Live coverage: Damon Stuebner, a cameraman for "Gavel to Gavel Alaska," sets up equipment on Jan. 8 in the Senate Finance Committee Room in preparation for filming the 2004 Alaska state legislative session. Juneau's KTOO-FM and TV produces "Gavel to Gavel," a service that provides Internet and video coverage of floor sessions and committee meetings. BRIAN WALLACE/ THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

KTOO-FM and TV operates the service, which allows viewers to watch live floor sessions, committee meetings and special events on cable channel 7 in Juneau and on the Web at www.ktoo.org/gavel.

The television service began in 1994 and is now carried by 35 cable systems statewide. Television coverage runs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, with additional coverage depending on legislative activity.

Audio and video service on the Web site requires a computer with speakers, a sound card and a 28.8k modem or higher. The service recommends a DSL or cable modem connection for best quality.

Internet streaming video requires Windows Media Player software and audio requires RealPlayer, Winamp or Windows Media Player. Most programs can be downloaded from the Internet for free.

In addition to live coverage of meetings, "Gavel to Gavel" also provides archived meetings that can be downloaded off its Web site 24 hours a day.

It can take up to five hours before archived meetings become available on the "Gavel to Gavel" Web site following the end of meetings, according to Executive Producer Randy Burton.

Burton said "Gavel to Gavel" has installed a new broadband wireless system that will allow it to transmit video signals to the KTOO station. It replaces an analog cable system.

"Viewers can come to expect what they've seen in the past," said KTOO General Manager Bill Legere.

Burton said he also has revamped the "Gavel to Gavel" Web site since last session, making it easier to navigate.

Legere said "Gavel to Gavel" also is working to offer 24-hour coverage of the session. The move would require the purchase of a video server. He said the system would cost up to $500,000 and likely would come from government grants with a local match.

Legere said he is unsure how the project will be funded but expects to have the system running by the end of the 2004 session or next year.

"Gavel to Gavel" operates on a $570,000 annual budget, with about $240,000 coming from the city of Juneau, $220,00 from private-sector sponsors and $110,000 from KTOO.

Legere said he also plans to expand "Gavel to Gavel" to year-round coverage of various meetings and press conferences, rather than just focusing on the Legislature and some state Supreme Court hearings.

Where to tune in

A sampling of Gavel-to-Gavel cable channels around the state
Juneau: GCI Cable channel 7 Anchorage: GCI Cable channel 18 Barrow: Barrow Cable TV channel 63 Bethel: GCI Cable channel 27 Craig: Craig Cable TV channel 35 Dutch Harbor: Eyecom Cable channel 36 Fairbanks/N. Pole: GCI Cable channel 5 Haines: Haines Cable TV channel 17 Hydaburg: Hydaburg Cable TV channel 95 Kenai: GCI Cable channel 10	Ketchikan/Saxman: GCI Cable channel 3 Kodiak: GCI Cable channel 8 Kotzebue/Nome: GCI Cable channel 6 Palmer/Wasilla: GCI Cable channel 96 Petersburg: GCI Cable channel 3 Seward: GCI Cable channel 22 Sitka: GCI Cable channel 12 Skagway: Haines Cable TV channel 12 Wrangell: GCI Cable channel 3

• Timothy Inklebarger can be reached at timothyi@juneauempire.com.