Author: Nicole Thompson

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…

According to recent testing statistics, more than half of Alaska’s children fell short of math and English Language Arts competence standards. The Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK Star) evaluated approximately 68,000 students in the 2023-24 academic year. Results showed no improvement from the previous year. Only 35.5% of pupils in the Anchorage school district achieving competence in both courses. “We’re underperforming because we’re not meeting the standards set out, you know, by the State of Alaska, which was designed for Alaskan educators,” stated Deena Bishop from the Department of Education and Early Development. Bishop emphasized that early educational challenges,…

A city in the state of Alaska is grappling with an imminent natural gas shortage in Anchorage, a challenge decades in the making, as the city leader warned. Deputy municipal manager Mark Spafford described it as a “train that has been barreling toward the region,” needing urgent action. Experts predict a significant gas shortfall as early as 2027, threatening residents’ ability to heat homes and power businesses. Anchorage Assembly members recently convened to hear proposals addressing the crisis, focusing on the urgent need for immediate solutions. Policy advisor Nolan Klouda noted that utilities Enstar Natural Gas and Chugach Electric must…

Before launching Alaska’s legislative session in January, Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s education funding proposal was announced at a press conference. He provided little information at the conference, stating that the legislation was still in the early stages. Dunleavy, however, pledged that the legislation would combine increased funding with reforms to improve outcomes across public, charter, and correspondence schools. Alaska’s education system has faced criticism over stagnant funding levels, with the base student allocation remaining flat since 2017.  Legislators’ temporary financial increases frequently come too late, forcing districts to fire employees and leaving instructors in a precarious situation. Last year, Dunleavy vetoed a bill that…

A federal court’s decision to block the proposed Alaska grocery store merger between Kroger and Albertsons received widespread approval on Tuesday. The $24.6 billion merger, which would create the largest grocery chain in US history, faced heavy scrutiny from regulators and local communities. US District Judge Adrienne Nelson issued a preliminary injunction after holding a three-week hearing in Portland, Oregon. State Senator Bill Wielechowski praised the ruling, emphasizing its importance for Alaskan rural communities with limited grocery options. “This has been a huge concern for a long time,” Wielechowski said. Local shoppers in Alaska also expressed relief. “I’m glad they…

Biden’s administration has finalized plans for an oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Scheduled for January 9th, the sale will include 400,000 acres of the refuge’s coastal plain, the minimum allowed under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This decision has reignited the Arctic Refuge lease sale controversy, sparking opposition from environmental groups. Furthermore, the environmental advocates have vowed to fight the sale in court, emphasizing the potential risks to the fragile ecosystem. Erik Grafe of Earthjustice criticized the decision, calling oil drilling in the refuge “all risk with no reward.” He pledged ongoing…

A series of earthquakes in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands shook the region, with scientists identifying the activity as a “swarm.” The Alaska Earthquake Center reported nine quakes, each above the magnitude 5.0, striking near Adak, Amchitka, and Kiska islands. Among these tremors, the strongest measured 6.3 and occurred offshore at an 11-mile depth. No injuries or damage were reported immediately on Adak Island, the only inhabited island in the affected area, home to about 300 residents. The earthquake center clarified that the 6.3 quake posed no significant threat because of its offshore location and limited impact. Seismic activity intensified later in…