Author: Nicole Thompson

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…

State scientists in Alaska found more than 100 dead fish in Sherman Creek, downstream from the Kensington Mine, in August. Seven months later, Coeur Mining, the mine’s operator, and state authorities have not determined why the fish died off. Lab testing on creek samples and mine effluent showed no evidence of pollution, according to a November letter from Coeur Mining. However, watershed ecologist Chris Sergeant hypothesized that contamination might have entered the creek prior to testing. The sergeant emphasized the crucial need to regularly sample the water near mining operations. On August 8, mine workers used RocKracker, an explosive linked…

Alaska officials are pushing to continue the controversial predator control program in Western Alaska despite a recent court ruling deeming it unconstitutional. On Friday, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game submitted an emergency request to the state Board of Game, seeking authorization to extend the program for a third year. The intensive management program aims to restore the declining Mulchatna Caribou Herd, which has plummeted from 200,000 animals in 1997 to just 13,000. Officials argue that predator control is essential to rebuilding the herd, which is a critical food source for dozens of rural communities. Since the program began…