Big Cabbage Radio

*/ ?>

Latest Episodes:

Ag Matters: Pratt Family Farms Oct 07, 2025

Chanel Pratt from Pratt Family Farms joins host Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters.

Chanel talked about their farm and raising show lambs for FFA and 4-H. The farm also has cows, a mini donkey, and four dogs. Along with farming, Chanel and her husband have full-time jobs. They were also instrumental in establishing a local FFA Alumni Chapter that meets on the first Monday of every month at Palmer High School at 5:30 pm.

Page 2 Oct. 7: MSB Library Board Reviews Book Purchases Oct 07, 2025

As national debates continue over restricting or banning books, a new policy in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough brings the discussion to the local level.

The borough already has the Library Citizens’ Advisory Committee or LCAC.

The LCAC is a seven-member board formed in 2024 in response to public concern about books for children and teens already in a library.

It handles formal book challenges of young adult titles in the libraries. It does not consider books in the adult collection.

The Borough Library Board, created in 2004, has nine members appointed by the mayor. Its focus has been advocacy, planning and long-term strategy for the libraries.

Under the new policy adopted last spring, the Library Board now reviews all planned purchases of books and materials for the Borough libraries.

The board receives lists of hundreds of titles and materials from the libraries each month. The lists are also made available to the public on the borough website.

The Library Board’s process for reviewing materials mirrors the system adopted last year for the LCAC to review library book challenges.

Materials flagged by any board member during a meeting are reviewed by board members and voted on at the next meeting.

Items rejected by the board are then evaluated by Community Development Director Jillian Morrissey for a final decision.

A list of more than 500 items was reviewed for the first time at last month’s Library Board meeting held in Talkeetna. No material reviews were selected for review at that meeting.

Supporters of the policy say the goal is increased public involvement in selection of library materials. Critics say it could delay access to books and increase staff workload.

The next Library Board meeting is Monday, October 14 at the Sutton Library.

This story was reported by Amy Buchatz of The Mat-Su Sentinel and adapted for broadcast by Big Cabbage Radio and Page Two News.

It’s Election Day in the Cities of Houston, Palmer, and Wasilla. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check your voter card or go to myvoterportal.alaska.gov if you’re not sure of your precinct location.

Last year, in Palmer City elections just under 7% of voters voted. In Wasilla, it was 3%, and Houston had 15%. Let’s make this election a personal best in the number of votes cast!

We’re looking for reactions to our Voices of the Mat-Su series that finished this summer. Please complete a short survey on your impressions of Voices of the Mat-Su.

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee mson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Please donate today. We appreciate your support.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Page2 Oct. 6, 2025: Banned Books Week Oct 06, 2025

It’s time for Page Two: news that might not make the front page on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Banned Books Week is October 5-11 this year.

It began more than 40 years ago in response to a surge in attempts to restrict reading materials in schools and libraries.

The American Library Association explains that a ban occurs when materials are taken off the shelf. Challenges are formal requests to remove or restrict materials.

The 2025 theme is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” It’s a nod to George Orwell’s novel 1984, a book often challenged for its political themes.

In September, PEN Americawarned of unprecedented levels of book banning nationwide.

“Never before in the life of any living American,” the report states, “have so many books been systematically removed from school libraries.”

The most banned book in the past year is A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. The 1962 novel raises questions about morality and free will.

Steven King is the author most likely to be censored.

Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Florida are responsible for eighty-percent of books temporarily or permanently removed from library shelves.

The Valley school district is no stranger to book banning. In 2023 the school district pulled 56 books from the school library shelves.

The Northern Justice Project and the ACLU of Alaska filed a lawsuit against the Mat-Su Borough School District over their removal.

The school district formed the Library Citizens Advisory Committee in 2023 to review the 56 books and determine whether they should be banned.

The school board ultimately voted to permanently remove seven of those books from circulation and returned 30 to shelves based on the advisory board’s recommendation.

Four additional titles await consideration. 15 remaining titles had been lost or stolen and were removed from the review list.

In August 2024, the District was ordered by the courts to return all but seven of the books to library shelves before the start of the school year.

The October 2024 settlement of the suit required the District to pay $89,000 to the plaintiffs.

The ACLU of Alaska, the Banned Bookmobile, and Out North Radiowill hold a pop-up eventon Friday, Oct. 10, from 3 p.m.to 7 p.m.outside Black Birch Books.

Visitors can pick up a donated banned book and read an excerpt on air with Out North Radio. The event is free and open to the public.

Donations of banned books are being accepted at Black Birch Books in Wasillaand Fireside Books in Palmer.

It’s the last day for early voting for citizens of Palmer, Wasilla and Houston at your city hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Tomorrow polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

We’re looking for reactions to our Voices of the Mat-Su series that finished this summer. Please complete a short survey on your impressions of Voices of the Mat-Su.

