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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What defunding public media would mean for the West
Sage Smiley, KYUK's news director, and Morris Alexie visit the proposed site for the climate-driven relocation of Nunapitchuk, a village of about 600 on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Alexie is the community's relocation manager. (Photo by Katie Baldwin Basile) Late last fall, members of Bethel, Alaska's search and rescue team met at the local public radio station, KYUK, for a program called River Watch. Over an hour and a half, they took calls from listeners around the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, comparing notes on the safety of the ice at different points along the Kuskokwim River. 'Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there,' said a caller from the village of Kalskag, his voice muffled over the phone. He said he'd recently flown over the river to the east and observed lots of holes in the ice. He wanted to warn listeners in other towns: 'There is no trail right now. None of the open water is marked. So it's advised not to be traveling back and forth from Aniak.' KYUK is the only daily news source for this region, which is roughly the size of Oregon, and River Watch is a staple of its programming. In dozens of Southwest Alaska villages — including many Yup'ik, Athabaskan and Cup'ik communities — residents who live far from the U.S. highway system rely on boats and snow machines to get around. 'The Kuskokwim River in this region is like our highway,' said KYUK news director Sage Smiley. During freeze-up and breakup each year, knowing the condition of the ice can be a matter of life and death. And in the Y-K Delta, where Internet access is often limited, public radio plays a crucial role. But if the Trump administration gets its way, programs like River Watch could soon disappear. Last month, the president signed an executive order aimed at preventing congressionally approved federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) from going to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). CPB, NPR, PBS and a host of local stations have all filed lawsuits in response. Meanwhile, in its proposed budget, the administration outlined a plan to eliminate funding for CPB entirely — and this week, Trump asked Congress to take back more than a billion dollars that had already been set aside for public broadcasters. Lawmakers have 45 days to make a decision on the request, with a House vote expected as early as next week. Defunding public media would hurt stations across the U.S., but for ones like KYUK, which relies on CPB for nearly 70% of its revenue, it would be 'catastrophic,' Smiley said. The data show that stations serving rural and Indigenous audiences in the West would be the hardest hit. Here's why, by the numbers. CPB is an independent nonprofit created by Congress nearly 60 years ago to distribute federal funds to noncommercial TV and radio stations across the U.S. Today, it funds more than 1,500 stations, many of which buy NPR and PBS content to distribute locally alongside local news, music shows and other programming. Collectively, the stations in the public media network give 99% of the U.S. population access to public broadcasting. Nearly half of CPB grantees are rural, and together they employ close to 6,000 people. As nonprofits, local public media stations rely on a variety of funding sources, including federal funding, state funding, listener donations, grants, and underwriting from local businesses. On average, federal funding accounts for 16% of a local public media station's revenue. But for many stations, that percentage is much higher. Three factors unite the stations most reliant on federal funding: They are located in the West, they are rural, and they are tribal stations. Among stations in the 50 states, those in the Western U.S. are by far the most dependent on federal funding, according to a recent analysis of station financial reports for fiscal year 2023, carried out by former NPR product manager Alex Curley. (Limited data is available for American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but according to Curley, the few stations there rely even more heavily on federal funding.) On average, Curley found, Western stations depend on federal money for just over 20% of their revenue — compared with just under 15% for the next highest region, the Midwest. The states with the highest average dependency, in order, are West Virginia, Alaska, New Mexico and Montana. In Alaska, the most dependent Western state, public media stations rely on federal funding for an average of 36% of their revenue. If all the stations with a dependence of at least 20% were forced to close, Alaska would lose 15 stations — half of its total, Curley said. More than 50 stations around the country belong to the Native Public Media network, and