Author: Nicole Thompson

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…

Protestors gathered outside the Fairbanks Federal Building on Wednesday, continuing protests against the Trump administration’s budget cuts, which eliminated 100 jobs. Across Alaska, hundreds participated in Presidents Day protests opposing federal job cuts that impacted federal workers and essential state programs.  “I am here to support federal funding and federal workers who work in the state of Alaska,” protestor Abigail Nastan said, emphasizing her appreciation for public workers. She criticized the Trump administration’s decision, calling the reductions willy-nilly cuts that harmed public safety. Elon Musk, a Trump administration advisor overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), defended the workforce reductions.…

A voting mistake on Wednesday moved House public school funding one step closer to passage, altering the balance in a divided House in Alaska. Representative Mike Prax mistakenly joined the House majority in advancing House Bill 69 to the finance committee.  With 20 votes required, his error secured the bill’s progress. HB 69 would permanently increase per-student public school funding across Alaska if enacted. The finance committee will now review the bill before a full House vote. Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, alerted him, but he failed to change his vote on time. Realizing the error, Prax attempted…

During his first trip to Alaska since taking office, Congressman Nick Begich addressed job cuts caused by federal workforce reductions. In Fairbanks, he estimated that nearly 100 Alaskans lost jobs due to mass firing under the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). ″These workers primarily were on a probationary period with the federal government,” Begich explained. He encouraged affected employees to share details about their positions so his office could review possible reinstatements. Beigch emphasized that the bipartisan DOGE caucus, which includes Democrats and Republicans, aims to eliminate government waste, fraud, and inefficiencies. He acknowledged concerns about job losses…

The Anchorage School District (ASD) plans to cut immersion programs next year, leaving parents worried about their children’s education. With a projected $100 million deficit, ASD officials say they must make difficult budget decisions that could impact nearly 3,000 students currently enrolled in immersion programs. These programs provide instruction in 7 languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, German, Yu’pik, and French. Holly Brooks, a parent of two first graders in O’Malley Elementary’s French immersion program, has joined efforts to protect these programs. Brooks believes the cuts will hurt language immersion and overall school enrollment, putting O’Malley at risk of closure.…

The University of Alaska Anchorage is strengthening its workforce training programs to help Alaskans adapt to a changing job market. As industries evolve, the demand for skilled workers grows, making education more critical than ever. However, many Alaskans struggle to balance education with work and family responsibilities, making traditional degree programs less accessible. UAA’s dual mission approach allows students to pursue short-term training, technical certifications, or traditional degrees based on their needs. This flexibility ensures that education remains a lifelong resource, helping individuals gain skills, enter the workforce and return for further advancement. By creating diverse pathways, UAA aligns education…

Anchorage resident Joyce Haught recently discovered her Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits had vanished, leaving her without groceries. She later learned that the federal reimbursement program for stolen benefits ended in 2024, a fact she had never received an official notice about. In a December 23, 2024 memo, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service instructed state agencies to warn SNAP recipients about fraud risks. The reimbursement program introduced in October 2022 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act expired on December 20, 2024. Haught, who relies on disability income, never received these warnings. She only realized the program had ended after…