Author: Rachel Enano

Holly and Sarah Dittman, two Anchorage sisters, are organizing a memorial run to honor their friend Jayla Blackshear. Jayla and her mother, Raechyl Blackshear, were tragically killed in 2022. The Jayla Blackshear Memorial Run aims to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence victims. The Dittman sisters were close friends with Jayla. They shared fond memories of her love for running track. To honor her memory, they partnered with the DOME and USA Track and Field Alaska Association. The memorial run will occur on Saturday, with registration open to all ages. Jalonni Marcel Blackshear, Jayla’s father, has been indicted on…

Alaska’s refugee resettlement program is facing uncertainty. Nonprofit organizations, including the Alaska ACLU and Catholic Social Services, are concerned. They say changes to refugee resettlement policies are confusing. Mara Kimmel, Executive Director of ACLU Alaska, says understanding who is in the state and their contributions is crucial. “We want to provide a clear picture of immigration in Alaska,” Kimmel says. The Alaska ACLU is working to educate lawmakers and the public about the importance of refugee resettlement. President Donald Trump’s executive orders restricting immigration have led to uncertainty. Issa Spatrisano, State Refugee Coordinator with Catholic Social Services, explains that refugees…

President Donald Trump has once again brought attention to the Alaska Gas Project Revival, a major undertaking struggling to gain traction for years. The proposed 810-mile pipeline would transport gas from Alaska’s North Slope to port, primarily for export to Asian countries. Trump’s support has drawn praise from Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, both Republicans. “We appreciate the president’s commitment to this project,” Dunleavy said. However, the project faces significant hurdles, including a hefty price tag of $44 billion for the pipeline and related infrastructure. Critics view this as a rehashed version of a decades-old effort…

The Anchorage School District Board met to discuss next year’s budget, which includes significant cuts due to a $100 million deficit. Over 100 people signed up to testify publicly, expressing concerns about the proposed budget. District staff and board members attribute the deficit to a lack of state and federal funding. Andy Holleman, ASD School Board President, emphasized the uncertainty surrounding funding. “We have no idea what the number is going to be,” Holleman said. “So, the cuts people are seeing right now are a worst-case scenario.” The board is cautious not to promise jobs or programs without knowing the…

The University of Alaska leadership team presented their budget proposal to the Senate Finance Committee, requesting a $35 million increase in state funding, bringing the total to $366 million. This increase will address critical maintenance needs and support recruitment and retention efforts. University President Pat Pitney emphasized the importance of a strong student body, stating that “our financial stability relies on our students.” To build on this success, the university plans to commit an additional $5 million to increase recruitment and retention rates. The university also aims to expand its reach by targeting out-of-state and international students. To achieve this…

On Presidents’ Day, protesters across Alaska joined nationwide rallies against Trump administration policies. The protests, organized by the 50-50-one movement, aimed to oppose recent policies, including layoffs, executive orders, and Elon Musk’s involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Seward, protesters gathered at government buildings, calling attention to Alaska’s role in federal actions. Libby Roderick, an Anchorage protester, criticized the Trump administration’s policies, saying they would have shocked her father’s friend, Ted Stevens, a former Republican Majority whip. Protesters also expressed concerns about the impact of Trump’s policies on their families. Kunaan Julie Smyth,…

Michelle Bittner’s lawsuit against the state’s Mulchatna Predator Control program has been reinstated by the Alaska Supreme Court. This decision gives Bittner the right to challenge the program, which kills bears and wolves to boost the declining Mulchatna caribou herd. Bittner, an Anchorage attorney, had visited Katmai National Park and Preserve, where she enjoyed viewing bears. The Supreme Court found that her interest in viewing bears was harmed by the state’s program, which has killed nearly 200 bears so far. The Mulchatna caribou herd has declined sharply since the 1990s, from 200,000 to less than 13,000. The state Board of…

A heated dispute is unfolding in the literary world, pitting unpublished Alaskan author Lynne Freeman against bestselling writer Tracy Wolff and her agent. Freeman alleges that Wolff’s popular young adult paranormal fantasy series, Crave, lifted elements from her manuscript, Blue Moon Rising. Freeman had been working on her manuscript since 2010. She enlisted the help of literary agent Emily Sylvan Kim, who provided detailed feedback and revisions. However, after parting ways with Kim in 2014, Freeman discovered that Wolff’s series bore striking similarities to her work. Freeman was shocked that Crave shared a nearly identical plotline, character names, and personal…

Guernsey Tourism Tax plans are underway, and the Tourism Management Board (TMB) has expressed broad support for the proposal. Hannah Beacom, TMB chair, emphasized that her support hinges on the revenue generated being reinvested in the tourism industry. Beacom stressed that the tax should be modest to avoid deterring visitors. “We don’t want to scare people off,” she said. This highlights the importance of balancing generating revenue and maintaining a welcoming environment for tourists. Moreover, the TMB raised concerns about the cost of collecting the tax. This is a crucial consideration, as the board wants to ensure that the benefits…

Invasive Northern Pike Discovery is a major concern for Alaska Fish and Games biologists. Parker Bradley, a Fisheries Biologist, first spotted the fish last spring while testing boats in Finger Lake. Bradley and his team waited until winter to assess the situation as the initial discovery was made during the spawning period. They conducted a follow-up assessment to determine the number of Northern Pike in the lake. So far we haven’t seen any juveniles Bradley said, referring to the results of their netting efforts. The absence of juvenile Northern Pike makes it difficult to determine whether the fish are established…

Alaska Federal Job Cuts are a major concern for Senator Lisa Murkowski. She expressed her worries about the Trump administration’s plan to reduce the federal workforce. This plan could result in over 100 job losses in Alaska. Murkowski called the employee cuts abrupt and said they will do more harm than good. She shared the administration’s goal of reducing the size of the federal government but disagreed with the approach. The Trump administration ordered agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees who had not yet gained civil service protection. This move is part of a nationwide effort to downsize…

The Trump Administration Layoffs have begun, targeting federal agencies and impacting Alaska’s Public Lands. This move aims to reduce the federal workforce, making exceptions for public safety, immigration, and law enforcement. Federal Agencies have been instructed to lay off nearly all probationary employees. These employees have not worked in federal positions long enough to gain civil protections. Lee Hart, Executive Director of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance, confirmed that layoffs have already begun in Tongass National Forest and Chugach National Forest. Hart expressed concerns about the economic impact of these layoffs. Outdoor recreation is crucial to Alaska’s Economy. In 2023, outdoor…