they are also particularly vulnerable to funding cuts. All but one of the Native Public Media stations with available data relied on federal funding for at least 20% of their revenue, and the average reliance was more than 50%. Source: CPB defines rural stations as those whose coverage areas have a population density of 40 or fewer residents per square kilometer. The stations defined as rural on this map come from CPB's FY 2024 list of rural station grantees. The funding percentages come from a list of the most vulnerable public radio stations compiled using CPB data from FY 2023, the most recent available. Tribal stations are defined as stations that are 'tribally owned, managed or staffed by tribal members,' according to this map and station websites. (Map design by Luna Anna Archey/High Country News) According to CPB data shared with , 79 radio stations in the U.S. relied on CPB for 30% or more of their funding in FY 2023. More than half of those stations (42) are located in the West. Of the vulnerable Western stations, all but two are rural — and 20 are also tribal stations. Not only would these stations be drastically impacted by losing federal funding, they would also find that money especially hard to replace. Urban stations have large audiences to turn to for help, but rural stations by definition serve sparsely populated areas and often lower-income communities. According to CPB, 40% of the average non-rural station's revenue comes from listener donations, compared with just 28% of the average rural stations. Meanwhile, the average rural station relies on CPB funding nearly twice as much as a non-rural station does. This past fiscal year, KYUK raised just under $20,000 from a total of 413 members, comprising 2% of the radio station's revenue. 'We live in a subsistence region,' Smiley said. 'The way people survive and thrive here does not necessarily follow the traditional Western economic model.' To her, this is part of the beauty of public media: Stations like KYUK allow people to get thoughtful, nuanced coverage of the place they live, whether or not they can afford to pay for it. In Bethel, that includes public safety alerts and emergency coverage on shows like River Watch — but also, local news accessible to everyone in the region. The oldest Indigenous-owned and operated bilingual radio station in the U.S., KYUK broadcasts local news in both English and Yugtun, the Yup'ik language, three times a day. The station also airs several other Yup'ik public affairs and culture shows throughout the week, sharing traditional knowledge and conversations between elders. Villages in the Y-K Delta — like many rural and Indigenous communities — tend to receive a flattened portrayal in the national media, when they're covered at all. Outside reporters often miss the good news: The Bethel student robotics team bringing Yup'ik dance to an international stage, say, or a Cup'ik artist using traditional carving techniques to tell the evolving story of hunting and fishing in his community. Celebrations of berry picking and high school graduation — the everyday activities and special events that make headlines at a local publication run by the same people who coach youth sports and act in community plays. These are stories at stake in the fight over federal funding, Smiley said: 'This idea that a region that has been historically underserved by the state and by the country could lose a public media organization that is focused on providing what people here need, which is public safety information and a reflection of a life that is multifaceted and beautiful — that really, really tears my heart out.' This article first appeared on High Country News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
CTV News
25-04-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Where and when the heaviest rain will fall this weekend in the Maritimes
A low-pressure system moving out of the U.S. Midwest turns into a weekend soaker for the Maritimes. The highest risk of downpours will be from Saturday night into Sunday morning for the province of Nova Scotia. The possibility of heavier rain is created by the gaining strength of the system as it approaches, as well as a stream of moisture expected to move up into it off the U.S. eastern seaboard. Satrad A developing low-pressure system in the U.S. Midwest will bring rain with a risk of downpours to the Maritimes this weekend. Rain timing There will be patchy fog and increasing cloudiness to start Saturday, except rain starting to develop in New Brunswick. Rain will continue to develop for that province, northwest-to-southeast, Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. The rain will become steady, even heavy at times, with the greatest risk of downpours in the southwest of New Brunswick late Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will have a chance of patchy showers and drizzle Saturday afternoon. The rain will develop