June Leffler says goodbye to KSTK and Wrangell

June Leffler has been a common sight at many meetings and events around Wrangell for almost three years. As a reporter for radio station KSTK, she played a role in keeping the public informed of everything going on around town. Her time in Wrangell has come to an end, however, as she left for the Lower 48 last Monday.

"I just kind of gave myself until this summer, regardless of any jobs that came up, so I'm going," Leffler said.

Leffler came to Wrangell to continue pursuing her career in public radio, she said. She had some minor roles with a classical station in Chicago, and her hometown NPR station in Kentucky. She really wanted to work in audio, she said, and when she saw a job opportunity with KSTK she took it.

"My stepdad was watching a lot of reality TV around Alaska, so I thought 'Oh, okay, well I could go there," she said. "It wouldn't have come to my mind otherwise."

There are several stories that Leffler says she is proud to have covered. Some include coverage of Wrangell's king salmon derby going away, reporting on high schooler Hank Voltz finally getting out on the basketball court with his team during his senior year and Wrangell resident Jamie Roberts on the topic of homeschooling. Leffler also said she was especially proud of her "Talk on the Rock" show, where Wrangell residents could get on the radio to discuss whatever topics they felt were important. It ran for over 100 episodes, she said.

"I would say any story where I got thrown in that personal element, and actually talk to people that were like 'Oh, I want to talk to you,'" she said.

Leffler said that KSTK has already found her replacement: Sage Smiley, of KDLG in Dillingham. She will be coming to Wrangell sometime in August, she said.

Leffler said that she will miss Wrangell, especially everyone who made her job as reporter a little easier with their honesty.

"I'm really thankful to everybody that was open and honest with me while I was reporting," she said. "Every time I stood outside of the post office and just asked people their opinions on anything, you know like the governor coming to town, or anything like that."