Author: Nicole Thompson

Peninsula Oilers announced on Thursday that they will not participate in the Alaska Baseball League’s 2025 season because of financial difficulties. The team is coming off a 2024 season with a 23-19 record, including a strong 16-5 at home. Due to Peninsula Oilers’ financial challenges, the team plans to regroup before considering a return. Team President Michael Tice explained that taking the season off would allow the Oilers to focus on securing better fundraising avenues. He stated that the will have to come up with some better strategies for fundraising because gaming just isn’t cutting it anymore. Historically, the team…

The Biden administration has unveiled a plan to allow oil companies to lease parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling under new restrictions. This Arctic oil leasing plan, detailed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, opens at least 400,000 acres of the refuge’s coastal plain for leasing. Leases will be limited to high-potential hydrocarbon areas and subject to enhanced environmental protections for wildlife and other resources.  This approach starkly contrasts policies under former President Donald Trump, who is set to return to the white house. His administration authorized broader oil development in the refuge, a decision Biden’s…

Voters in Bethel and Royalston narrowly opposed a $3.8 million bond issue for improvements to the White River Unified District’s middle and high schools. According to unofficial reports from the district clerk, Karmen Bascom 753 opposed the Bethel-Royalston school bond while 743 supported it. The two-town district roughly contains 3,548 voters. The district school board chairman, Andrew Jones, acknowledged the vote’s closeness; he stated that “it’s not like a decisive decision one way or another.” He hinted at exploring other options but declined to theorize on future steps. The $6.8 million project proposed a new performing arts center in South Royalton,…

Alaska’s US House race early results indicate that Nick Begich III has gained an early lead in the race for Alaska’s US House Seat. Begich is ahead of current Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola by 5,264 votes or around 5%, with more than 40% reporting. Trump had endorsed Begich earlier in the race. Begich, a Chugiak-based Republican from a well-known Democratic family, could reclaim the House seat once held by his grandfather, former Congressman Nick Begich, who disappeared in 1972 in his chartered plane while campaigning. In downtown Anchorage, Begich supporters gathered to celebrate him at his election party. The crowd…

Alaska’s Division of Elections assured voters that polling locations across rural areas will remain open and staffed for general election. After Alaska rural election challenges in the August primary, particularly impacting Native communities, officials prioritized measures to prevent similar obstacles. “We are optimistic that all precincts will be open and ready to go,” said Division Director Carol Beecher. Beecher noted staffing efforts in rural communities, especially in Region 4, which spans Northern, Western, and Southwest Alaska. It includes the Aleutian Chain and villages like Tyonek, Port Graham, and Nanwalek. During the primary, Rep. Mary Peltola raised concerns about polling sites…

Captain Clayton Lex with Anchorage Fire Station 1 recently spoke about the potential dangers of Carbon Monoxide and provided safety tips. Carbon Monoxide safety is important as it is a colorless, odorless gas that can be dangerous if undetected. CO comes from the incomplete combustion in many everyday household items. According to the EPA, potential CO sources include Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, chimneys and furnaces, gas water heaters, wood and wood stoves, fireplaces, gasoline-powered equipment, generators, automobile exhaust from attached garages, and tobacco smoke. When these appliances don’t work correctly, they release CO into the home, posing severe…

In August, the small Alaskan village of Kaktovik faced an election crisis when its polling station failed to open. This highlighted Alaska’s Native voting challenges, as 189 registered voters had nowhere to cast ballots. George Kaleak, a whaling captain in Alaska, posted flyers seeking poll workers for the August election. Furthermore, the state of Alaska failed to send election staff, resulting in Kaktovik polling sites remaining closed on election day. Similar difficulties affected other Alaskan communities, such as Wales and Anaktuvuk Pass, where polling places opened late or not at all. In a state where remote villages often need more…

With Alaska’s first significant snowfall of the 2024-2025 season approaching, Anchorage residents and business owners expressed their enduring commitment to snow. Anchorage experienced record-breaking snow in 2023-2024, leading to public criticism and heated debate over snow removal. Addressing these concerns became a key component of Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s campaign, and her administration has allocated millions toward updating snow equipment in her first 100 days in office for Anchorage snowfall preparations Crews from the Alaska Department of Transportation have been checking equipment and changing schedules before the winter season. JEFFCO Ground Maintenance, a private snow removal firm, takes a similar strategy.…

Governor Mike Dunleavy announced Thursday that five new Anchorage cargo airlines have started operating at Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport, which significantly boosts the local economy. Standing alongside the state’s transportation commissioner and other officials, Dunleavy highlighted Anchorage’s rank among the world’s top four busiest cargo airports and second in the United States. He added that the expanded operations would mean more revenue, jobs, and economic activity for Alaska. Anchorage will be a major stop on the itineraries of the five new airlines: Awesome Cargo Airlines, Central Airlines of China, ASL Air Cargo, Aerologic Air Cargo, and CMA CGM Air…

The contentious construction of diving boards at Bartlett High School’s 50-meter pool has raised concerns from the swimming and diving communities, prompting the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission to hold a special meeting for the Anchorage diving boards controversy. “This meeting aims to acknowledge these concerns, especially given the previous administration’s lack of public process related to the project,” the office of Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said.  According to Title IV of the city ordinance, Becky Windt Pearson highlighted that modifications to Parks and Recreation property, such as diving boards, often call for Assembly participation and public input. She clarified that…

The Donlin mine controversy has become a vital issue in Alaska’s U.S. House election. Republican candidate Nick Begich constantly criticizes presidential decisions that limit resource development. At the same time, Democratic incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola highlights her advocacy for the Willow oil project in the National Petroleum Reserve. Although Begich supports controversial projects like the Pebble Mine, Peltola takes a more measured approach. Peltola backs oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and on the North Slope, setting her apart from many Democrats in other states. However, she opposes the Pebble Mine and the Ambler Road project, which…

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…