share how its Child Advocacy Center operates, as well as upcoming events STA has planned for community members to observe Child Abuse Awareness Month.

The Sitka Rose Awards, hosted by local organization Sitkans Against Family Violence, celebrates individuals who uplift community values of safety, respect, and community. The awards, which started in 2024, replaced the “Honoring Women” event started in 1998 to be more inclusive, honoring women and queer people across three age groups. This year’s honorees include Cheryl Vastola and nine others. SAFV’s Executive Director, Natalie Wojcik, joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to discuss the upcoming event on April 17, 7-9 p.m. at Sheet’ká Kwáan Naa Kahídi, which will feature performances, a raffle, and free dessert. Tickets are $10, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Listen to the conversation here:

Whether it is learning how to swim like a mermaid, keeping the kids entertained over the summer, or being entertained by a joint community choir and orchestra performance, Sitka Parks and Recreation has got you covered. Kevin Knox, Rachel Fox, and Ellie Campbell join KCAW for the Morning Interview to share more information about upcoming programming.

What do you get when you combine the talents of local artists and musicians with the homely spaces of local businesses? You get the upcoming Spring Art Walk, enabling one to support local artists and performers, as well as community organizations around Sitka. Art Walk coordinator Betty Gray and participating printmaker Charlie Bloede join KCAW for the Morning Interview to discuss more as to what participants can expect from this weekend’s event.

Pink Martini, an internationally renowned band from Portland, Oregon, will perform two benefit concerts in Sitka and Juneau in mid-April. The series of concerts will is being organized by Katlian Collective, the nonprofit that brought Portugal The Man to Southeast last year, with funds going toward rebuilding a Tlingit clan house in Sitka.

KCAW spoke with Pink Martini’s bandleader, Thomas Lauderdale, lead singer Storm Large, and organizer Lduteen Jerrick Hope-Lang about the concert and the project. Listen to the conversation here:

Learn more about the work of Katlian Collective, Inc. here. Tickets to see Pink Martini at the Sitka Performing Arts Center on April 15 are available at www.fineartscamp.org