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 Alaska Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal next month that challenges the validity of an initiative to repeal ranked choice voting and open primaries. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs are seeking a decision by September 3, the deadline for printing ballots for the November 5 general election. Notably, the initiative seeks to overturn Alaska’s voting system, which was introduced in 2020. However, three Alaska voters filed a lawsuit in April, questioning the signature-gathering process and errors in petition booklets. Consequently, they argue that repeal supporters didn’t collect enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. In a significant development,…
Alaska’s Coho Rodeo, a popular fishing event, has been delayed due to a lack of coho salmon in Ship Creek. Organizer Steve Slinker is worried as anglers worldwide come to participate. Historically, the last week of July and the first week of August are the peak seasons for coho salmon runs in Ship Creek. But this year, the expected influx of fish has not materialized, leaving anglers and organizers wondering when or if they will arrive. Uncertain Future for Coho Rodeo Slinker hopes the run is slower this year, but the delay highly impacts businesses, anglers, tourists, and Alaskans trying…
Fatal Shooting by Anchorage Police Justified A comprehensive state review justified the use of deadly force by three Anchorage police officers in the fatal shooting of Tyler May. The Office of Special Prosecutions investigated and found May had recklessly fired his gun and screamed before walking towards the senior center. This incident was a culmination of a series of events that posed a significant threat to public safety. Circumstances Surrounding the Shooting May argued with a woman, choked her, and ran towards the parking lot with a pistol. Police responded promptly to 911 calls and arrived within minutes. Officers ordered…
Recent Military Encounter Highlights Ongoing Tensions US and Canadian fighter jets intercepted two Chinese and two Russian military aircraft flying over international waters near Alaska on Wednesday. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracked the planes but did not consider them a threat. This incident is the latest in a series of military encounters between the US, Canada, and their competitors. Russia has a decades-long established military presence in the North Pacific, whereas China has notably escalated its military activity in the region over the past few years. Increased Military Activity in the Arctic Region In mid-July, the US…
As Interior Alaska swelters through another record-breaking heatwave, firefighters are shifting resources to tackle the growing Sinnott Fire near Eagle. The blaze, now spanning 800 acres, is burning in steep terrain just 2 miles from the nearest cabin. To combat the fire, the BLM Alaska Fire Service is mobilizing crews and aircraft to Eagle. The Yukon Crew and Denali Wildland Fire Module will join forces to protect properties and the town from the encroaching flames. Meanwhile, a Division of Forestry & Fire Protection helicopter has successfully contained the Dome Fire west of mile 117 Taylor Highway to just 2 acres…
In Alaska, some Republican candidates have vowed to withdraw from the general election if they don’t receive the most votes among fellow party members in the primary. Nick Begich III, who is running for Alaska’s U.S. House seat, made a campaign pledge in April. His campaign manager confirmed Begich still plans to abide by his promise. Other Republican candidates in state legislative races have also signed similar pledges. Trevor Jepsen, a campaign consultant, wrote these pledges to “circumvent ranked-choice voting.” Jepsen believes this approach will help Republicans win seats they might otherwise lose due to vote-splitting. In Senate District H,…
In a highly anticipated session on Thursday, a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals indicated a reluctance to approve an environmental group’s plea to temporarily stop a vital king salmon fishery in Southeast Alaska. In May 2023, a ruling by a judge in the U.S. District Court for western Washington concluded that federal authorities had allowed Alaska fishermen to catch king salmon at levels that endangered a population of killer whales in Puget Sound. This decision threatened to shut down the Southeast Alaska troll king salmon fishery, which is crucial for the region’s residents. However, the…
The federal judge who resigned on July 3rd amid accusations of sexual misconduct has also been allegedly found to have had a conflict of interest with attorneys who appeared before him in 23 criminal cases. An investigation uncovered that the judge has been having inappropriate sexual relationships with a law clerk, along with creating a hostile environment for his colleagues. On Friday, an email was sent to the state’s top federal public defender, Bryan Wilson, the head of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s criminal division, which stated that the former clerk did not have any cases before Judge Kindred while she…
A recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has cast a critical eye on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) and Federal Fisheries management of bycatch and fisheries observers. The report, released in July 2024, highlights shortcomings in both areas, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current practices. Focusing on five specific fisheries across the country, the GAO investigation revealed a disparity in observer coverage. The lucrative Alaska pollock fishery stands out as an anomaly, with industry funding enabling near-constant observer presence. This contrasts starkly with the less profitable Gulf of Alaska shrimp trawl fishery, which relies solely on…
Federal Officials Propose Enhanced Protections for National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. In a move set to bolster environmental safeguards, federal officials are proposing new protections for the vast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA). This initiative follows recent Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations aimed at curbing oil and gas drilling across over half of the reserve, including areas critical to the controversial Willow oil field project by ConocoPhillips. While conservation groups have welcomed these measures, they have sparked legal challenges from Alaska state authorities and ConocoPhillips. Undeterred, the BLM announced plans to solicit public feedback on establishing or expanding Special Areas within the…
Following a shocking incident at a rally in Pennsylvania, Alaska’s political leaders have rallied behind former President Donald Trump in the aftermath of an attempted assassination. The event took a harrowing turn as shots were fired just as Trump took the stage, resulting in casualties among attendees. The assailant, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was swiftly apprehended by the Secret Service after firing from a nearby rooftop. In response, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan expressed immense relief at Trump’s safety, condemning the recent assault on Trump and commending Trump’s bravery in the face of danger. He offered condolences to the family…
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved over $108 million to help Western Alaska communities rebuild infrastructure damaged by Typhoon Merbok in 2022. The funding, announced on July 12, 2024, will repair and replace critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, and utilities. FEMA collaborated with the State of Alaska and local governments to assess the damage and determine the needs of affected communities. Typhoon Merbok brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing widespread destruction and displacement in September 2022. The storm hit several communities, including Bethel, Hooper Bay, and Scammon Bay. Local governments and agencies will oversee the reconstruction projects,…