Author: Rachel Enano

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Sean Parnell has announced his retirement. He will step down at the end of the spring semester. Parnell cited family reasons for his decision. Parnell has led UAA since 2021, focusing on college affordability and community partnerships. Under his leadership, UAA has made significant strides in these areas. For instance, the university has held tuition steady for multiple years, expanded scholarships, and decreased fees. The University of Alaska President Pat Pitneypraised Parnells leadership. Pitney said he had been a dedicated chancellor since day one. Parnell’s tenure was marked by challenges, including leading UAA through the…

The Hatcher Pass road closure has been announced due to high avalanche danger. Alaska State Parks made the announcement on Thursday afternoon. Heavy wet snow has created a high-risk avalanche situation. Justin Shelby, Administrative Operations Manager for the Alaska Dept. of Transportation and Public Safety, says the closure is a precautionary measure. “This closure is a preemptive measure to mitigate the risk of an avalanche during the anticipated storm this weekend,” Shelby explains. The decision to close the road was not made lightly. Alaska State Parks and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Safety carefully assessed the situation before…

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Board of Education is tackling an issue, the Fairbanks School Consolidation Plan. The plan addresses a $16 million budget deficit and a 15% drop in student enrollment. Recently, the school board held a community listening session at Lathrop High School. The session allowed parents and residents to share their thoughts on the plan. Six schools, Hunter Elementary, Midnight Sun Elementary, and Two Rivers Elementary, are recommended for closure. These schools are operating below capacity, ranging from 61% to 80%. The consolidation plan includes rightsizing efforts, redistricting, and redistributing students. It also involves revitalizing…

Alaska politicians are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s proposal to rename Denali, the tallest mountain in the US, back to Mount McKinley. This move has sparked a heated debate. Trump’s order has been met with resistance from many Alaskans. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy plans to discuss the issue with Trump. He wants to understand the motivation behind the proposed name change. Dunleavy’s wife and daughters are Alaska Native. He wants to emphasize the significance of the name Denali to the Nation’s community. The mountain was originally named Denali by the Koyukon Athabascan people. It means high or tall. In…

Jenna Wright, President of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, predicts a bright future for Anchorage’s economic growth. The city is expected to add 3000 new jobs, and personal incomes will continue to rise. However, Write notes that finding qualified individuals to fill these roles will be a challenge. The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation’s 2025 forecast report highlights the city’s struggle to attract and retain working-age residents. In 2014 working-age residents made up 69% of the population but this number declined to 65% in 2024. Meanwhile, certain industries such as construction and healthcare have shown significant growth. Mayor Susanne LaFrance emphasizes…

The Alaska House and Senate convened on Tuesday, marking the start of a two-year session with bipartisan majorities governing both legislative chambers. This session is crucial, as lawmakers face significant challenges in passing a balanced budget and addressing key priorities, including the Alaska Budget crisis. Leaders of the Democrat-dominated House and Senate majorities outline their priorities. These include a permanent increase in education funding, reforming Alaska’s public-sector retirement plans, election reform, energy policy, and passing a balanced budget. However, legislators face a challenging fiscal environment. Declining oil prices and a projected drop in state revenue will impact the budget process.…

Anchorage police are searching for a man who escaped from officers in a neighborhood off DeBarr Road late Tuesday morning, sparking the Anchorage Police chase incident. The suspect, described as a Polynesian male in his 20s or 30s, was initially found unresponsive in an SUV. Police attempted to wake the man using a horn and siren. However, he quickly accelerated through the barricade. The SUV drove through at least one yard and hit a fence and a gas line. Additionally, the SUV collided with a parked trailer and another vehicle. Meanwhile, police are investigating the incident. They did not confirm…

The native Village of Eklutna has achieved a significant milestone with the launch of the Chin’an Gaming Hall, marking a crucial step towards self-determination. This gaming hall has been a long-awaited project for the village. Aaron Leggett, President of the Native Village of Eklutna, expressed his excitement about this historic moment. “Today, it is official, the Chin’an Gaming Hall has begun operation,” he stated. Leggett emphasized that this represents a major achievement for the village. The gaming hall is located on ancestral lands owned by members of the Eklutna Tribe in the unincorporated communities of Birchwood and Chugiak. Initially, the…

Spencer Colony, a former pro football player, is hosting the Freedom Shred Event, an initiative to make snow sports more inclusive. Conley’s love affair with snowboarding began when he took his first lesson at Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage, Alaska. However, he soon noticed a glaring absence of Black families on the slopes. This realization sparked Conley’s desire to change the status quo. He partnered with Hilltop to host the Freedom Shred Event, which was recently in its third year. The event has become a beacon of hope for underrepresented communities in snow sports. The event, held over the Martin…

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…