This week, we review Trump’s plan to require grants and scientific research to pass his political litmus tests, we discuss the dismantling of Ocean Station Papa, the most sophisticated deep-sea monitoring system off Alaska’s coast, and we consider the Constitutional basis for federal funding of science.

Join host Emily Forstner as she interviews Mat-Su School Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani for Inside the District. Together, they discuss the June 3rd. Mat-Su Borough School Board meeting.

Mat-Su School Borough Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani

Photo Credit: Mat-Su School Borough

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, John Diumenti, Superintendent of the Palmer Municipal Airport, as they discuss several types of aircraft at the airport and provide updates on the Airport Masterplan.

Image Credit: Mat-Su Sentinel

Today is a Federal Holiday. That means federal and state offices, the U.S. Postal Service, and major financial institutions are closed. Borough and city offices are open.

Palmer Public Works starts work on the East Cedar Avenue Improvement Project this week. The plan began nearly two and a half years ago.

Public Works Director Jude Bilafer summed up the mood at the Department of Public Works. He says, “We are just as excited about this project as the residents who we have heard from.”

The East Cedar Avenue Improvement Project spans 500 feet, running from Alaska Street, crossing the railroad tracks and bike path to connect with South Valley Way.

The improved corridor will provide better access to downtown Palmer for both the Palmer Police Department and the Alaska State Troopers.

HDL Engineering Consultants designed the project. Dirtworks is carrying out the construction work.

The project has a $680,000 budget. It expects to be completed by September 21. A thirty-day review period follows to wrap up any remaining punch list items.

Those who walk, bike, or drive through that corridor can expect upgrades once the dust settles.

A new sidewalk will be constructed along the south edge of the road. It is designed to connect with the existing bike path network.

Bilafer was clear on that point. He said, “There will be no loss of connectivity for bikers or walkers.”

In addition to the sidewalk, a street light will be added to the corridor.

Eight decorative garden planters along the bike path on South Valley Way will be relocated south of East Cedar Avenue and aligned with the other community planters.

The work is not expected to disturb the garden plot north of East Cedar.

The railroad tracks that cross East Cedar will be cut. The grade will be reduced. Bilafer says this work will make the crossing safer for all users and easier to maintain.

The city worked closely with the Alaska Railroad to make this possible.

Bilafer noted that the city collaborated with the railroad last year to improve the rail road crossing on East Fireweed Avenue. The East Evergreen Avenue railroad crossing upgrades started this week.

Sections of track on either side of East Cedar will remain in place for historical purposes as with the East Fireweed and East Evergreen projects.

This project traces its roots back to a citizen request submitted roughly two and a half years ago.

Every submission to the Palmer Department of Public Works undergoes a review. This includes analysis of utility conflicts, right-of-way considerations, and soil suitability. Much of the analysis happens quietly behind the scenes.

The East Evergreen Bike Path next to the airport is another example of a project that began with one resident’s idea becoming a community asset.

In Palmer, it turns out, speaking up works.

Map is from Cedar Avenue Improvements. Addendum 01.

A red flag warning is in effect from 1 p.m. today through 1 p.m. tomorrow due to possible thunderstorms from Palmer north along the Parks Highway to Chultina, along the Denali Highway and western Susitna Valley including Skwenta. See weather.gov/anchorage for the map.

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 and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: 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.

Photo by Emily Forstner for Big Cabbage Radio: Donnie Yancey with Premier Construction Surveys locates lines and elevation for the East Cedar Avenue Improvement Project.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday June 19, 2026.

Last weekend is a hard act to follow. A giant tip of the hat to all those that came out and made Colony Days 2026 one to remember. And we have plenty more summer to enjoy, so let’s move on to this weekend.

The See You Next Door music series at the Bleeding Heart Brewery and the Palmer Alehouse start tonight. It’s a collaborative event with live music at Bleeding Heart in the afternoon and finishing off at the Alehouse in the evening.

The Scooter Brown Band starts the festival tonight at 7 p.m. at the Alehouse. On Friday the Schaefer Mueller Band plays at Bleeding Heart from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Then go “next door” to the Alehouse to hear the Roland Roberts Band play from 7 to 10 p.m. For all the bands and showtimes check events on palmeralehouse.com.

The Palmer Museum of History and Art welcomes this week’s featured artist Palmer artist Jessica Steele. She will be at the museum during Friday Fling to chat with folks about her work. Her work is on display at the museum today through next Wednesday.

On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas the news was delivered that the Civil War had ended. The state’s 250,000 enslaved Black Americans were finally free. June 19 is now a federal holiday called Juneteenth.

Celebrate Juneteenth tomorrow at the Palmer Museum. The event includes a reenactment of the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and other stories from Black history, a car show, food trucks, and live music. It runs from 2 to 7 p.m. Find more information on the Palmer Museum of History and Art Facebook page.

