Author: Nicole Thompson

The latest Alaska Infrastructure Report Card showed that the state received a C grade, an improvement from the C- given four years ago. The American Society of Civil Engineers released the report, crediting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for funding major improvements. However, the Alaska Marine Highway System remained the lowest-rated category, receiving a D grade. Engineers emphasized that proper asset management is key to preserving infrastructure and reducing costly repairs. One of the presenters, Greg Kinney, explained that officials must monitor facility conditions to perform preventative maintenance and plan long-term repairs. The report, issued every four years, assesses…

Disability advocates in Alaska are urging the state to withdraw from a federal lawsuit challenging Biden administration regulations on disability rights. Alaska, along with 16 other Republican-led states, joined the lawsuit State of Texas et al v. Becerra et al in September, filing it in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The lawsuit opposes updates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which bans discrimination against disabled individuals in federally funded programs. Alaska officials argued that the revised regulations create unfunded mandates that burden Medicaid services and potentially reduce available care. Attorney General Treg Taylor warned…

A federal magistrate ruled that Somali asylum seeker Roble Ahmed Salad in Anchorage is being detained illegally and should be released immediately. Salad, 27, was arrested on February 5 in Anchorage as part of a national immigration crackdown initiated by President Donald Trump.  Trump’s legal team quickly filed a federal court challenge, highlighting how his immigration policies affect individuals in Alaska. Salad entered the US through Mexico in 2022 seeking asylum but officials rejected his claim and ordered his deportation in 2023. However the government acknowledged Somalia’s extreme dangers preventing authorities from forcibly sending him back. Stuck in legal limbo…

Alaska Senate leaders introduced a bill Monday to change the Permanent Fund dividend formula to stabilize future payments. The proposal would allocate 75% of the annual fund transfer to state services, leaving 25% for dividends. Senator Lyman Hoffman and six finance committee members sponsored Senate Bill 109, emphasizing the need for a consistent dividend structure. They believe this formula would prevent future disputes over dividend amounts and ensure reliable funding for state services. Hoffman explained that this proposal deserves a serious discussion because Alaskans need predictability in funding essential services and dividends. He acknowledged that senate leadership had not consulted…

The Anchorage School Board budget cuts for the 2025-2026 fiscal year include eliminating nearly 500 jobs and reducing key educational programs. However, Tuesday’s amendment could reverse these cuts if the Alaska legislature approves additional school funding. Board members Kelly Lessens and Carl Jacobs introduced Amendment #6, which provides a framework for restoring programs if funding increases. If approved unanimously, the amendment would allow the district to recover over $71 million in revenue. Lessens acknowledged that while the district is not following best fiscal practices, prioritizing students is necessary to avoid deeper cuts. The current budget eliminates all middle and high…

The Anchorage school budget cuts could significantly impact staff and programs unless state lawmakers approve increased education funding this spring. The Anchorage School Board is set to vote Tuesday on a budget that addresses a projected $111 million deficit for the upcoming school year. Board members Carl Jacobs and Kelly Lessens proposed an amendment outlining how the district would allocate a potential $1,000 increase in per-year student funding. If the Alaska Legislature approves the budget by May 15, the district can restore crucial programs and reduce class sizes to 2016 levels. The proposal reserves $71.1 million for student support, including…

Lawmakers are reviewing Alaska’s child abuse law after advocates shared disturbing cases of physical abuse that fall outside current protection. Dr. Sean Dugan, head of the Alaska CARES program, presented lawmakers with images of children showing severe injuries from physical abuse. Dugan argued that the law must redefine what constitutes unreasonable force to prevent abusers from exploiting legal loopholes. One horrifying case involved a toddler who suffered repeated burns on their feet with a lighter for making mistakes while learning the ABCs. Dugan explained that such trauma can lead to lifelong triggers impacting the child’s mental and emotional well-being. He…

Residents in northeast Anchorage are raising alarms about a Centennial Park homeless encampment after a recent fire at Davis Park. The situation unfolded Sunday when Northeast Community Council member Stuart Grenier spotted people unloading furniture and belongings at the park. Some appeared to be setting up camp, raising safety concerns. Gernier said municipal vehicles arrived later to remove some discarded furniture while more people continued unloading items.  According to Gernier, several individuals claimed they had been displaced from a different downtown or downtown Anchorage encampment. He reported the situation to local authorities and contacted Anchorage Assembly member Karen Bronga.  “And…

Federal immigration authorities are moving forward with the deportation of Somali asylum seeker detained in Anchorage despite legal arguments that Somalia remains too dangerous for return. Rolbe Ahmed Salad, 27, has been in ICE custody since February 5, with his attorney arguing his detention is both unlawful and unnecessary.  Salad, who entered the US through the Mexican border in December 2022, applied for asylum, claiming he feared persecution in Somalia. Authorities initially found his claim credible, but he later lost his asylum case at a hearing where he had no legal representative. The government ordered his deportation in May 2023,…

Anchorage police shot and killed a man inside a Midtown hotel room early Friday after he fired through the door at officers. The incident occurred at the Hampton Inn Anchorage on Credit Union Drive, near C Street and Tudor Road. Police responded around 3:45 after hotel security reported a suspicious vehicle with damage indicating that it might have been stolen. Officers found a felony warrant linked to the car, Police Chief Sean Case said. Inside the hotel, officers encountered two people who had been in the vehicle, including the suspect, who entered a room occupied by six people. The group…

Alaska lawmakers pressed Representative Nick Begich about the energy funding freeze, warning it could stall critical projects and increase blackout risks. During a joint session legislators challenged Begich about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) decision to halt $750 million in previously approved projects.  DOGE, a federal restructuring initiative led by President Donald Trump and advisor Elon Musk aims to enhance government efficiency but has sparked controversy over its impact on Alaska’s economy. Rep Zack Fields D-Anchorage accused the administration of unlawfully freezing funds secured by Alaska’s congressional delegation. He urged Begich, a DOGE caucus member, to fight for project…

Due to financial struggles and a caregiver shortage, Providence nursing home sales in Anchorage will transfer three facilities to the Ensign Group. Providence, Alaska’s largest healthcare provider, confirmed the sale as part of a 10-facility deal spanning multiple states, including Oregon, Washington, and California. The California-based Ensign Group, founded in 1999, operates 327 skilled nursing and senior living facilities across 15 states. Ensign announced the acquisition in December, but neither company disclosed the financial terms. Providence Extended Care and Providence Transitional Care Center in northeast Anchorage, as well as Providence Horizon House in Midtown, are among the Anchorage facilities changing…