News

FUNDING TALK–Governor Mike Dunleavy during an April 17 press conference in the Capitol discussed his veto of Senate Bill 69, a bill passed by the Legislature that would have increased the per student funding formula by $1,000.

Dunleavy vetoes $1,000 increase to school funding

Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a bill today that would have increased the per-student base funding formula by $1,000, about 17 percent, instead submitting a bill which proposes a $560 increase along with...

ON THE FLOOR–Senator Donny Olson during a Senate Floor session on April 10.

Senate passes bill to reappropriate $10 million from port funding

The City of Nome could lose $10 million in state funding, which was part of a $175 million appropriation by the Alaska Legislature in May 2022 for the Port of Nome expansion. This has come as a...

HANDS OFF— Nomeites gather at Anvil City Square on Saturday to join nationwide protests against Trump and DOGE.

Nomeites join nation in protests against Trump, Musk

Last Saturday, people in more than 1,200 locations across the country rallied against President Donald Trump and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency and its leader Elon Musk, in what is...

ARCTIC AFFAIRS— Former U.S. Arctic Ambassador Michael Sfraga spoke to the Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs last week. He explained how critical Alaska is for the U.S. as a global power in the Arctic and how the Port of Nome could play a strategic role in that.

Bering Strait highlighted in Arctic security presentation

Speaking to state senators last week, Mike Sfraga, the former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs emphasized the importance of the Bering Strait region in domestic and foreign policy. “I...

IPOP proposes a gold mine operation in the Bonanza Channel

Three local tribes file lawsuit challenging Army Corps’ mining permit to IPOP

The Village of Solomon, Native Village of Council and King Island Native Community filed a civil lawsuit in Alaska District Court today against the Army Corps of Engineers’ approval of IPOP LLC’s...

GET TO WORK–Representatives Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage), Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage), Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham) and Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) pack up following a press conference in speaker chambers on Tuesday April 8.

PFD and school funding keys to balanced state budget

Legislators are working to balance the state operating budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, with school funding and Permanent Fund dividends at the forefront of the conversation. Both are...

Graphite One camp located north of the Kigluaik Mountains.

Graphite One expects more production at proposed mine

Graphite One’s projected production rate could triple their initial estimates from 2022, according to a press release by the company on Thursday, preceding the publication of the mine’s feasibility...

CELEBRATING YUPIK DAYS— Andrea Ungott, Zinnia Nowpakahok and Kageta Apassingok dance during the Yupik Days, held last week in Gambell

Gambell celebrates Yupik Days

The John Apangalook School was filled with stories, laughter, and music last week, as Gambell celebrated its 46th annual Yupik Days. The event opened on Wednesday with a welcome lunch and Elders’...

Following DNR’s application denial, IPOP can appeal or reapply

Following the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ denial of IPOP LLC’s application for permits to mine for gold in Bonanza Channel, the Nevada-based company has few options to move forward with...

Mayor John Handeland congratulates candidate Lee Smith, after the council picked Smith as the new city manager.

City offers city manager job to Lee Smith, enters into contract negotiations

On Friday evening, March 21, the Nome Common Council grilled the two candidates vying for the city manager’s job with more than 16 questions, spread out over two grueling hours. Then the candidates...