What does democracy look like? It’s the 7 million Americans who peacefully took to the streets in Saturday’s “No Kings” rallies all across our country — in our cities as well as our small rural towns. The millions who exercised their right to free speech clearly demonstrated how protest is foundational to our democracy. The […]
Posted inState of Alaska, Local News
Dunleavy drive to reduce regulation could reshape many parts of life in Alaska
In the next few years, Alaskans could see sweeping changes to everyday life under an ambitious and far-reaching program launched by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Administrative Order 360, issued in August, calls on state agencies to reduce the number of state regulations by 15% before 2027 and 25% cumulatively before 2028. Both deadlines would come after Dunleavy, who […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Government & Elections
Free lunch group in Juneau seeks to offer substantive help for federal employees facing lean times
Eric Antrim has been furloughed from his job as a U.S. Forest Service bridge inspector, but says he’s definitely not idle because he knows things may get difficult quickly for other federal employees not working due to the government shutdown that began Oct. 1. “If this goes on like it seems like it’s going to, […]
Posted inCommentary
Dialing up memories of what we don’t hear
This column is for people who remember — or who heard stories from their parents or grandparents — that staticky, buzzing melody of beeps when someone would dial in for a connection to the internet, and an equally static-sounding machine at the other end would answer. It was called a “handshake.” It sounded a bit […]
Posted inNews, Health, Economy
SNAP benefits on pace to run out in two weeks if shutdown persists
WASHINGTON — As the federal government shutdown extends to day 17, and with congressional leaders nowhere near negotiating, state officials are beginning to raise concerns of potential cuts to nutrition assistance benefits that feed millions if the government isn’t reopened. Minnesota has already halted new enrollments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. And officials in Kansas, New Hampshire and New Mexico have warned […]
Posted inLocal News, Public Safety
School board member resigns, charged with violating protective orders
A school board member faces charges of violating protective orders filed by members of his immediate family. Mark Jamison was elected to the school board in 2023. He turned in his resignation on Oct. 10, a year before his term was scheduled to end. Four days later, he was charged with four misdemeanor counts of […]
Posted inNews
Here’s how you can help survivors of the Western Alaska storm
Community groups and businesses across the state are coordinating relief efforts after the remnants of Typhoon Halong brought widespread devastation to Western Alaska. The storm has killed one person, left two missing, displaced hundreds and destroyed or damaged dozens of homes, especially in the hardest-hit communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. Here’s how you can help. Financial […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Juneau’s airport not showing Noem video blaming Democrats for shutdown, but some other Alaska airports likely will
A traveler getting on a plane at Juneau International Airport won’t see a Trump administration video blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown, but may well see it if passing through the airports in Anchorage or Fairbanks. The video is part of a series of blatantly political attacks by Trump officials in official government communications, […]
Posted inPublic Safety, News
Alaska’s whooping cough outbreak infected hundreds, with infants suffering the most
Alaska’s outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has now subsided, but it created some significant impacts for residents, state data shows. The outbreak ran from April 2024 to 2025. During that 12-month period, there were 679 confirmed or probable cases reported in the state, said a newly released bulletin from the Alaska Division of Health’s epidemiology […]
Posted inLocal News
Working group discusses lack of childcare options in the Chilkat Valley
A childcare working group facilitated by the Haines Economic Development Corporation met for the second time on Tuesday for a discussion about the state of childcare in Haines and efforts to improve access. Haines Mayor Tom Morphet chaired the meeting, which featured a roundtable of around five people, including local business owners and stakeholders from […]