for both the provinces Saturday evening and night. Downpours are expected to develop within the rain for Nova Scotia late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. The rain will persist in eastern areas of Nova Scotia into Sunday afternoon. The remainder of the Maritimes can expect further showers on Sunday. Saturday Night There will be rain, drizzle, and fog Saturday evening and night, plus a risk of downpours for southwestern New Brunswick and much of Nova Scotia. Rain amounts This system has the markings of being a soaker. Expect general rain totals of 15-to-40 mm, with some areas receiving a rainfall as highs as 40-to-80 mm. The risk of the higher rain totals will be highest in the southwest of New Brunswick and for Nova Scotia. In Nova Scotia, the Atlantic coastal counties as well as Cape Breton are being indicated as having the highest chance of downpours late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Rainfall totals of 40-to-80 mm within 24 hours brings an increased risk of localized flooding. Rainfall rates in downpours could approach 8-to-15 mm an hour. That makes for a moderate risk of flash flooding and quickly-developing hydroplaning conditions developing on roads. The period of downpours is expected to be limited to a few hours. Depending on the weekend rain, there are parts of the lower Saint John River that are expected to see increased water levels. The latest forecast and status for the river can always be found at New Brunswick River Watch. Rainfall Outlook The highest rain totals, which could exceed 50 mm, are indicated for Nova Scotia. That province has the highest risk of downpours Saturday night into Sunday morning. There is also a risk of downpours in southwestern New Brunswick. Wind A high and gusty southerly wind will develop for the Maritimes Saturday evening and night. Peak gusts will reach 50-to-80 km/h, with the strongest wind gusts expected at higher terrain and exposed areas of the Bay of Fundy coastline of New Brunswick and the Atlantic coastline of Nova Scotia. There is a risk that peak wind gusts could reach 90+ km/h in the area of Inverness County, Cape Breton, from Cap Le Moine to Pleasant Bay late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. The risk of stronger gusts there are due to the topography of the Cape Breton Highlands. The wind on Sunday will be coming from the west and southwest. Wind gusts will diminish into a range of 30 to 50 km/h. Gust Forecast A high and gusty southerly wind accompanies the rain Saturday evening and night.
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Parkhurst community comes together for second clean-up
Under the warm morning sun and the sound of running water in the nearby streams, residents, volunteers, and local business owners gathered for the second Parkhurst neighbourhood clean-up on April 13. Hosted by the Parkhurst Residents and Business Owners Association (PRABOA), the event took place at 5th Avenue Park, bringing together community members for a morning that combined hands-on work with environmental education. Read more: Parkhurst community rallies for a cleaner, greener future The morning was elevated by the presence of Jozi Trails and Being a River, who facilitated a skills and knowledge-sharing session, covering topics such as the identification and removal of invasive vegetation, safety tips, and best practices for clean-ups. Participants also had the opportunity to take part in water quality testing. Led by Jozi Trails director Jaco Louw and environmental co-ordinator Sam Brown, residents learned practical methods for caring for their park. They focused on identifying and replacing alien vegetation with indigenous trees. Support from within the community helped move the day along smoothly. A generous resident arranged for their gardener to mow the grass, improving access to the park for walkers. Another resident sponsored the removal of several bags of rubbish, mostly plastic and other debris collected from the park and stream banks. The clean-up marked the inaugural session of Being a River, a new initiative focused on exploring Johannesburg's water systems through both citizen science and creative expression. Water samples were taken from the Braamfontein Spruit and a tributary stream by the team from Bubele Africa and local volunteers, guided by Dr Teresa Dirsuweit, from the Department of Geography at UNISA. Being a River will continue to test water quality at the same sites through WaterCAN's RiverWatch programme. Results are expected to be shared in the coming days. Vicky O'Brien noted: 'The Bubele Africa team play an important role in reducing the amount of plastic and other debris along this part of the Braamfontein Spruit.' After heavy rain, she explained, storm water often deposits a: 'mantle of plastic and other debris', along the banks. Also read: New Killarney-Riviera Association's festive drive: Making Killarney-Riviera safer, cleaner, and greener After the citizen science activity, participants took part in a reflective group experience facilitated by Sally Clark and Rachel Adatia. The session encouraged individuals to tune in to the natural environment – its sights, sounds, and smells – and to reflect on their emotional responses. 