Author: Nicole Thompson

Clearing has started on a tiny area of tribally owned property in Birchwood for the Native Village of Eklutna gaming hall development. The local community has had a range of emotions about this development. The Eklutna Tribe has been patiently waiting for the green light from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to move forward with the development, which would span around eight acres of property. However, laborers may start clearing ground for future construction equipment since the National Indian Gaming Commission has already granted the go-ahead. The Birchwood Community Council voiced their displeasure with the project’s lack of communication. According…

The National Weather Service has issued a Mendenhall River flood warning due to the anticipated glacial dam outburst flooding. City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) authorities have warned residents since Friday when the National Weather Service forecast 11 to 11.5-foot flood crests. This flooding could affect properties between View Drive and Meander Way, with water levels projected to peak between 1 and 7 a.m. on Monday. Juneau is still dealing with the aftermath of two years of devastating floods caused by glacial dam releases. President Joe Biden granted disaster relief funds, providing critical resources as new flood worries surface. In…

Within two weeks, the Anchorage School District will publicly list the schools it intends to shut, repurpose, or redraw borders for. This action is a component of what the district has called “rightsizing.” According to the district, this project has been underway since April, and officials have been using survey data from the community to inform their decision-making. The district’s primary goal is to enhance the quality of educational opportunities accessible to all children, which they approach with a strong sense of urgency. The focus on improving academic quality drives the movement towards rightsizing, coinciding with the district’s efforts to…

Alaska state wins as U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason for Alaska vacated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) critical habitat designations for the Arctic subspecies of ringed seals and the Beringia population of bearded seals. Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor argued that federal land use restrictions hinder Alaskans’ access to their land and resources. He claimed these restrictions often disguise themselves under the pretense of conservation. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) originally recognized vast regions roughly the size of Texas as critical habitats for both seal species. The Court overturned this designation because NMFS failed to explain why such…

The Alaska Federation of Natives convention will begin Thursday morning at the Dena’ina Civic and Conference Center. This three-day event, themed “Our Children, Our Future Ancestors,” will cover critical topics such as voting, public safety, and sustenance. Benjamin Mallott, president of the Alaska Native Federation, emphasized the convention’s importance in effectively educating future leaders. He stated that it allows current leaders to engage in meaningful discussions about the needs of Alaska Native communities. Mallott said the conference is open to the public and offers insight into Alaska Native customs and struggles. Participants will be provided insight into the policies these…

Palmer City Council chose John Diumenti as temporary Palmer interim city manager on Tuesday night, following the resignation of Stephen Jellie, the former city manager. The Palmer City Council chose Diumenti, who currently manages Palmer Airport, during an emergency meeting to fill the leadership void. This meeting occurred just days after Jellie resigned and immediately before another special city council session to examine the city’s budget. Jellie, who had been in the position for less than two months, resigned on October 9. As part of his departure, he agreed to a severance compensation of $75,000, equivalent to six months of…

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s proposed budget includes increased money for the Anchorage Fire Department Mobile Crisis Team (MCT). The budget allocates an additional $1.36 million to ensure the service remains available at all times. The crisis team consists of a qualified mental health therapist and an EMT or paramedic from the fire department. The Fire Department Dispatch Center evaluates 911 calls and decides if they should dispatch the MCT. The supervising clinician, Jennifer Pierce, stressed that the team links people to follow-up programs and offers instant aid. The aim is to decrease the number of needless hospital visits and ensure that…

Patrick Moran, 34, of Anchorage, has been named the culprit in the Richardson Vista disturbance that forced the evacuation last night. The event took place in the area of Government Hill, in the 900 block of Richardson Vista Road. At around 11:14 p.m. on Saturday, police said they began receiving several reports of a guy damaging cars in a parking lot while reportedly brandishing a huge knife. This sparked the incident. According to eyewitnesses, Moran cut tires and vandalized cars before locking himself in an apartment. The Anchorage Police Department (APD) responded swiftly after Moran reportedly set fire to the…

On Friday night, more than 22,000 Chugach Electric customers experienced a power outage due to a major load-shedding event. A significant outage happens when a primary power generation source along the Railbelt fails, resulting in extensive disruption. At 7:35 p.m., Chugach Electric confirmed the outage to Alaska’s News Source, stating the necessity to shed some customers to avert a more comprehensive power loss. This approach ensures stability in the power grid by aligning the electric load with the available generation. After the event, Chugach Electric shared additional information about the situation in a Facebook post. The company indicated that the…

Additional information has emerged regarding the fatal shooting of 24-year-old James V. Afuvai, who an officer shot during the Anchorage Mountain View Shooting on September 29.  Afuvai allegedly lunged toward the responding officer, Sgt. James Dokken, brandishing a 14-inch knife before Dokken fired and killed him. According to the police, Afuvai allegedly made three muddled 911 calls, initially claiming that someone was in danger while refusing to provide additional details. After the call, Afuvai provided police with a false identity when reporting gunfire in his area to dispatch. Afuvai identified himself as the victim and requested updates on the last…

Alaska’s seafood industry plummeted, costing $1.8 billion and cutting profits in half. New NOAA research attributes this collapse to rising borrowing rates, labor, and energy expenses. The fall in Alaska’s core industry hurt local economies, cost roughly 38,000 jobs, and cut U.S. GDP by $4.3 billion. Overall, the situation highlights Alaska’s seafood industry’s significant challenges and broader implications for the national economy. Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California shed $191 million in state and local tax revenue. Director of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Robert Foy, emphasized the national ramifications, stating that Alaska’s seafood industry is critical to the U.S. seafood…

On Saturday night, a massive fire ripped through the town of Haines in the Southeast, destroying several stores and residences and incurring millions of dollars in damage. The Alaska State Troopers reported that the Haines Volunteer Fire Department and the Haines Borough Police Department responded to a fire at the intersection of Haines Highway and Mud Bay. In addition to the second-story apartments, the building had several businesses, such as Haines’ Quick Shop, Outfitter Liquor, Outfitter Sporting Goods, and Mike’s Bikes & Boards. Everyone safely evacuated the building, and fortunately, no one sustained injuries. The fire caused an estimated $3.5…