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Ep321: Living in Alaska · Kidcast Daily

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  Spin the wheel, let's take a ride.
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  Sports and science bursting from inside a world of wonder open
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  wide. Come on kids, let's amplify kid
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  cats. Daily starts your day.
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  Fun and laughter come your way. Sports and trivia games galore.
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  Hey kids, Kick Ass Daily is here with another packed episode.
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  Get ready for science, sports, cool history, and facts so
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  surprising you won't believe they're real.
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  Today we are exploring what it is like to live in Alaska, the
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  biggest state in the United States.
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  Alaska covers about 663,000 square miles, which means long
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  distances between towns and many different landscapes.
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  People live in cities, small towns, and remote villages.
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  The largest city is Anchorage, with hundreds of thousands of
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  residents. The capital is Juneau in the
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  southeast, along a long stretch of coast filled with islands and
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  forests. Life changes a lot from place to
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  place, so let's break down the basics.
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  First up is weather and daylight.
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  Alaska spreads far north, so seasons feel very different from
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  many other places. In summer, northern places such
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  as Utqiagvik have sun for almost the entire day for weeks.
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  In winter, days become very short, and in the far north, the
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  sun does not rise for a stretch. In South, Central and southeast
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  Alaska, daylight also changes a lot, but there are still
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  sunrises and sunsets each day. Temperatures vary, too.
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  Interior areas such as Fairbanks can be warm in summer and very
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  cold in winter. Coastal areas usually feel
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  milder because the ocean helps balance temperatures.
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  Alaskans prepare by wearing layers, using warm boots, hats
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  and gloves and keeping ice cleats handy for walking on
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  slippery sidewalks. Driving in winter takes
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  planning. Many cars use studded or winter
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  tires. Some plug in engine block
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  heaters so the car starts more easily when it is cold.
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  Roads are sanded or treated, and drivers keep emergency kits with
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  blankets, snacks and a flashlight.
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  In some neighborhoods, people use snow blowers or shovels to
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  clear paths. St. plows work long hours after
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  snow falls, kids still get outside to sled on real hills,
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  skate on outdoor rinks, and ski on groom trails when it is safe
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  and conditions are right. What do people do for
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  transportation across such a huge state?
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  Alaska has highways around major cities and between some towns,
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  but many villages are not connected by Rd.
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  In those places, small planes called Bush planes carry mail,
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  supplies and passengers In winter, snow machines travel on
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  frozen rivers and trails. In summer, boats are important
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  on rivers and along the coast. There is also the Alaska Marine
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  Highway ferry system that carries people and vehicles
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  between coastal communities. Flying is a regular part of life
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  for many Alaskans, and airports big and small feel as familiar
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  as bus stations in other states. Food shopping and supplies can
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  be different, too. In remote places, grocery stores
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  carry a mix of shelf stable items and fresh food that
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  arrives by plane or barge. Families often buy in bulk to
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  save money and to make sure they have what they need.
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  Large freezers hold meat and fish.
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  Many Alaskans fish for salmon during runs, pick blueberries
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  and salmon berries in late summer and harvest local foods
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  when in season. In cities, there are
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  supermarkets, farmers markets in summer and restaurants that
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  serve dishes with local seafood such as halibut and cod.
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  School days in Alaska look familiar with math, reading,
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  science and lunch with friends, but there are extras that fit
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  the place. Some schools teach lessons about
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  local ecosystems, cold weather, safety and outdoor skills.
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  Students might take field trips to tide pools, science centers
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  or historical parks. School sports include
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  basketball, cross country, running, skiing and wrestling.
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  In many communities, families plan around daylight, weather
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  and local events such as fishing seasons or community gatherings.
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  Wildlife is part of everyday awareness.
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  People learn how to store trash in secure containers and keep
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  pet food indoors so animals are not attracted On hikes.
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  Groups make sound and stay alert.
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  In some areas, drivers slow down for moose crossings.
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  Bird watchers enjoy eagles and seabirds along the coast, and
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  people living near salmon streams may see fish jumping
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  during summer runs. Zoos and wildlife centers help
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  teach about animals up close in safe settings.
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  Alaskan homes are designed for the climate.
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  Good insulation keeps heat inside.
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  Double or triple pane windows help block cold air.
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  Many houses use fuel oil, natural gas or wood for heat.
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  Entryways often have boot trays for snowy gear.
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  Light blocking curtains help with long summer daylight so
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  bedtime feels normal in winter. Bright indoor lights and fun
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  activities keep spirits up when the sunsets early.
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  Now for a quick burst of new facts with some questions.
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  Which mountain is the tallest in North America and stands in
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  Interior Alaska? It is Denali at 20,310 feet tall
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  and it is part of the Alaska Range.
