Wire Service

Donna Schantz (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Voices: Transparency is the foundation of public trust

The inability to verify is a core concern the council has regarding the upcoming sale to Hilcorp.

Donna Schantz (Courtesy photo)
Soldotna’s Rodriguez claims top bantamweight ranking in state with TKO in AFC 157

Soldotna’s Rodriguez claims top bantamweight ranking in state with TKO in AFC 157

For the first time in nearly 15 years, the Kenai Peninsula is home to an Alaska Fighting Champion. When Soldotna’s own Victor Rodriguez climbed to… Continue reading

Soldotna’s Rodriguez claims top bantamweight ranking in state with TKO in AFC 157
File

Schools briefs for the week of March 8, 2020

What’s happening this week

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President Donald Trump talks to members of the media before leaving the White House, Monday, March 2, 2020 in Washington, to attend a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C. (Associated Press Photo | Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Opinion: Trump’s lawsuits may be a campaign strategy

He’s sowing seeds of doubt.

President Donald Trump talks to members of the media before leaving the White House, Monday, March 2, 2020 in Washington, to attend a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C. (Associated Press Photo | Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Lance Mackey is shown before the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. The real race starts March 8 about 50 miles north of Anchorage, with the winner expected in the Bering Sea coastal town of Nome about 10 or 11 days later. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Iditarod kicks off

Race seeks relevance as grueling trek across Alaska starts

Four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Lance Mackey is shown before the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. The real race starts March 8 about 50 miles north of Anchorage, with the winner expected in the Bering Sea coastal town of Nome about 10 or 11 days later. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Nikolaevsk girls, Lumen boys win Peninsula Conference titles; CIA girls, Nikolaevsk boys also nab state berths

Nikolaevsk girls, Lumen boys win Peninsula Conference titles; CIA girls, Nikolaevsk boys also nab state berths

The Lumen Christi boys and Nikolaevsk girls won Peninsula Conference titles Friday night at Cook Inlet Academy. Lumen Christi defeated Ninilchik 51-28, while Nikolaevsk defeated… Continue reading

Nikolaevsk girls, Lumen boys win Peninsula Conference titles; CIA girls, Nikolaevsk boys also nab state berths

Alaska Voices: What is the Cloud and what does it mean to the state of Alaska?

By increasing the use of cloud environments, the state will achieve significant cost savings.

Alaska Voices: Feed and speed Dunleavy recall

Alaska Voices: Feed and speed Dunleavy recall

Any successful musher isn’t afraid to switch out a team lead when they’re doing a poor job.

Alaska Voices: Feed and speed Dunleavy recall
Jennifer Christopherson is the Alaska Outreach Coordinator for Defenders of Wildlife and is based in Anchorage, Alaska. (Courtesy photo)

Voices of the Peninsula: Staying safe in bear country

Bears get into trouble because they are driven by their noses.

Jennifer Christopherson is the Alaska Outreach Coordinator for Defenders of Wildlife and is based in Anchorage, Alaska. (Courtesy photo)
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Minister’s Message: Persevering through tough times with God’s love

What does the Bible say about how we are to react to troubles, hardship and bad news?

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Alaska Rep. David Eastman sits at his desk on the Alaska House floor on Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. The House voted Thursday to remove Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, from committee positions after House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt indicated frustrations with Eastman within the GOP caucus. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Wasilla lawmaker loses his House roles

He will be replaced on the House Judiciary Committee by Rep. Sarah Vance.

Alaska Rep. David Eastman sits at his desk on the Alaska House floor on Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. The House voted Thursday to remove Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, from committee positions after House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt indicated frustrations with Eastman within the GOP caucus. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Refuge Notebook: Metabarcoding in our backyard

Refuge Notebook: Metabarcoding in our backyard

I like low key, low tech, cheap science. That is part of why I became an entomologist. I love that I can walk out the… Continue reading

Refuge Notebook: Metabarcoding in our backyard
The author’s fancy new skis are seen here during a ski in early January 2020. (Photo by Kat Sorensen)

Tangled Up in Blue: Don’t think twice

When my first Alaska Permanent Fund dividend hit my bank account, I did what every Alaskan wants to do, no matter how fiscally responsible they… Continue reading

The author’s fancy new skis are seen here during a ski in early January 2020. (Photo by Kat Sorensen)
Alaska’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, speaks to legislators during a briefing on the state’s preparations for the new coronavirus on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska health Commissioner Adam Crum and Zink, briefed state legislators Wednesday on preparations. Zink urged calm and kindness and encouraged people to get flu shots, to help keep the state’s limited capacity health care system from being overwhelmed. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska raises preparedness level around new coronavirus

Tests for COVID-19 in Alaska currently are being prioritized for people considered at higher risk.

Alaska’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, speaks to legislators during a briefing on the state’s preparations for the new coronavirus on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska health Commissioner Adam Crum and Zink, briefed state legislators Wednesday on preparations. Zink urged calm and kindness and encouraged people to get flu shots, to help keep the state’s limited capacity health care system from being overwhelmed. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

State prepares for changes in food stamps program

About 5,000 Alaskans could lose food stamp benefits under new rules set to take effect April 1.

Ann Berg

Pioneer Potluck: Old black stoves and wringer washing machines

The old farmhouse was cozy and warm in the kitchen with the big black cookstove in the corner.

Ann Berg
In this March 15, 2009, Jeff King leaves the Kaltag, Alaska, checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Emergency surgery has sidelined the four-time race winner days before he was set to compete in his 30th race. King withdrew Tuesday, March 3, 2020, over concerns for his health, a spokeswoman for the Iditarod told The Associated Press. The race will start Sunday north of Anchorage. (AP Photo/Al Grillo,File)

4-time Iditarod champ sidelined

Jeff King withdrew Tuesday over concerns for his health.

In this March 15, 2009, Jeff King leaves the Kaltag, Alaska, checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Emergency surgery has sidelined the four-time race winner days before he was set to compete in his 30th race. King withdrew Tuesday, March 3, 2020, over concerns for his health, a spokeswoman for the Iditarod told The Associated Press. The race will start Sunday north of Anchorage. (AP Photo/Al Grillo,File)
Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Incompetence turns inefficiency into failure for ferries and Real IDs

Welcome to the Gov. Mike Dunleavy era of efficient government.

Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Michael Dinneen / Associated Press                                2018 champion Joar Lefseth Ulsom runs his team down Fourth Ave during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage on March 2, 2019. Alaska Airlines announced Monday that it will drop its sponsorship of the event.

Alaska Airlines drops sponsorship of Iditarod

Alaska Airlines spokesman said in an email that “PETA did not play a role in our decision.”

Michael Dinneen / Associated Press                                2018 champion Joar Lefseth Ulsom runs his team down Fourth Ave during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage on March 2, 2019. Alaska Airlines announced Monday that it will drop its sponsorship of the event.
An ambulance worker adjusts her protective mask as she wheels a stretcher into a nursing facility where more than 50 people are sick and being tested for the COVID-19 virus, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Opinion: Preparing for the new coronavirus

Here are a few key steps everyone can do now.

An ambulance worker adjusts her protective mask as she wheels a stretcher into a nursing facility where more than 50 people are sick and being tested for the COVID-19 virus, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)