We're KNOM. Yours for Western Alaska.
Broadcasting from Nome, Alaska, KNOM Radio is the oldest Catholic radio station in the United States: sharing faith, inspiration, news, and engaging community-oriented programming with listeners in Western Alaska.
KNOM country extends from the Yukon Delta to the Bering Strait, and covers numerous remote villages in Bush Alaska. The station serves as a vital communications service, a place for community engagement and conversation, and always: a faithful friend and companion.
Our Values
Friend & Companion
We're here: Ready to visit about current events over breakfast, jam out to your favorite tunes, and be with you for Mass on Sunday.
Respectful Service
We aim to inform, engage, and inspire. We hope you enjoy our diverse programming of news, hotlines, music, Alaska Native stories and voices, and more.
Catholic Ideals
A faithful radio friend. In a region with few priests, KNOM broadcasts Sunday Mass, prayer and messages of faith and inspiration throughout the day.
Our Mission Statement
The insignia of the Little Sisters adorns the altar of Nome’s St. Joseph Catholic Church. They gave much to rural Alaska.
Encountering Christ
KNOM lives in a region where attending Sunday Mass is rare. As the oldest Catholic station in the United States, the weekly radio Mass, nightly Rosary and Divine Mercy prayers, and inspirational spots have been programming cornerstones for a long time.
KNOM aims to be a friendly, helpful voice in listeners' everyday lives. The underlying message says, “You are loved by God.” “You matter.” “You can accomplish the goals you set for good - and God is with you."
The Anchorage Kingikmiut Dancers and Singers perform at the 2019 Kingikmiut Dance Festival in Wales.
Embracing Culture
KNOM serves by creating programming that highlights the strength, depth, beauty, and history that lives in the traditions of Western Alaska.
Programs like “Elder Voices,” Native music, storytelling, and Native language and tradition spots are integral parts of the broadcast day — and a reflection of our community.
Leaders cut the ribbon for newly paved streets in the community of Elim. Photo: Davis Hovey, KNOM.
Empowering Growth
Transformation happens with an invested long-term presence that can empower growth: individually, in community, regionally, and statewide.
The station is an important link for a highly isolated part of the United States. Through radio, listeners share in what’s happening in their home village, their region, their state, and their country. KNOM’s ministry often takes the form of news reporting, weather forecasts, and community announcements.
KNOM's programming amplifies growth by sharing important community messages and stories of hope, courage, and resiliency in Western Alaska. And as a teaching institution, many of our volunteer reporters have gone on to be leaders in their fields.
Community volunteer Ethan Ahkvaluk is on the air in Studio A. Photo: Margaret Demaioribus, KNOM, 2019.
Engaging the Listener
On the air, announcers are trained to talk with, not to, the listener. Listeners can tune in for live events, submit hotline messages to friends and family, or call in with special song requests.
Current events, relevant programs and interviews, inspiring messages, weather and ocean updates, and upbeat tunes keep people tuning in.