Soul Society of Alaska plays at the Musk Ox Farm on Saturday at 7 p.m. Find ticket and show information at muskoxfarm.org.

The Summer Solstice Boozy Book Fair returns to the Railcar Tasting Room at Moonstone Farm on Saturday. Browse a curated selection of books, meet local authors, imbibe various beverages, and enjoy the views between 2 and 8 p.m.

Braided River provides music from 5 to 7 p.m. Moonstone Farm is at 2141 Church Street off the Parks Highway. Event information is available on the Moonstone Farm Railcar Tasting Room Facebook page. Fireside Books and Moonstone Farm host the event.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice on Saturday. Join TrailMates on a hike of the Butte and catch the sunset from the top. Hikers meet at 10:30 p.m. Hike and registration information available at trailmates.online.

Fathers rejoice for Sunday is your day! Mom had her day, now it’s Dad’s turn. Make Dad extremely happy and treat him to Drag Racing at Alaska Raceway Park.

The Top Eliminator Series take over the drag strip for a day of horsepower and speeds of 200 miles per hour. The races start at 11 a.m. at 5599 South Race Way off the Old Glenn Highway. Information is at raceak.com.

This is a taste of some of the events and celebrations in the GreaterPalmer MetroPlex for this weekend. Get out there and get some fresh air into your lungs. Have a great day and a better tomorrow.

Lastly, Evergreen Avenue is closed beside the Depot, between South Alaska Street and Valley Way for road and sidewalk improvements.

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 and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: 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 June 18, 2026.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, Michelle Church of Moonstone Farm, as they discuss the farm’s history

photo credit: Moonstone Farm

Join host Mike Chmielewski with Peter House from Deep Tree as they discuss current cybersecurity threats and international travel dangers.

Image Credit: DeepTree

There’s a different kind of graduation ceremony happening this weekend. Sure, there will be caps and gowns. There will be handshakes and diplomas. There will be a keynote speaker, just like your public high school graduation. There will be feelings of accomplishment, of pride, of moving on, and of turning the page to a new chapter in life.

The feeling of accomplishment will be just as great, perhaps even greater than at a high school graduation. This is not your neighborhood school graduation where everyone is about the same age. There might be teenagers graduating. However, some of the graduates will be middle aged or older.

Each graduate has a unique story. And each story is about to turn to a new chapter.

Some graduates will have completed or almost completed their GED. GED stands for General Educational Development. It’s equivalent to a high school diploma.

Some will celebrate new certifications in fields like IT, Project Management, administrative assistant, and more.

Nine Star Education & Employment Services is sponsoring the event. Community Outreach Coordinator Jessica Egbert says that the public education system works for most people, but not everyone. Some aren’t ready to graduate on an arbitrary schedule. Nine Star helps people develop their skills when they’re ready.

Their mission statement reads “Through education and employment services help Alaskans Get a Job! Keep a Job! & Advance on the Job!”

Nine Star offers classes that prepare students for the GED exam. They also prepare students for the work-readiness test called WorkKeys. That test is for people who want to enter skilled trades.

Nine Star also offers guidance for mid-career people who are ready for a change. Some seek a less physical job. As we get older, Egbert says, physical labor can become difficult. Nine Star helps clients develop skills for jobs that require less physical labor.

Egbert shared one moving story. A student dropped out of high school under trying circumstances. He was homeless, living out of his car, and couldn’t finish school on time. Later he earned his GED with Nine Star’s help, got a job earning $30/hour, and moved into an apartment.

But not everyone who comes to Nine Star is looking at a job. Egbert has seen retired people come to Nine Star. They had no interest in re-entering the job market. They just wanted to prove they could earn a high school diploma.

The graduation ceremony will be at the Mat-Su Health Foundation on Saturday at 2 p.m. If you want to celebrate with the graduates, please RSVP at debl@ninestar.org.

If you would like to find out more about the services at Nine Star or if you want to volunteer for the nonprofit, you can find them at ninestar.org.

In other news:

The Matanuska Community Farmers Market is today from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Musk Ox Farm Summer Concert Series kicks off tonight with Dirty Cello at 7 p.m. Tickets and info at muskoxfarm.org.

The Links Resource Fair is tomorrow at Iditapark in Wasilla from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Discover exciting activities. Connect with your community and access valuable resources. Find more information at linksprc.org.

Evergreen Avenue near the Depot in Palmer will be closing today for upgrades.

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 and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

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

Photo credit: Mat-Su Sentinel

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guests, Aundra Jackson and Gage Saxton with the Mat-Su MLKjr Foundation, as they discuss the upcoming Juneteenth Celebration in Palmer.

image courtesy of Mat-Su MLKjr Foundation