The rezone would mark a major step forward for the so-called Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Project, which imagines a walkable commercial district between the river and the Sterling Highway.

On today’s episode of the Kenai Conversation, we’re joined by Seward City Manager Kat Sorensen to talk about what’s going on the eastern Kenai Peninsula.

The Soldotna City Council prepares to vote on a pair of zoning ordinances that target its riverfront redevelopment project. Alaska lawmakers revive a bill that would boost revenue the state gets from corporate income taxes. Plus, a bill barring law enforcement from wearing face masks on duty gets a chilly reception in committee.

A draft budget approved by the Alaska House Finance Committee doesn't include a PFD — but lawmakers say that will change. Plus, residents of the Western Alaska village of Kwigillingok look to rebuild after being hit by the remnants of Typhoon Halong.

People still have three minutes to talk about non-agenda items at the beginning of the meeting, three minutes to talk about anything at the end of the meeting and three minutes to testify about specific items up for a public hearing.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly puts new limits on designated time for public presentations during meetings. A bill passed by the U.S. House would require voters to show proof of citizenship. Plus, an Alaska-based journalist reports from the Olympic Games in Milan, Italy.

In December, a Kenai superior court judge sentenced 37-year-old Nathaniel Erfurth to 77 years and one month in prison, with most of that suspended.

A former Soldotna High School teacher is appealing his criminal conviction after being found guilty of sexually abusing a former student while she was a minor. State lawmakers consider sending inmates out of state to save money. Plus, a Fairbanks student accused of eating a classmate's AI artwork makes his first court appearance.

Soldotna has a new policy for naming facility parks and buildings. A new state study reports one in four Alaska workers lives out of state. Plus, tribal leaders speak out against proposed changes to a federal program that supports Native entities.

Anyone can propose a new name for an eligible city asset. Preference is given to names that reflect local geography, indigenous heritage or community history and that consider the facility’s location and function.