Author: Rachel Enano
Rachel Enano
Rachel is passionate about to write the stories that matter most to her community. With a sharp investigative mind and a knack for storytelling, she strives to shed light on both the triumphs and challenges faced by residents.
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…
The Bering Air Flight 445 investigation is underway, led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The team is working to determine the cause of the deadly crash that killed all 10 people on board. Clint Johnson, head of the Alaska NTSB regional office, is overseeing the investigation. Johnson says the team will examine the role of severe weather conditions in the accident. The investigation is a top priority for the NTSB. The team is working around the clock to gather evidence and conduct interviews, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for answers. Forensic Meteorologists are part of the…
The Section 504 Disability Rights controversy has sparked widespread concern among Alaskans. Alaska’s involvement in a lawsuit to repeal Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has raised alarms. This law provides crucial protections for people with disabilities. Nancy Bale, a school nurse in Anchorage, recalls the positive impact of Section 504. “It spurred a lot of great technology and interventions,” she said. Section 504 has been instrumental in promoting disability rights. However, Alaska has joined 16 other states in suing the US Department of Health and Human Services. They claim that a Biden-era alteration to federal disability law…
Robert Kennedy Jr. is poised to become the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, with a confirmation vote imminent. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has endorsed Kennedy’s nomination, praising his focus on chronic health conditions and commitment to improving the Indian Health Service. Initially, Murkowski expressed concerns about Kennedy’s views on vaccines, specifically his debunked theories linking childhood vaccines to autism. However, after seeking assurances from Kennedy, Murkowski believes he won’t hinder vaccination efforts or discourage people from getting vaccinated. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska also backs Kennedy’s nomination, highlighting his knowledge of Alaska’s unique healthcare challenges and commitment…
The community is rallying around the family of JaDee Moncur, a victim of the Bering Air Flight 445 crash near Nome. On Tuesday, Soda & S’more locations in Eagle River, JBER, and South Anchorage donated all proceeds to the Moncur family. Long lines of people formed outside the Soda & S’more Eagle River location, eager to support the family. Friends of the Moncur family expressed gratitude for the community’s support. Shelley Worley, a friend, hoped Soda & S’more would sell out, showing the Moncurs they are loved and cared for. The community’s support for the Moncur family has been overwhelming.…
Senate Bill 15, also known as the Alaska Youth Employment Bill, aims to address workforce shortages by allowing Alaskans as young as 16 to work in restaurants and those as young as 18 to serve alcohol in certain establishments. This bill is a crucial step toward supporting local businesses and promoting economic growth. The bill passed with a unanimous 19-0 vote in the Alaska Senate and will now move to the state House for consideration. Senator Kelly Merrick, who reintroduced the bill, emphasized that Alaskan businesses seek relief from workforce shortages. Many establishments support the bill, which would enable them…
The North Slope Borough has placed three officers on administrative leave following the Christian Vasquez incident on February 5. A video shared on social media showed an ATV pulling a rescue sled carrying Vasquez’s body to the hospital. The supervising officer was fired on Thursday. Borough Mayor Josiah Patkotak is leading a thorough review of the incident. His office examines the decision-making process and analyzes reports and video evidence. Patkotak stated that responding officers showed a “critical lapse in judgment” when transporting Vasquez. The incident has raised concerns about the officers’ actions. The borough aims to provide answers and ensure…
A decade ago, Alaska repealed tax incentives that encouraged filmmaking in the state. This led to big-budget productions leaving for places like Canada and Iceland. Now, a small group of filmmakers, including Alaskan-born Steven Cornfield, are working to bring those productions back. Cornfield, who began his career as an electrician on film sets, saw firsthand the impact of the previous incentives. “There were a lot of movies filming here, and many jobs were created,” he said. Cornfield is joined by Ashleigh Snead, a filmmaker and producer who wants to bring more productions to Alaska. The group draws inspiration from other…
Dozens of Alaskans gathered at the Glen Alps Trailhead on Sunday for a special avalanche safety training workshop by Mary Gianotti. The event was designed to teach and refresh avalanche safety skills, and Gianotti emphasized the importance of practice. “Practice like you have to use it all the time, and then travel like you will never need to,” Gianotti said. This approach helps build muscle memory and reduces stress in emergencies. The workshop was scheduled for January 26 but was postponed due to high winds and increased avalanche risk. The Avalanche Center partnered with the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage…
President Trump announced a groundbreaking Alaska LNG alliance with Japan during a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This joint venture marks a significant milestone in the Alaska LNG Project. Trump emphasized that Japan will soon begin importing historic new shipments of clean American liquefied natural gas in record numbers. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Alaska pipeline, the closest point of major oil and gas to Japan. The Alaska LNG Project is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy. The project will create thousands of jobs, from construction to operation, and generate billions…
A Bering Air plane carrying 10 people vanished near Nome, Alaska, on Thursday afternoon. The incident sparked a massive search and rescue operation. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft departed Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. and disappeared from radar at 3:16 p.m. over the Norton Sound. Jim West, volunteer fire and ambulance chief in Nome, reported the plane’s disappearance near the coast. Search and rescue crews from Nome and White Mountain are scouring a 30-mile stretch along the coast. However, near-zero visibility and rough sea ice are hindering the search. The Alaska State Troopers confirmed nine passengers and one pilot were…
The Anchorage School District (ASD) is facing a dire situation with a $100 million deficit in the 2025-2026 budget. Superintendent Dr. Jharett Bryantt says the root cause of the problem is the lack of inflation adjustment for the State’s “Base Student Allocation” (BSA). This issue has been ongoing for years. The BSA has only increased by $30 since 2017 and currently sits at $5,960. Bryantt believes this lack of adjustment hurts not just ASD, but districts statewide. Consequently, the district is being forced to consider drastic cuts. The proposed budget cuts include eliminating middle school sports, elementary library assistants, and…