Author: Rachel Enano

An avalanche on Tuesday afternoon near Girdwood, Alaska, killed three heli-skiers. The avalanche was massive and swept the skiers away. Alaska State Troopers reported that the skiers were part of a commercial heliskiing operation, Chugach Powder Guides. Rescue attempts were made, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful. The ski guides used avalanche beacons to locate the skiers. They found the skiers buried between 40 and 100 feet below the surface. Recovery efforts were suspended on Tuesday due to the high avalanche risk and loss of daylight. The suspension of recovery efforts has raised concerns among the families of the missing skiers.…

The Anchorage School Board met on Tuesday to discuss the future of two empty school buildings, Nunaka Valley and Lake Hood Elementary. The Anchorage Schools Bid process is now underway. This process will determine the fate of these buildings. Several charter schools expressed interest in occupying the buildings, including Highland Academy Charter School and Rilke Schule German Immersion School. The school board considered a recommendation to grant these schools the buildings. Meanwhile, representatives from the interested schools spoke during the public comment period. Students, parents, and staff from Rilke Schule and Highland Academy shared their thoughts on the proposal. Anchorage…

Skyler Evans, a former teacher at Hutchison High School and Tanana Middle School in Fairbanks, Alaska, was arrested Tuesday morning for sexual abuse of a minor. The Skyler Evans arrested case is a shocking development in the community. According to the police, the offenses took place from 2021 to 2022, while Evans was employed with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District—the allegations against Evans range from grooming the victim to multiple instances of sexual abuse. The police department takes allegations of sexual abuse very seriously, and this case is no exception. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working…

The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission made a significant decision Monday night, unanimously approving an ordinance to alter large parts of the municipal code. This update, which proposes amendments to Title 21, aims to increase safety and encourage more development in the municipality. The Anchorage Planning Code Update is a crucial step forward. The proposed changes include new standards for driveway widths, sidewalks, and access to alleys, as well as measures to increase pedestrian protection from vehicles. Several people and organizations supported the code change at the Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing. According to Anchorage Planning Director Melisa Babb,…

Anchorage Police Search for John Patea, who has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and third-degree assault in connection to the shooting death of 29-year-old Kikite Fatu. On February 24, officers responded to a report of a woman being shot in the Mountain View neighborhood. Medics took Fatu to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, but she later died. The investigation into Fatu’s murder is ongoing, with police gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. The community is shocked and saddened by the senseless act of violence. Friends and family of Fatu are seeking justice and calling for Patea’s arrest. Witnesses told police…

Cyrano’s Theatre Company in Anchorage has launched a groundbreaking Cyrano’s Theatre Accessibility initiative. The company recently introduced live closed captioning for its production of “Cabaret”, allowing audience members to follow the dialogue on their mobile devices. Moreover, production manager Seth Eggleston emphasizes the importance of accessibility in the arts. “The arts are essential for telling stories and creating a sense of community,” he says. “We want to ensure everyone can participate and enjoy live theater.” This initiative is a significant milestone for Cyrano’s Theatre Company. By introducing closed captioning, the company is demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. This…

Ray Holloway, a University of Alaska Anchorage student, is working to expand the LGBTQ+ History in Anchorage. Holloway, a non-traditional student studying Psychology, drew inspiration from her history when she enrolled in Katherine Sinclair’s “Bodies and Boundaries: Sex and Gender in History” course. Moreover, Holloway’s project focuses on the 1980s, when the Covenant House began providing support to the LGBTQ+ community. She was surprised to find a lack of resources and information on queer Alaskans, particularly those who were disadvantaged. Notably, Holloway’s research has already uncovered some remarkable stories. One testimonial shared with her highlighted the resilience of the LGBTQ+…

Delta Junction’s emergency services are facing a critical funding crisis. Delta Medical Transport (DMT) has struggled to provide sustainable emergency medical services (EMS) since 2022. Amber White, owner and CEO of DMT, says the situation is dire. Moreover, DMT announced in January that it would cease responding to 911 calls due to financial constraints. However, following an outpouring of community support, DMT extended its termination date with the city of Delta Junction from February 21 to March 31. Additionally, community leaders, including Lori Roberts, Igor Zaremba, and the board of Alaska emergency services, have stepped up to help find a…

Alaska Medicaid Funding Cuts are sparking concerns among lawmakers and residents. A budget resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives aims to reduce federal spending by $2 trillion over a decade. Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, called the vote “insane.” Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, warned that the only way to achieve such drastic cuts would be to slash Medicaid funding. This particularly concerns Alaska, where one-third of residents rely on Medicaid for healthcare. Medicaid plays a vital role in Alaska’s healthcare system. It funds hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, and supports 12% of the state’s jobs. Rep. Genevieve Mina,…

The Anchorage School District’s budget cuts have sparked concerns among educators, parents, and students. The Cuts will have a significant impact on the community. Corey Aist, President of the Anchorage Education Association, expressed concern about the impact on educators. “For years, educators have felt overwhelmed with large class sizes and excessive student behaviors,” Aist said. “This lack of funding will encourage educators to leave Alaska for the Lower 48.” Gov. Mike Dunleavy recently stated that he does not support the HB69 education funding bill. Students and parents are also feeling the effects of the budget cuts. Adina Roberts, a fourth-grader…

Alaska is set to receive a major upgrade to its cruise ship infrastructure with the passage of a bill to finance a new $135 million passenger dock in Seward, marking a significant step in Seward Passenger Dock Development. The project, part of the Seward Passenger Dock Replacement Project, will replace the existing fixed passenger dock built in 1966 with a floating double-berth pier extending 748 feet into the harbor. This new dock will be able to harbor larger cruise ships and Alaska Marine Highway System ferries, boosting intrastate travel to Seward. House Bill 65 passed the Alaska Senate with a…

A federal funding review has paused the upgrade of Alaska’s emergency warning systems. This FEMA funding review has left nine Alaska radio stations in uncertainty. The pause has significant implications for Alaska’s emergency preparedness. The state’s rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions make reliable emergency alert systems crucial for public safety. The Next Generation Warning System grant program, funded by FEMA, aims to replace and upgrade infrastructure. However, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has directed public broadcasters to pause projects. CPB’s decision has caused uncertainty among public broadcasters. They are now waiting for clarification on the FEMA funding review…