Wire Service

  • 3722 Stories
  • Page 2 of 187
File

Minister’s Message: Finding love in the pits

Navigate your way out of the mire of life with the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

File
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Building better lives for Alaskans

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State House District 7 Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Putting patients first

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Alaska State House District 7 Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Students smile from atop a mountain peak while engaged in KMTA’s Pathfinders program. The program fosters environmental literacy and lifelong learning using an experiential, inquiry-based teaching model and helps expose students to the rich histories, environments and recreation opportunities available in the KMTA. (Photo courtesy of KMTA)

Kenai Peninsula heritage area faces uncertain future

Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is known for its expansive program offerings for Alaska youth.

Students smile from atop a mountain peak while engaged in KMTA’s Pathfinders program. The program fosters environmental literacy and lifelong learning using an experiential, inquiry-based teaching model and helps expose students to the rich histories, environments and recreation opportunities available in the KMTA. (Photo courtesy of KMTA)
In an undated photo provided by Wyatt Mayo/Alaska Volcano Observatory shows Mount Spurr, in October, which is being monitored for signs that it is moving closer to erupting. A spending freeze could disrupt systems that warn communities when eruptions appear imminent. (Wyatt Mayo/Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey via The New York Times)

Spurr in spotlight as volcano shows signs of possible eruption

The volcano erupted in 1992 and 1953.

In an undated photo provided by Wyatt Mayo/Alaska Volcano Observatory shows Mount Spurr, in October, which is being monitored for signs that it is moving closer to erupting. A spending freeze could disrupt systems that warn communities when eruptions appear imminent. (Wyatt Mayo/Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey via The New York Times)
The Naushon sits in the Homer Harbor during its decommissioning ceremony on Friday, March 21, 2025, on Freight Dock Road on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Former USCG cutter Naushon decommissioned in Homer

A ceremony in its honor was held Friday, March 21.

The Naushon sits in the Homer Harbor during its decommissioning ceremony on Friday, March 21, 2025, on Freight Dock Road on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Freeing states from the ‘stranglehold’ of the U.S. Department of Education

The USDOE has also been captured by a political ideology that has been harmful to education in America.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A researcher points out fragments of elodea found in the upper stretches of Crescent Creek caught on tree branches and down logs. (Emily Heale/Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association)

Homer conservation district feels impacts of federal funding freeze

Programs related to invasive species, habitat and trails, native plants and agriculture have all been negatively impacted.

A researcher points out fragments of elodea found in the upper stretches of Crescent Creek caught on tree branches and down logs. (Emily Heale/Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association)
Alaska State House District 7 candidate Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Building a culture of reading

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Alaska State House District 7 candidate Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Continuing discussions on education, looking toward workforce development

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
weggew

Minister’s Message: Run and not grow weary

If we place our trust in God, He will provide the strength we need to keep going.

weggew
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Homer Middle School teacher arrested on charges of sexual assault and burglary

Charles Kent Rininger, 38, was arrested March 12 by Alaska State Troopers.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Homer Port Director Bryan Hawkins. (Photo provided)

Opinion: The importance of the Homer Harbor expansion

Alaska’s marine trades and service businesses must be on a competitive playing field with other ports and harbors.

Homer Port Director Bryan Hawkins. (Photo provided)
File

Minster’s Message: Will all things really work for your good?

Most of us have experienced having a door of opportunity or a door of happiness closed.

File
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Capitol Corner: Agricultural department makes sense, but order raises questions about funding, operation

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A group of volunteers during the 2024 K-Bay Sea Duck Survey. Two boats duplicate the same survey in the same area at the same time to help ensure accuracy. (Photo courtesy of Bjorn Larson)

Homer bird enthusiasts prepare for annual sea duck count

The count aims to ensure a proper and consistent population estimate before the ducks begin their April migration.

A group of volunteers during the 2024 K-Bay Sea Duck Survey. Two boats duplicate the same survey in the same area at the same time to help ensure accuracy. (Photo courtesy of Bjorn Larson)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: HB 69 moves forward, fixes still needed

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Coast Guard officer Alexander Curran shows Homer visitors the bow of the USCG cutter Naushon on Aug. 4, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News.)

USCG cutter Naushon to be decommissioned  

A ceremony honoring the soon-to-be retired ship will be held on Friday, March 21 on the Homer Spit.

U.S. Coast Guard officer Alexander Curran shows Homer visitors the bow of the USCG cutter Naushon on Aug. 4, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News.)
Bicyclists race around a corner during the 2025 Homer Epic fundraiser for the Homer Cycling Club. (Photo courtesy of Jake Schlapfer)

Homer Cycling Club hosts ‘Homer Epic’ fundraiser race

The ski category was canceled due to “unfavorable conditions”

Bicyclists race around a corner during the 2025 Homer Epic fundraiser for the Homer Cycling Club. (Photo courtesy of Jake Schlapfer)
Community members hold up protest signs during the Stand for Democracy Rally on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

‘We haven’t lost our democracy yet’

Homer community protests amid sweeping federal changes.

Community members hold up protest signs during the Stand for Democracy Rally on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)