Mon April 20

Dr. Jill Valerius and Lee Henrikson continue their discussion on breast cancer screening on Your Health at 7:30 a.m. repeating at 5 p.m. Earlier episodes are in Podcasts on bigcabbageradio.org.

Wed April 22

Alaska Division of Agriculture Director Bryan Scoresby joins host Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters at 7:30 a.m. repeating at 5:30 p.m.

Scott Blair from My Favorite Realty gives an update on the real estate market at 8 a.m.

Fri April 24

Hear a report from the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center at 7:20 a.m. followed by Ed Strabel talking about cross country skiing at 7:30 a.m.

Palmer Fire Chief John Prevost joins Mike Chmielewski on Inside the City at 8 a.m. repeating at 5:30 p.m.

Valley Edition airs at 5 p.m. repeating Sat. at noon.

Sat April 25

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson review federal actions that impact Alaska on Home to Roost at 12:30 p.m. repeating on Monday 5:30 p.m.

Tune in 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Glacier View or online at bigcabbage.radio.org

See the full schedule at bigcabbageradio.org/schedule

Earlier episodes of many shows are in Podcasts on bigcabbageradio.org.

Art by Eric Deeter. We still miss him.

Join host Emily Forstner as she interviews Mat-Su School Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani for Inside the District. Together, they discuss the April 15th. Mat-Su Borough School Board meeting.

Andy Paul from the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center and Ed Strable from the Mat-Su Ski Club join host Mike Chmielewski for this week’s Avalanche and Ski report. The report is current until 7:00 am Saturday, the 18th of April.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, John Diumenti, Superintendent of the Palmer Municipal Airport, as they discuss ongoing and future plans for the airport.

Math and literacy scores drop for many students in sixth grade. The Mat-Su School District plans to fix this.

About half of fifth graders in the Mat-Su scored proficient or higher on the AK STAR test in 2025. Less than 40 percent of sixth graders scored proficient or higher. Superintendent Randy Trani says the pattern reflects a national trend when students move into middle school.

Fifth graders see one or two teachers a day in elementary school. They spend large blocks of time on reading and math. That all changes in sixth grade. Students rotate through multiple teachers. They spend about half as much time on math and literacy.

Trani brought the data and the need for change to the school board in December. He says the transition between elementary and middle school lacks continuity. The fix may not be quick.

Teachers and administrators have been working to prepare students for the transition in the fall. They even show students how to open lockers.

Elementary and middle school teachers are collaborating on assessments

This appears to be making a difference. Data show the gap beginning to close. Trani credits this collaboration.

The district is restructuring sixth grade for the fall. The changes will look different at each school. However, the time in math and literacy will almost double.

Sixth graders will spend the mornings with one teacher focused on both subjects in some schools. Other schools may use longer class periods that combine subjects like math with science or reading with social studies.

The budget crunch isn’t expected to impact the sixth-grade schedule changes. The model shifts students to a smaller team of teachers. It doesn’t require additional staff.

Making sure teachers have the training to connect subjects and stay on track with standards is the bigger challenge.

In other district news, the bus strike enters its eighth week.

Negotiations between Teamsters Local 959 and Durham School Services broke down after three days of talks this week according to the Mat-Su Sentinel. No new talks are scheduled.

A proposal that requires workers to pay for health screenings is at the center of the dispute. These screenings are not required by the state. Union officials say Durham had agreed to ease the policy. The company later changed their mind. It cited budget concerns.

Meanwhile, about 18,000 students don’t have bus service. More than 200 employees are on strike.

District officials say attendance has dropped about two percent since the strike began on March 2.

The district is saving about $100,000 a day without buses running. Officials say that money will be set aside for future transportation costs.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Emily Forstner and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Image: Mat-Su School Board Members listen to public comment during their April 16 meeting at Willow Elementary School.

It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Thursday April 16, 2026.

Heads up, Glenn Highway travelers! The Zipper Merge is coming back! The northbound Peters Creek Bridge in Chugiak will be closed for 45 days starting Saturday. 

All traffic will travel on the southbound bridge. There will be three lanes like last year. The zipper machine will make sure that there are two lanes in the peak traffic direction.

More info is at glennbridges.com.

Now, let’s look at weekend events. Old Man Winter seems to be sticking around. To heck with him, let’s find something fun to do. Here are a few events happening around the Greater Palmer Metroplex and beyond.

Steve Norwood, performing as Solo Steve, brings his blend of folk, rock, bluegrass, and country to the Palmer Alehouse Unplugged tonight. More information is on the Palmer Alehouse Facebook page.

Friday brings a concert with Ken Waldman at Lekker Coffee and Baking Company. He will play music and recite poetry. The performance starts at 6:30. Tickets and info are at palmerarts.org. Lekker is at the corner of South Valley Way and Arctic Avenue in Palmer. 

The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show at the Menard Sports Center runs from tomorrow through Sunday. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the William Jack Hernandez Fish Hatchery partnered with the show for a kid’s trout fishing pond. Free fishing for kids under 15 at the show! Ticketing and info are at matsuoutdoorsmanshow.com.

A workshop on Food Security Through Agriculture is on the State Fairgrounds at the Purple Gate Events building on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Learn how small-scale farming can strengthen Alaska’s food systems. Gain the skills to start growing. Presentations and seminars will be at the Event building and the Rebarchek Farm from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Finish the day with networking and table discussions from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be refreshments and door prizes! 

Check in at the Purple Gate Events building for this free event. Attend as many or few sessions as you wish. Presentations are designed for adults. Children must remain with a supervising adult. More info is in the Facebook event.

Cayenne Sirois will sign copies of her book, Between, at Fireside Books on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. It’s a found-family fantasy romance exploring the afterlife.

Be transported to the roaring ‘20s at the Colony High School’s A Knight of Jazz on Saturday. This fundraiser for the Colony High Music Department transforms the Commons into a Speakeasy. It features live music, a swing dance floor, dinner, and a mocktail bar. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show runs until 9 p.m. Ticketing and information are on the Knights Music Boosters Facebook page.

Join the Mat-Su Orchestra aboard The Concert Caboose for a free all ages show at the Glenn Massay Theater at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Donations for the Bright Lights Book Project are welcome. Bring your friends and your family to enjoy the performance and support the joy of reading.

That’s a glance at the opportunities to have some fun this weekend. Have a great day and a better tomorrow.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org. 

This Page Two article was reported by Keith Peticolas and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday April 16, 2026.