'It's a relief to see the trees and bushes free from the plastic that the storm water draped over them,' said Adatia. Clark added: 'It was good to sit and talk to members of the team, informally, about how these kinds of public places are important for all our well-being.' Pauline Borton echoed the value of the effort: 'With regular testing, we can help to monitor the health of our streams. Working so closely with the water, it is important that Bubele team members are aware of the potential risks of polluted water and how to take necessary safety precautions.' PRABOA plans to host eight clean-ups this year, and invites residents, volunteers, and partners to take part in future efforts to keep Parkhurst clean. Those interested can contact Pauline Borton at support@ Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Wrap up: Cleanup events and cultural celebrations take centre stage At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
7 reasons to visit Edmonton, the gateway to Canada's North
Edmonton's proximity to the vast, untouched wilderness of Northern Canada places it right on urbanism's final frontier. The city is an approximately three-hour drive from the entrance to the expansive Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies; yet, you don't have to leave Alberta's capital to find crowd-free, tree-lined trails and an abundance of wildlife. The North Saskatchewan River Valley is accessible from various points around Edmonton and offers plenty of outdoor activities — from hiking and mountain biking in the summer to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. The city is also home to action-packed festivals, high-energy sporting events and a rich Indigenous history, which can be explored on immersive tours. Here, we share seven ways to discover the best of Edmonton. Rising from the banks of the snaking North Saskatchewan River, groves of aspen and tall poplar trees are segmented by 100 miles of hiking and biking trails. With more designated green space than any other city in North America, Edmonton's urban parkland offers access to the Canadian woodlands within mere minutes of the city's lively downtown. Here, travellers can follow trails that weave past cityscapes and wild ravines, tackle a mountain biking route — with bike rentals available from River Valley Adventure Co — or paddle a canoe down the glacier-fed river. To learn more about the North Saskatchewan River Valley, take an EcoFloat tour with RiverWatch or embark on a guided tour through Edmonton's geological past with Talking Rocks Tours. For thousands of years, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples have lived on and cared for the ancient boreal forests of Northern Canada. Today, the city of Edmonton — known in Cree as Amiskwaciywâskahikan, which translates to 'Beaver Hill House' — has the second largest Indigenous population in Canada, offering visitors hands-on heritage experiences. At Métis Crossing, travellers can tour a historical village to step into pre-colonial Canadian life, as well as hear the shared story of the Métis People and the herding bison on a wildlife excursion. Alternatively, discover the history of Canada's First Nations and Métis People in their own words at the Fort Edmonton Park Indigenous Peoples Experience. The Milky Way illuminates the Albertan nights in dark sky destinations located just outside Edmonton. This includes the town of Bon Accord — which was recognised as Canada's first Dark Sky Community for its efforts to preserve its dark night skies — and the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. The latter encompasses Elk Island National Park, where stargazers gather to map out constellations just 30 miles from Edmonton. It is also possible to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights here in the winter. For the best chance of spotting them, check for updates on the University of Alberta's Aurora Watch website. No matter what time of year you visit Edmonton, there's a good chance your trip will coincide with a festival — the city hosts over 50 each year. Engage with the contemporary Canadian arts scene during the Rainbow Visions Film Festival in May, which showcases queer Canadian cinema; laugh alongside some of the biggest names in comedy at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in July; or enjoy a wide range of outdoor street performances, live music, comedy, theatre shows and more during the 10-day Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival in August. Alternatively, learn about legends passed down for generations at the wintertime Flying Canoë Volant festival or celebrate the