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Please donate today at bigcabbageradio.org. We appreciate your support.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Page 2 Oct. 3 – Weekend Events Oct 03, 2025

Today’s Page 2 features events for tonight and tomorrow.

Start your weekend with Oktoberfest at Schwabenhof in Wasilla tonight. There will be German dinner specials and a KaraokeFest. The fun starts at 6pm.

Or try out Unplugged at 7pm at The Commons in Wasilla. This is a mic-free open mic with no stage, just voices and instruments filling the room.

If laughing is more your style, at 7:30pm at Everett’s you can enjoy nationally touring comedian Keith Terry. Keith says he likes to bring love, peace, and oneness through laughter. If he can make people laugh together, he can help bring people closer together.

Or you show your Valley spirit at the Potato Bowl Football Game between Wasilla High and Palmer High. This long-standing rivalry is not to be missed. Kick off is at 7pm at Wasilla High School.

There’s something for everyone on Saturday – shopping, animals, music, potatoes and more

If you don’t want to sleep in, get over to the Mat-Su Regional Family Health Fair at the hospital at 8am for a health check with free labs including fasting glucose and a lipid profile. Visit vendors for free health screenings and prize drawings. The health fair goes until noon if you want to sleep in.

Saturday is the day for the Mat Su Animal Shelter’s orientation for volunteers from 10am to 12pm. Volunteers must be at least 17 years old.

If you’d like to take a drive, the Port McKenzie Open House is between 10am and 3pm. You can explore the port and the docks.

Squeeze in a visit to the Holiday Market at 10 am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Check out the silent auction, bake sale, and plenty of vendors with unique handmade items. Or stop by the First Friday vendor market in the borough gym between 10am and 5pm. There will be two food trucks outside.

But if you’re not shopping, at 10:30 you can register yourself and your horse for the 4^th annual Creepin It Real at the State Fairgrounds. This day of tricks and treats costs $50 per rider/horse combo. This event is by Lucky 2 Shoes Equestrian.

Be sure to stop by Frost Fest at the Palmer Depot between 11am and 4pm. This free winter resource expo is your go-to place to explore options for getting outside this winter.

Between 11am and 5pm, the Knik Tribal Council is hosting The Family Fall Festival to raise awareness for missing and murdered indigenous persons. There will be live music, craft vendors, a Native Youth Olympics exhibition, a drum group performance, hands-on crafting activities, and more! Admission is free.

At noon – take a break and bring out your favorite crafts! Painting minis, building models, kniting/crocheting, calligraphy, anything comparatively quiet -that means no hammers-at the MJ Cards and Games in Wasilla.

Afterwards dig some fresh Alaskan potatoes at the Rebarchek Harvest Day between 1pm and 3pm and bring home a 10 lb bag of potatoes. The Antique Power Club will be harvesting the grain crop, weather permitting.There will be refreshments and potato soup. Rebarchek Agricultural Park is at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. Please leave your pets at home.

Get ready for some Oktoberfest music and more in the evening.

The fun starts at 4pm when the Alaska Celtic Pipes and Drums presents Rumbledethumps at 4pm at St John Lutheran Church in Palmer.

The annual Musk Ox Farm Oxtoberfest starts at 5:00pm. Admission is $80. Polka music, dinner and one drink include. Bring your own cup or buy a commemorative cup.

The Palmer Ale House celebrates Oktoberfest starting with a stein hoist competition at 6pm. At 7pm the Ken Peltier Band takes the stage for the final concert of the Palmer Ale House Concert Season.

For a little quieter celebration there’s the Fall Tempest concert with the Mat-Su Concert Band at the Glenn Massay Theater. The performance begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students.

We hope you have a great weekend, whatever you decide to do!

The podcast series Voices of the Mat-Su came to a close in August. The two-year series was produced with a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. Now it’s time to reflect on the impact and success of the podcast. And, we need your help. Please complete a short survey on Voices of the Mat-Su. The survey is open until October 15th.

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Big Cabbage Radio. It’s never too late to donate and be part of your community radio station.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday, October 2 2025.

Page 2 Oct. 2: Principal Moore & the Hybrid Academy Oct 02, 2025

Former Snowshoe Elementary School principal Jason Moore first heard about the proposed hybrid learning program at Mat-Su Central School earlier this year. The idea was introduced at the first school board meeting of 2025. It intrigued him.

The plan called for a Hybrid Learning Academy housed at Mat-Su Central School. For the district, it’s an interesting numbers and dollars game. District officials estimated that students switching from correspondence to hybrid could generate an additional $1.5 million in revenue for the district. It wasn’t just a numbers game for Moore though, he was excited about the options the program gave to students. He was interested enough to apply. Today, he is the principal of both Mat-Su Central School and the Hybrid Learning Academy. Nathan Chud continues as assistant principal.

