News

SOAK TIME— Many people enjoyed the hot spring pool last weekend during the Pilgrim Hot Springs Mini Festival, held June 29.

Soaking in the summertime at Pilgrim Hot Springs

By Anna Lionas It was a busy day on the Kougarok Road last Saturday, as caravans of vehicles were visible for miles by the dust plumes they left in their wake. They were headed for Pilgrim Hot...

Bypass mail rate to increase soon

By Anna Lionas In less than two weeks the price for the Alaska Bypass Mail Service will increase by 9.4 percent, with grocery bills expected to increase because of it. This price change is...

Norton Sound Health Corporation interns (from left) Cash Arrington, Kaitlyn Johnson, Dorothy Callahan, Guadalupe Callahan and Aries Bioff hold their favorite bird cutouts inside the NSHC Operations Building on Thursday, June 26, 2025, after four hours of priming work.

Birds on Parade set to replace Nome’s painted sled dog art

By Sarah Manriquez The sled dogs are coming down, and birds are about to take their place. Norton Sound Health Corporation is launching its 2025 community art contest, Birds on Parade, inviting...

Nome celebrates summer solstice

By Sarah Manriquez From costumed heists to icy plunges and paddle-powered raft races, Nome celebrated the summer solstice in style during the annual Midnight Sun Festival, held over the weekend. The...

The cruise ship Westerdam was the first cruise ship to arrive in Nome for the season.

Westerdam visits Nome

By Laura Robertson Last Thursday, the cruise ship Westerdam returned to Nome after having visited the Gold Rush town last year for the first time. The eleven-deck ship seemed to dwarf town as it lay...

Nome School District asks for more money from city

By Anna Lionas Nome Public Schools is facing a deficit of over $1 million for the next school year, following funding reductions at both the local and state level. Now, they’re asking the City of...

ESPECT THE BEAR— Properly skinning and processing a harvested polar bear is an intergenerational act of respect, tradition and shared responsibility. June 23 was day three of fleshing the hide for Kaitlyn Painter, Charles Kokuluk, Frances Muktoyuk, Caroline Brown, Gabrielle Brown, Yvonne Muktoyuk, Jared Wiggins and Jessica Russell.

Hunter harvests summer polar bear at Woolley Lagoon

By Sarah Manriquez When Jared Wiggins saw a polar bear walking toward him near his camp by Woolley Lagoon last week, he knew what was at stake. “It was either him or me,” Wiggins said. “And it wasn’t...

Anna Ashenfelter raises her arms as she crosses the finish line and is showered in blue powder during the 2025 Color Run on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Running with Pride: Color Run Paints Nome with Wellness, Community and Joy

By Sarah Manriquez Over 35 Nome residents came together Tuesday evening for a one-mile dash filled with vibrant color, laughter, and a strong message of inclusivity. Hosted by Norton Sound Health...

DEBRIEF— Charlie Lean, left, and participants in Tuesday’s oil spill response drill discuss the lessons learned.

Coast Guard oil spill drill reveals valuable lessons

By Laura Robertson On June 10, an imaginary fishing vessel was approaching the Port of Nome when its engine caught fire. The ship crashed into the rocks with 18 people, 150,000 gallons of fuel oil,...

LET’S DRINK LEMONADE— Lemonade Head buys a cup of shaved ice from Ava and Mabel’s Shave Ice and Tropical Lemonade stand during Mizuktata on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Inspired by a recent family trip to Hawaii, Ava Bahnke, 13, and Mabel Steed, 10, welcome customers with music from Disney’s Moana and flower leis for a taste of summer, Hawaiian-style.

80 young entrepreneurs stir it up at Mizuktata

By Sarah Manriquez Under overcast skies and a cool coastal breeze, music, sweet smells and small-business ambition filled Nome’s neighborhoods as 80 young entrepreneurs took to the streets on...