Author: Nicole Thompson

Alaska’s Department of Health unveiled the final Governor’s task force report on child care, offering solutions to widespread accessibility issues. The two-year study revealed Alaska’s childcare crisis, with over 10% of licensed providers closing since 2020. This has fueled severe childcare deserts, leaving families without essential resources. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, these shortages cost Alaska’s economy $165 million annually. The report proposed 56 recommendations for affordability, accessibility, workforce sustainability, and quality improvements. Governor Mike Dunleavy praised the task force’s work, stating that addressing the childcare shortages aligns with his vision to make Alaska more family-friendly. Dunleavy’s…

Alaskans joined the world in mourning after former President Jimmy Carter passed away Sunday at 100 years old. President Joe Biden has ordered a National Day of Mourning. Furthermore, he scheduled an official state funeral in Washington, D.C., on January 9th.  Carter served as president from 1977 to 1982 and spent his post-presidential years advancing humanitarian efforts worldwide. Although political differences existed, Alaska leaders reflected on Jimmy Carter’s impact on Alaska. Governor Mike Dunleavy offered his condolences, focusing on Carter’s dedication to democracy and human rights as an inspiration to millions. He wrote on social media that “His 100 years…

Fairbanks police arrested a local man Thursday evening after discovering methamphetamine sewn into three stuffed toys. The meth-filled stuffed toys discovery followed a federal search warrant executed on December 23rd. Authorities intercepted the package containing approximately five pounds of meth and traced its shipment from San Bernardino, California. It was addressed to a woman residing at a drug rehabilitation center in Fairbanks. To investigate the meth-filled stuff toys case, investigators planted a tracking device and UV reactive substance called clue spray inside the package before delivering. By noon Thursday, officials had delivered the package to the recipient’s apartment. When the…

An Anchorage Officer got hurt in a crash after a vehicle sideswiped the officer’s cruiser on Friday morning. The rollover incident occurred around 9 a.m. near Eklutna, forcing authorities to close the Glenn Highway and redirect traffic.  Anchorage police directed vehicles over the Eklutna overpass, managing the flow after the crash halted traffic on the busy highway. While assisting with traffic control, an Anchorage officer parked a police cruiser near the scene, which was later struck by a passing vehicle. The collision injured the officer but caused no severe harm, according to an Anchorage Police Department report. A second parked…

The new Fairbanks Hopelink Warming Center has officially opened its doors in a larger space previously occupied by Goldie’s. Replacing its former location at the Hannah Solomon Building on Wendell Avenue, the center now offers enhanced services to support Fairbanks’ unhoused population during harsh winters. Opening on December 9, the warming center operates nightly from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. through April, an hour earlier than last year. Program manager Keyda Lampkin explained that the earlier start accommodates increasingly cold evening temperatures. “Every year, it gets colder earlier,” Lampkin said, emphasizing the importance of adapting to meet community needs. As…

Early Christmas morning, a Juneau Police officer fatally shot a woman armed with a hatchet outside a convenience store. According to Deputy Police Chief Krag Campbell, the Juneau Police shooting occurred after the department responded at 5:25 a.m. to a report about a woman threatening people with a hammer. The 30-year-old woman allegedly threatened the caller before advancing towards officers with a hatchet. Police arrived on the scene and encountered the woman in the parking lot. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, she continued walking towards them, holding the hatchet. Officers deployed a Taser, which struck the woman but…

ConocoPhillips’s massive Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope has prompted a groundbreaking environmental deal with local Iñupiat leaders. The US Bureau of Land Management recently signed a right-of-way agreement with Nuiqsut Trilateral Inc., a partnership combining Nuiqsut’s city and city governments with Kuukpik Corp., the village’s Native corporation. The agreement ensures habitat protections for wildlife around Teshekpuk Lake, the North Slope’s largest lake and home to the Teshekpuk Caribou Herd. The partnership oversees nearly one million acres encircling the lake. The agreement prohibits new leasing surface or subsurface exploration and mining during the Willow oil project lifespan. Officials designed…

President-elect Donald Trump reignited the debate over renaming Denali during a speech in Phoenix on Sunday. He proposed renaming Denali to its former name, Mount McKinley, to honor the 25th president of the United States, William McKinley. Trump described McKinley’s economic contributions, particularly in generating wealth. President Theodore Roosevelt later used it for significant projects like the Panama Canal. Alaskan Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan instantly opposed the suggestion due to their strong support for Denali’s indigenous name.  Denali, meaning high or tall in Koyukon, reflects the heritage of the Native Alaskan people who have called it this…

Voters may decide in April whether to implement a new Anchorage sales tax proposal, but the Assembly is still discussing its details. Currently, the Assembly is considering five proposals. Four propose sales taxes ranging from 1.5% to 3% to address different concerns like property tax relief, public facilities, or general government revenue.  The fifth proposal suggests including an “advisory question” on the ballot so voters can voice their thoughts before a formal plan is decided. Assembly members Randy Sulte and Felix Rivera initiated the sales tax discussion through their Project Anchorage plan. The proposal initially included a 3% sales tax…

Eight residents of Chugiak sued in federal court on Monday, arguing that the character of their area is in danger due to a proposed tribal casino. In the Chugiak tribal casino lawsuit, the plaintiffs claimed that the Native Village of Eklutna’s planned casino would increase traffic, noise, and a decline in property values. The proposed 50,000-square-foot casino near Birchwood Spur Road includes 700 gaming machines, a bar, and a restaurant. Brian Holl, a plaintiff, emphasized that the casino’s development would disrupt the family-oriented atmosphere. “This has been a very abrupt circumstance for us and the neighborhood to understand that this…

Former Bethel police officer Jonathan Murphy faces a lawsuit in civil court accused of assaulting Bernard Mael after a December 2023 traffic stop. The victim, Mael, alleges that Murphy’s actions caused permanent brain damage, limiting his ability to live a normal life.  The Bethel police officer lawsuit filed on December 6th details an alleged series of violent actions by Murphy, another officer, and the City of Bethel. During the initial stop, Murphy allegedly punched Mael twice, escalating the situation when Mael attempted to comply with commands.  After Murphy and Officer Jonathan Bouma pursued Mael’s vehicle and crashed into a snowbank,…

Governor Mike Dunleavy wants President-elect Donald Trump to reverse Biden-era policies in Alaska that impact the economy and native lands. In a letter dated November 15th, Dunleavy demanded immediate action to repeal rules that he says hinder resource development. Dunleavy´s 27-page document, made public on Monday, lists suggested federal amendments to encourage Alaska´s development. The Governor requested an executive order to remove restrictions on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil drilling and the National Petroleum Reserve activities. Governor Dunleavy also sought Trump´s support for constructing a controversial 200-mile road to the Ambler mining district and reversing a ban on new roads…