Enrollment in the new Hybrid Academy has exceeded projections. As of last week, 3,016 students were enrolled at Mat-Su Central. Students were enrolled in more than 1,600 hybrid courses – double the early estimate. Students can take up to three Hybrid Learning classes for free each semester.

Moore is Valley-grown. He attended Snowshoe Elementary School and graduated from Wasilla High. He began his career as a science teacher at Wasilla Middle School and served as its assistant principal for 11 years. He later worked as interim principal at Colony High and as principal at Snowshoe Elementary.

He credits his middle school experience with shaping his leadership style. “Nothing prepares you for public education quite like middle school,” Moore said.

At Mat-Su Central, his priority has been addressing gaps that can arise with flexible schedules and customized coursework. One strategy has been building partnerships in the community.

A standout example is the collaboration with Skeetawk Ski Area in Hatcher Pass. In the past, students earned Outdoor Recreation credit simply by logging outdoor hours. In the Skeetawk course, students receive instruction from a certified teacher, reduced-price ski passes, and Thursday bus service to and from Skeetawk. Students can also pursue certifications in avalanche safety, wilderness first aid,and junior ski patrol at Skeetawk in addition to the Outdoor Recreation credit.

The $300 ski passes for students are covered by per-student revenue generated by the Hybrid Academy. Students at traditional schools may also take these classes, but with a different fee structure.

Moore says the goal is to give students more than credits. Hybrid courses—whether Outdoor Recreation or Construction—are about preparing students for the real world and building community.

Page Two will continue to provide coverage on the Mat Su Hybrid Learning Academy and hybrid learning on upcoming Thursdays.

In other news…the road over Hatcher Pass closed yesterday.

Here are some events you may want to start your weekend with:

Friday at 7:30pm Everett’s you can enjoy national touring comedian Keith Terry
Friday at 7pm: Open Mic Nic at the Commons in Wasilla. This is a mic-free open mic – no stage, no barriers, just voices and instruments filling the room
Friday at 7pm: Kickoff for the Potato Bowl Football Game between Wasilla High and Palmer High at Wasilla High.

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Big Cabbage Radio. It’s never too late to donate and be part of your community radio station.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday, October 2 2025.

Page 2 Wed. Oct. 1: Palmer Parking Oct 01, 2025

The City of Palmer is asking residents, business owners, and visitors to help shape the future of downtown Palmer. An online survey is now open as part of the City’s Parking and Pedestrian Access Strategic Plan for downtown. The goal of the plan is to improve mobility, safety, and accessibility in the Central Business District. The plan will guide decisions on infrastructure, policies, and programs that could reshape how people move through downtown Palmer.

The City’s Planning and Zoning Commission asked for an independent study of parking and walkability in Palmer’s downtown in late 2024. The City Council approved $50,000 in funding earlier this year. RESPEC was selected and began work in July.

In addition to the survey, RESEC is gathering feedback via stakeholder interviews, public meetings, and presentations to local boards and commissions.

In September, ordinance 25-004 came before the council. It would have eliminated off-street parking requirements for restaurants, bars, and retail businesses in the Central Business District. After considerable pushback from downtown business owners, the council decided to postpone action on the ordinance until after the Parking and Pedestrian Access Strategic Plan was presented.

The plan’s goals include assessing current regulations, enhancing pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, strengthening ADA accessibility, supporting economic development, and ensuring community input is reflected in the recommendations.

Palmer Director of Community Development Nathaniel Ouzts said the project is more than a parking study. “By improving walkability, wayfinding,and accessibility in our Central Business District, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth that respects Palmer’s unique charm and history,” he said.

The study is scheduled to conclude in early 2026. Until then, officials say the survey is a key opportunity for the public to weigh in. It is available now on the city website and Facebook page. Public meeting dates and project updates will be posted on the City of Palmer website.

It’s election season!

Early voting in Palmer, Wasilla, and Houston continues weekdays through Monday, October 6th at each City Hall from 8am to 5pm. Wasilla also has Saturday hours from 10am to 3pm. Election day for all cities is on October 7th. Not sure where to vote on election day? Check out the Division of Elections My Voter Portal.

Borough elections are on Tuesday, November 4th.The deadline to register to vote is Sunday, October 5, 2025. Uppdate or register to vote online on the Division of Elections website. You can also register to vote at the Alaska State Division of Elections office in Wasilla or at the Borough Clerk’s office.

This Saturday is an action-packed day. Some events are: the Health Fair at Mat-Su Regional with free fasting labs, Frost Fest at the Palmer Depot, Volunteer Orientation at the Animal Shelter, and a bagpipes concert at St John’s Church in Palmer. We’ll have more on the possibilities on Friday.

