Author: Rachel Enano

The Alaska-Israel conflict has been a pressing issue, with supporters of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas rallying in Anchorage, Alaska. They urged the United States to stop providing military aid to Israel. The rally was organized by the Party for Socialism and Libertarian Anchorage via their Facebook page. The organization emphasized the need to sustain the Palestine solidarity movement until the occupation ends. The ceasefire, announced on Wednesday, is set to begin on Sunday, according to mediators. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially attributed delays to a last-minute dispute with Hamas. By 6 p.m. AKST, Netanyahu confirmed that a…

The Anchorage crime concerns are escalating. Michael Krischuk, a 34-year-old man, was involved in an attempted robbery at a spa. He allegedly tried to tie up an employee and was shot twice by police when he refused to drop his gun. Krischuk was out on reduced bail at the time of the incident. He had been charged with armed robbery and assault in March 2024. His bail was initially set at $10,000. However, in April 2024, a judge reduced it to $2,000. As a condition of his release, Krischuk was required to undergo random drug testing and wear an ankle…

A wind storm swept through Anchorage, causing destruction and power outages. The Anchorage windstorm brought winds of over 100 mph, knocking down trees and power lines. By Sunday morning, over 13,000 residents were without power. The storm’s strong winds caused significant damage, including a partially collapsed pedestrian bridge over Seward Highway. Chugach Electric reported over 19,000 customers were without power at the peak of the outages. Crews worked to restore power, focusing on largest to smallest outages. The storm brought heavy rain and snow, with a coastal flood advisory on the Kuskokwim Delta Coast. Water levels elevated up to 4…

Holland America Line, a renowned cruise company, is investing $70 million to enhance its Denali properties and expand its Cruistours. This significant investment will boost tourism opportunities for Alaskans. According to Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, “This investment is a win for Alaska, our guests, and Holland America Line.” The Holland America Alaska tourism initiative is a major development in the state’s tourism industry. The investment will focus on elevating the guest experience while generating economic benefits for Alaskans. It will be achieved by increasing visitor capacity and creating jobs throughout the multi-year project. Moreover, the project will…

Alaska’s Recreation funding is getting a boost from cell phone GPS data, which is being used to inform funding decisions. This approach is part of the Alaska recreation funding plan presented by Ricky Geases, the director of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. The GPS data provides valuable insights into recreation patterns, enabling officials to make informed decisions about infrastructure. It has numerous benefits, including promoting personal health and wellness, supporting economic growth, and contributing to workforce development. In addition to these benefits, investing in Alaska’s state parks is essential for enhancing the…

Alaska Lawmakers have introduced 81 measures ahead of the legislative session, which begins later this month. This batch of proposed legislation offers a glimpse into their priorities, including increasing public education funding, reforming the state’s retirement system, and addressing the natural gas shortage. Some notable proposals include repealing ranked-choice voting, implementing campaign contribution limits, and banning cellphone use in schools. Anchorage Democratic Sen. Bill Wielechowski’s bill would give school districts the authority to prohibit cell phone use. Fairbanks Democrat Rep. Maxine Dibert’s bill would provide free meals to all public school students. Another proposal, introduced by Sitka Republic Sen. Bert…

A powerful storm battered Southcentral Alaska over the weekend, bringing extreme winds, rain, and snow. Consequently, widespread power outages and property damage were reported. As of Sunday morning, Chugach Electric reported close to 3,500 customers without power. Meanwhile, the Anchorage Bowl was particularly hard hit, with strong winds knocking down trees and power lines. Furthermore, the storm caused significant disruptions to daily life. Alyeska Resort, Hilltop Ski Area, and Arctic Valley announced closures due to the extreme weather. Additionally, the Steward Highway bridge partially collapsed overnight, closing the highway for several hours. Similarly, the incident highlighted the need for regular…

A devastating Seward highway crash occurred late Thursday evening, leaving one person dead and two others injured. The incident happened when a semi-truck collided head-on with a Kia Sorento SUV on the Seward Highway near Girdwood. According to police, the semi was traveling southbound on the highway when it crashed into the northbound SUV, a man died at the scene. Meanwhile, the two occupants of the semi, a man and a woman, were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The crash led to the closure of the highway in both directions, as police investigated the…

The Anchorage Homeless Crisis is a pressing issue plaguing the city. Many individuals, like Alex, are struggling to find stable housing. Alex has been familiar with the cycle of abatements. Recently, Alex faced his second abatement in two months, forcing him to pack up his belongings and move on. According to Anchorage Police Department Captain Amanda Fisher, the department works hard to address the issue of homelessness, despite the lack of clear solutions. The APD’s Homeless Outreach Prevention and Engagement (HOPE) team has made significant efforts to engage with encampments. And support those experiencing homelessness.  The team made 500 contacts…

Alaska’s population has seen a slight increase, reaching its highest point since 2016. According to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the state’s population grew by 0.31% from 2023 to 2024. This increase is attributed to births outpacing both deaths and outward migration. The state’s population is estimated to have increased to 741,147 people, with 15143 births and 3,437 deaths recorded between 2023 and 2024. Despite a net loss of 1,163 residents to outward migration, the natural increase of 2,274 people contributed to population growth. Alaska has seen consistent loss to outward migration over the last…

The Armed Services YMCA of Alaska seeks nominations for its 2025 Salute to Military awards. The awards recognize civilians who have supported troops in Alaska and exceptional enlisted service members. Two civilians will be honored with this year’s awards: the Alaska Military Spouse of the Year and the Bobby Alexander Civic Leader of the Year. According to Kat Franchino, Marketing Director for ASYMCA of Alaska, the nonprofit organization represents enlisted members from all branches of the military in Alaska. The awards are an opportunity to highlight the sacrifices these younger service members make while stationed in the Last Frontier. Moreover,…

The Fairbanks school consolidation plan has sparked concerns and optimism among stakeholders. School Board President Melissa Burnett expressed her worries about the potential impact on rural communities, particularly Salcha and Two Rivers. Burnett highlighted the need for careful consideration of transportation times and the potential effects on students and families in these areas. She emphasized the importance of providing clear information to the affected communities. Moreover, Burnett wants to ensure that the communities have a solid understanding of what the consolidation plan entails. Also how it will affect them. The school board is seeking feedback from the public, particularly regarding…