city's modern multiculturalism during the Edmonton Heritage Festival in August. What's more Canadian than risking a mild case of whiplash to keep up with the rapid-fire pace of an ice hockey game? Snag a ticket to see the Edmonton Oilers and cheer along with the roaring crowds of fans in Rogers Place, the centrepiece of downtown Edmonton's vibrant ICE District, a hub for sports, entertainment and nightlife. Edmonton's top-notch teams aren't limited to Canada's national sport, either. Watch the city's CFL team, the Edmonton Elks, collide with their rivals on the football field, see the Stingers slam-dunk on the basketball court or cheer on the Riverhawks' home runs on the baseball field. Edmonton's food scene tells the story of the city itself. Here, Indigenous chefs lean on their knowledge of Alberta's native flavours, Chinatown restaurants offer creative twists on traditional treats and the city's eastern European community serve up supple perogies and smoked sausages. Order an array of Indigenous plates to share at the elegant Bernadette's; add Edmonton's unofficial signature dish, green onion cakes, to your dim sum order at Fu's Repair Shop; or check out EPIC market, located in a shipping container development on Whyte Avenue, which is home to five different cuisines, two bars and a chef's table offering custom culinary experiences. Shoppers seeking unique keepsakes should head to the Old Strathcona neighbourhood. Amid its colourful murals, you can join the treasure hunters in Old Strathcona Antique Mall — featuring over 120 vendors selling vintage and antique items — or peruse local boutiques on Whyte Avenue, a street that is also known for its creative murals. 124th Street is another popular spot to wander, with plenty of art galleries, antique shops and boutiques to explore. Alternatively, those looking for a full-on sensory blast can get lost inside North America's largest mall. West Edmonton Mall's 800 shops, 100 eateries, indoor waterpark, twisting roller coasters, ice rink and underground aquarium challenge any visitor to be bored within its 5.3 million sq ft bounds. This paid content article was created for Explore Edmonton. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here.(Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
27-03-2025
- National Geographic
7 reasons to visit Edmonton, the gateway to Canada's North
Edmonton's proximity to the vast, untouched wilderness of Northern Canada places it right on urbanism's final frontier. The city is an approximately three-hour drive from the entrance to the expansive Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies; yet, you don't have to leave Alberta's capital to find crowd-free, tree-lined trails and an abundance of wildlife. The North Saskatchewan River Valley is accessible from various points around Edmonton and offers plenty of outdoor activities — from hiking and mountain biking in the summer to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. The city is also home to action-packed festivals, high-energy sporting events and a rich Indigenous history, which can be explored on immersive tours. Here, we share seven ways to discover the best of Edmonton. 1. Explore wild landscapes in the North Saskatchewan River Valley Rising from the banks of the snaking North Saskatchewan River, groves of aspen and tall poplar trees are segmented by 100 miles of hiking and biking trails. With more designated green space than any other city in North America, Edmonton's urban parkland offers access to the Canadian woodlands within mere minutes of the city's lively downtown. Here, travellers can follow trails that weave past cityscapes and wild ravines, tackle a mountain biking route — with bike rentals available from River Valley Adventure Co — or paddle a canoe down the glacier-fed river. To learn more about the North Saskatchewan River Valley, take an EcoFloat tour with RiverWatch or embark on a guided tour through Edmonton's geological past with Talking Rocks Tours. 2. Uncover Alberta's history with an authentic Indigenous cultural experience For thousands of years, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples have lived on and cared for the ancient boreal forests of Northern Canada. Today, the city of Edmonton — known in Cree as Amiskwaciywâskahikan, which translates to 'Beaver Hill House' — has the second largest Indigenous population in Canada, offering visitors hands-on heritage experiences. At Métis Crossing, travellers can tour a historical village to step into pre-colonial Canadian life, as well as hear the shared story of the Métis People and the herding bison on a wildlife excursion. Alternatively, discover the history of Canada's First Nations and Métis People in their own words at the Fort Edmonton Park Indigenous Peoples Experience. Herds of wild bison graze in Elk Island National Park, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve located less than an hour's drive from Edmonton. Photograph by Explore Edmonton 3. Marvel at the pristine night sky The Milky Way illuminates the Albertan nights in dark sky destinations located just outside Edmonton. This includes the town of Bon Accord — which was recognised as Canada's first Dark Sky Community for its efforts to preserve its dark night skies — and the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. The latter encompasses Elk Island National Park, where stargazers gather to map out constellations just 30 miles from Edmonton. It is also possible to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights here in the winter. For the best chance of spotting them, check for updates on the University of Alberta's Aurora Watch website. 