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  Is Alaska's capital city connected to the rest of North
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  America by Rd. No, Juneau does not have a road
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  to other states or provinces. People travel there by plane or
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  by ferry. What is the state sport of
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  Alaska? It is dog mushing.
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  Dog sled teams race and travel on snow trails during winter
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  events, and mushers train and care for their dogs year round.
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  Can people on Little Diomede Island in Alaska see a Russian
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  island across the water on a clear day?
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  Yes. From Little Diomede you can see
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  Big Diomede in Russia across the Bering Strait.
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  What is the largest National Forest in the United States?
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  Located in Southeast Alaska, it is the Tongass National Forest,
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  a temperate rainforest with tall trees, salmon streams, and many
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  islands back to daily life. The Northern Lights, also called
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  the Aurora borealis, appear on dark, clear nights, especially
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  in interior and northern regions.
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  People check forecasts that predict activity based on solar
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  energy. When the sky is active, families
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  may bundle up and watch green and sometimes red lights move
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  across the sky. It is a natural light show
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  caused by particles from the sun interacting with Earth's
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  atmosphere. Summer brings outdoor fun.
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  Kids ride bikes on long trails, families camp at lakes and many
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  people fish from riverbanks or boats.
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  There are festivals that celebrate salmon, blueberries,
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  and local art. Day camps teach canoeing, safety
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  by the water and map reading. Mosquitoes can be plentiful in
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  some areas, so bug Nets and repellent are helpful tools.
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  Sunscreen is important too, because even cool days can have
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  strong sunlight. Work in Alaska includes many
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  jobs. People work in healthcare,
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  education, construction, shipping, tourism, research, and
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  aviation. Scientists study glaciers,
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  wildlife populations, earthquakes and volcanoes.
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  Park Rangers care for trails and share information with visitors.
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  Fishery workers monitor salmon numbers so harvest stay healthy
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  for the future. Pilots fly supplies to remote
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  clinics and schools. Artists carve, bead, and weave,
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  often sharing designs that reflect local stories and
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  nature. Alaska has many Alaska Native
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  cultures with long histories, languages, and traditions.
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  Communities share knowledge about fishing, carving,
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  drumming, dance, and building with local materials.
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  Museums and cultural centers teach visitors about tools,
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  clothing, and techniques developed for northern living.
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  Fairs and gatherings celebrate craftsmanship and music.
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  Learning local place names helps people understand the land and
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  its history. Earth science is part of life
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  here. Glaciers shape valleys and carry
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  rocks as they move. Some regions have permafrost,
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  which is ground that stays frozen for many years.
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  Builders use special methods to keep buildings stable on frozen
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  soil, such as raising structures on pilings.
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  Alaska also has active volcanoes and occasional earthquakes, so
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  people practice safety drills and keep emergency supplies at
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  home just in case. Sports and recreation stay
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  lively in all seasons. In winter, cross country ski
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  trails wind through parks and indoor rinks host hockey and
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  figure skating lessons. In spring and fall, families
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  hike, collect colorful leaves and spot migrating birds.
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  In coastal towns, kids join rowing or small boat programs
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  with life jackets and safety training.
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  Community centers hold basketball leagues and open gym
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  nights when weather turns stormy.
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  Staying connected across distance takes planning.
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  Internet and phone service reached many areas.
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  Those speeds can be slower in remote places.
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  Mail can arrive by plane, and packages may take extra days.
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  People use video calls to see grandparents in another town,
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  and school teams sometimes travel by plane to compete.
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  Libraries loan books and digital downloads, and mobile book buses
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  visit neighborhoods. Did you know that summer gardens
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  can grow fast during long daylight?
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  Cool weather plants such as kale and lettuce do well, and some
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  Alaskans grow giant vegetables at fairs.
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  Another fun fact is that many towns host community cleanups
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  each spring to gather litter after the snow melts.
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  Bright vests, gloves and trash bags help volunteers keep
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  neighborhoods tight. Here is a quick recap of what we
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  learned. Living in Alaska means adapting
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  to big changes in daylight and temperature, wearing the right
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  gear, and planning for safe travel on roads, trails and
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  water. Many places rely on small planes
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  and ferries, and food often arrives by air or barge, while
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  local fishing and Berry picking add fresh options.
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  Schools include outdoor learning and community traditions.
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  Homes are built to stay warm and bright, wildlife awareness is
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  part of daily habits, and the Aurora glaciers and forests
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  create amazing science lessons right outside the door.
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  Work spans healthcare, aviation, research, and the arts, and
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  communities. Celebrate Alaska Native
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  languages, skills and stories with preparation, curiosity, and
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  respect for nature. Families thrive across the
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  mountains, coasts, forests and tundra of the 49th state Grab.
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  Your breakfast feeling fine, adventures waiting.
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  Don't be late, Today's the day we celebrate.
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  Kick Ass Daily starts your day.