Author: Nicole Thompson

President Donald Trump signed an executive order addressing federal elections, raising concerns in Alaska over its legal implications. While the US Constitution grants states significant control over elections, experts and lawmakers question the order’s enforceability. Carol Beecher, the director of the Division of Elections, announced that her office is reviewing the order and consulting the Department of Law. The directive includes provisions requiring absentee ballots to reach election officials by Election Day, conflicting with Alaska’s current practice of accepting ballots postmarked on or before Election Day. Legal experts remain cautious, declining to comment until the orders’ implications become more apparent.…

A US airman in Anchorage has been charged with exploiting a 9-year-old girl after posing as a teenager online. David Ibarra, 31, was arraigned in New York federal court on Wednesday following his February arrest in Anchorage. Prosecutors accused the active duty airman of coercing the girl to create explicit videos and images through deceitful tactics. Authorities stated that Ibarra met the Long Island girl on TikTok last August, claiming to be a 13-year-old boy from Texas. He allegedly convinced her to communicate further on Roblox, eventually persuading her to send explicit content. Investigators revealed that Ibarra sent the victim…

Twelve talented Alaska soccer players have signed to play at the collegiate level. These young athletes spent years honing their skills at The Dome in Anchorage. The group, nicknamed the Dynamic Dozen, achieved impressive success together. They won the National League Pro Wildcard Division and two USYS Northwest conference championships. Their accomplishments are a result of their dedication and hard work. Each player has spent countless hours practicing and perfecting their skills. Leiloa Fesolai, Meadow Lewis, Lexi Luff, and Kate Seibert will remain teammates at Western Oregon University. They chose Western Oregon for its team atmosphere, small community, and soccer…

Federal investigators are examining an accident involving a student pilot, John Morr, Jr., who violated regulations by flying with passengers. Rescuers found Morris and two young family members on the wing of a sinking plane at Tustumena Lake, Alaska. The crash occurred Sunday southwest of Anchorage near a glacier on the Kenai Peninsula. Officials reported that the plane broke through ice upon landing, and its fabric-covered wings prevented it from fully sinking. A helicopter rescue team transported the survivors, including Morris and his daughters, to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. National Transportation Safety Board investigator Mark Ward confirmed the Federal…

Alaska lawmakers plan to tap the state’s $2.8 billion Constitutional Budget Reserve to address a $173 million deficit. With the fiscal year ending June 30, legislators must balance the budget despite earlier opposition to using savings. Senate President Gary Stevens-R-Kodiak acknowledged the shift, explaining that times and things change. The constitutional Budget Reserve’s use requires approval from three-quarters of the Senate and House, making bipartisan support essential. The Senate’s bipartisan majority, which previously opposed the move, now recognizes it as the only viable solution. Securing Republican minority backing in both chambers may involve significant negotiations, but lawmakers face a looming…

The Supreme Court of Alaska has imposed stringent restrictions on trial delays to shorten the waiting period for criminal defendants. Beginning on May 12, state judges must grant criminal cases filed before 2023 a maximum of 270 more days of delay. This decision impacts about 800 active cases, many of which are more than 800 days old. ProPublica’s investigation highlighted decades-long delays in some cases, prompting the court to take action. Alaska’s most serious felony cases, including murder and sexual assault, now take nearly three times longer to resolve than ten years ago. Advocates have criticized the excessive delays, noting…

On Tuesday, a federal judge in Anchorage ruled that the US Department of the Interior acted illegally by cancelling Alaska’s oil leases. Judge Sharon Gleason’s decision favouring the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) cleared the way for oil drilling. The court found that the Interior Department failed to secure a court order before cancelling AIDEA’s leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Due to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Judge Gleason stated that ANWR leases require court approval before cancellation. The Biden administration had previously suspended and cancelled the leases due to flaws in Trump’s…

Alaska State Troopers confirmed the passengers were elementary and middle school-aged children. The Alaska Army National Guard carried out the rescue at 10:30 am, airlifting all three survivors from the scene. Authorities took them to a hospital on the Kenai Peninsula, where they are receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. A good samaritan found the wreckage near Tustumena Lake’s eastern side early Monday, approximately 12 hours after the plane went missing. Alaska State Troopers confirmed the passengers were elementary and middle school-aged children. The incident began when the plane on a sightseeing flight from Soldotna Airport was reported overdue Sunday at…

The Alaska House of Representatives has encouraged the Trump and Canadian governments to refrain from intensifying their trade dispute. On Monday, the House passed a resolution condemning restrictive measures or tolls that undermine Alaska-Canada ties by a vote of 33-4. The resolution highlights the significance of their long-standing relationship and aims to protect Alaska’s and Canada’s interconnected economies. If the Senate approves it, it will be forwarded to officials in both countries. The call coincides with continued threats of US tariffs against Canada and Canadian authority’s retaliatory measures. British Columbia recently introduced legislation that could impose tolls on traffic between…

Alaska Air Group may be added to Japan Airline’sAirline’s (JAL) trans-Pacific joint venture with American Airlines. Ross Leggett, Senior Vice President, said talks are continuing and that he was hopeful about making a formal announcement. The current joint venture, formed in 2011, operates 16 flights between Japan and the US. American Airlines oversees six of these routes, while Japan Airlines operates 10. Additionally, the agreement includes intra-Asian, domestic US, Canadian, and Mexican routes that connect with these trans-Pacific services. Both carriers are members of the Oneworld alliance. Alaska Air Group, the holding company for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, has…

As seismic activity near Mount Spurr rises, anchorage officials have raised warning levels due to the danger of an eruption. A recent aircraft showed sustained steaming and gas emissions at the volcano’s top, and the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has recorded several tiny shallow earthquakes beneath the volcano. The AVO confirmed in a statement posted on its website that Mount Spurr is being continuously monitored for indications of an imminent eruption. Anchorage’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) raised its activation level to level 2 Incident Monitoring on Thursday, reflecting the growing concern. Officials stated that the situation demands increased public information…

The Dena’ina Center in Anchorage hosted the Alaska Kennel Club’s Dog Show on Saturday. Dog owners and enthusiasts gathered to showcase their pets, and the event ran throughout the weekend. Rhees Bartlett, a seasoned dog show participant, was excited to show off her fox terrier, Digo. “I always learn something new at dog shows,” Bartlett said. “I ask questions and pick people’s brains.” The event attracted a diverse range of dog breeds, each with its unique characteristics and traits. From the tiny Chihuahua to the majestic Great Dane, the dog show had something for everyone. Dog owners and enthusiasts marveled…