4. Experience local arts and culture in Canada's 'festival city' No matter what time of year you visit Edmonton, there's a good chance your trip will coincide with a festival — the city hosts over 50 each year. Engage with the contemporary Canadian arts scene during the Rainbow Visions Film Festival in May, which showcases queer Canadian cinema; laugh alongside some of the biggest names in comedy at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in July; or enjoy a wide range of outdoor street performances, live music, comedy, theatre shows and more during the 10-day Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival in August. Alternatively, learn about legends passed down for generations at the wintertime Flying Canoë Volant festival or celebrate the city's modern multiculturalism during the Edmonton Heritage Festival in August. The dark skies above Métis Crossing are an ideal place for spotting the Northern Lights. Photograph by Travel Alberta Edmonton hosts North America's third-largest Fringe Theatre Festival each summer. Photograph by Explore Edmonton 5. Get caught up in the city's sporting fervour What's more Canadian than risking a mild case of whiplash to keep up with the rapid-fire pace of an ice hockey game? Snag a ticket to see the Edmonton Oilers and cheer along with the roaring crowds of fans in Rogers Place, the centrepiece of downtown Edmonton's vibrant ICE District, a hub for sports, entertainment and nightlife. Edmonton's top-notch teams aren't limited to Canada's national sport, either. Watch the city's CFL team, the Edmonton Elks, collide with their rivals on the football field, see the Stingers slam-dunk on the basketball court or cheer on the Riverhawks' home runs on the baseball field. 6. Eat your way through Edmonton's world-class cuisine Edmonton's food scene tells the story of the city itself. Here, Indigenous chefs lean on their knowledge of Alberta's native flavours, Chinatown restaurants offer creative twists on traditional treats and the city's eastern European community serve up supple perogies and smoked sausages. Order an array of Indigenous plates to share at the elegant Bernadette's; add Edmonton's unofficial signature dish, green onion cakes, to your dim sum order at Fu's Repair Shop; or check out EPIC market, located in a shipping container development on Whyte Avenue, which is home to five different cuisines, two bars and a chef's table offering custom culinary experiences. West Edmonton Mall is home to the world's largest indoor waterpark, featuring a wave pool and 17 different waterslides. Photograph by Explore Edmonton Catching a high-energy Edmonton Oilers game at the 18,000-seat Rogers Place is a can't-miss activity in Edmonton. Photograph by Explore Edmonton 7. Explore bohemian boutiques or visit a mega-mall Shoppers seeking unique keepsakes should head to the Old Strathcona neighbourhood. Amid its colourful murals, you can join the treasure hunters in Old Strathcona Antique Mall — featuring over 120 vendors selling vintage and antique items — or peruse local boutiques on Whyte Avenue, a street that is also known for its creative murals. 124th Street is another popular spot to wander, with plenty of art galleries, antique shops and boutiques to explore. Alternatively, those looking for a full-on sensory blast can get lost inside North America's largest mall. West Edmonton Mall's 800 shops, 100 eateries, indoor waterpark, twisting roller coasters, ice rink and underground aquarium challenge any visitor to be bored within its 5.3 million sq ft bounds. Plan your trip There are one-stop flights available from the UK to Edmonton via Amsterdam, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Montreal. Once landed, you can pick up an Arc pass to tap on and off Edmonton's extensive network of buses and trains with ease. To explore further afield, consider hiring a car, renting an RV from Canadream or Fraserway, hopping on the Sundog Tours shuttle or riding the Canadian VIA Rail to the town of Jasper, located in Jasper National Park. For more information, visit This paid content article was created for Explore Edmonton. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here.(Available in select countries only).
