Dear Friend of KNOM,

Thanks to you, your financial support and your prayers, our mission’s labor continues.  Like many of our friends, we are just barely getting by right now, squeezing pennies.

The need for our work is as great as ever, beaming the Mass and the Rosary into remote villages that rarely, or in most cases, never, see a priest. 

Providing education and encouragement, discussion forums for a wide range of important topics.  Providing encouragement, positive companionship and inspiration.

Your gifts and prayers make all of this possible.  Thank you so very, very much for helping what we believe is the most honored radio station in North America in a place where the many benefits its signal provides are so greatly needed.

Thank you!   Thank you!

NOT “ARF” BAD!  (left)  In fact, KNOM news director Laureli Kinneen’s reporting on the Iditarod Race this year was extraordinary.

Here, she’s reporting by cell phone, live on the air from the middle of 4th Avenue in Anchorage as a team waits to approach the finish line.  As you can see from the dog behind her shoulder, they can’t wait!

This was the 38th Iditarod.  Why would a Catholic radio station cover a sled dog race?  The answer is twofold. 

First, it provides a positive distraction for people who are depressed.  For reasons not known, spring in Alaska, as the hours of light dramatically increase, has long been known as “suicide season.”

Second, our remote listeners request it, and thank us for it. 

All expenses are paid by businesses, for which we broadcast underwriting announcements, like the ones you hear on public radio stations.

(Left) Eventual winner Lance Mackey, driving along a lake about eight miles from the start of the race at Willow, Alaska, north of Anchorage.

 

 

(Left) Mackey at the Nome finish line, 1,000 miles later, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd.

 

 

 

(Left) KNOM news director Laureli Kinneen co-anchors the finish with volunteer news director Leah Radde.

 

 

 

(Left) Iditarod competitor Bruce Linton crosses the gravel highway and descends to the mouth of the Nome River, about 3-1/2 miles from the downtown Nome finish line.  Linton finished 25, about a day and a half behind winner Lance Mackey.

At left in the distance, you can see the KNOM transmitter.  Unlike many Iditarods, the weather is sunny and relatively warm, just above zero.

 

GOOD NEWS!  According to the Department of Health and Social Services, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), long a plague in this region, is down 32%, a significant reduction.  Eliminating FAS has been a goal of our mission for many years.  You can take partial credit for this improvement!