The podcast series Voices of the Mat-Su came to a close in August. The two-year series was produced with a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. Now it’s time to reflect on the impact and success of the podcast. And, we need your help. Please complete a short survey on your impressions of Voices of the Mat-Su. It’s on our website at bigcabbageradio.org until October 15th.

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Big Cabbage Radio. It’s never too late to donate and be part of your community radio station. Please, donate today.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday, October 1 2025.

Author Interview: The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan bySydney Nitzkorski MS RD. And Jocelyn Wittstein, MD Sep 30, 2025

This comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide is the first resource to consider bone and joint health together. Learn which nutrients the body needs in what amounts, which anti-inflammatory ingredients to keep in your kitchen, and what exercises can help improve bone health. The great-tasting recipes are for everyone, from omnivores to vegans.

Page 2 Sept. 30: Orange Shirt Day Sep 30, 2025

It’s time for Page Two: news that might not make the front page on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Today is Orange Shirt Day, reminding us that Every Child Matters.

Orange Shirt Day was first observed in Canada in 2013. It is now recognized in many places in the U.S as well. Orange Shirt Day honors Indigenous children who were forced into residential and boarding schools. Many never returned home.

Orange Shirt Day began with the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken away from her on her first day at a residential school. Canada officially recognized September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021. According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, at least 2,800 named children, and another 1,600 unnamed children, died in the boarding schools from the late 1800s through the 1990s in Canada.

Alaska shares this dark history. A 2005 University of Alaska Anchorage study found that more than 2,000 Alaska Native students were enrolled in Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools during the 1960s. The Department of the Interior lists 21 federal boarding schools in Alaska. Adding in the private religious boarding schools brings the total number of boarding schools in Alaska to over 100.

The Eklutna Vocational School near Palmer was one such school. The Eklutna school was built in 1924 to house Indigenous children orphaned by the 1918 flu epidemic. By 1930, about 110 children lived there. A 1941 school newspaper described a fish camp where students trained in subsistence fishing and helped provide food. The dorms were built from salvaged Army materials and soon deteriorated. Funding ran short during World War II and by 1945 Congress ordered the school closed. Students were moved to army barracks in Seward and later to Mt. Edgecumbe. Historic photos of Eklutna Vocational School are available on the Chickaloon Village website.

The Chickaloon Tribe says many citizens of the Chickaloon Native Village grew up unable to speak Ahtna or practice traditions because of boarding schools. To heal, Katie Wade and Patricia Wade led the Tribe in founding the Ya Ne Dah Ah School in 1992. It reconnects tribal citizens with language and lifeways and strengthens cultural identity.

Listeners might enjoy Voices of the Mat-Su podcast Episode 23 “The Storytellers.” In it, cartoon artists Dimi Macheras of the Chickaloon Tribe and Casey Silver talk about their comic book series The Chickaloonies which draws from ancient tribal teachings. It’s available on the Voices of the Mat-Su website and on most podcast platforms.

The podcast series Voices of the Mat-Su came to a close in August. The two-year series was produced with a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. Now it’s time to reflect on the impact and success of the podcast. And, we need your help. Please complete the short survey on your impressions of Voices of the Mat-Su by October 15th.

Congratulations to Colony High Principal Kristy Johnston named the Region 7 Principal of the Year, and Colony High Assistant Principal Peter Olson named the Region 7 Assistant Principal of the Year.

The School Board meets tomorrow at 6pm.

Page 2 is written by Emily Forstner and edited and read by Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Big Cabbage Radio. It’s never too late to donate and be part of your community radio station. Donate today!

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Radio Book Club: Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht Sep 29, 2025

David Cheezem shares his thoughts on Bertolt Brecht’s 1939 play Mother Courage and Her Children.

The play explores the corrosive nature of war, the cyclical futility of conflict, the tension between wartime and peacetime morality, and how individuals become complicit in violence and exploitation for economic gain.

Meggie Aube from The Palmer Arts Council Sep 29, 2025

Palmer Arts Council Managing Director Meggie Aube speaks with Mike Chmielewski about the council. It has been in operation for 25 years, offering a range of activities including musicals, plays, summer camps, art classes, and more.

The Palmer Arts Council offers free arts classes on Mondays for students aged 12-18. All supplies and materials are included. Classes are held from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the United Protestant Presbyterian Church (Log Church) in Palmer.

The Palmer Arts Council first annual Fall Studio Tour is on Saturday, October 25th, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This event enables the community to visit the studios of local artists, view their work, and gain insight into their artistic processes. Visit the Palmer Arts Council’s Facebook page or their website, palmerarts.org, to learn more about these and other events.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected