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People carry signs and stand as part of a May Day protest alongside the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

May Day demonstrators champion workers’ rights, protest Trump policies

About 150 people turned out in Soldotna to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

People carry signs and stand as part of a May Day protest alongside the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer Electric Association Board President Dan Furlong speaks after being reelected at the utility’s annual meeting of the members at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

HEA elects status quo board

President Dan Furlong, Deputy Secretary Wayne Ogle and Director Erin McKittrick will all retain their seats.

Homer Electric Association Board President Dan Furlong speaks after being reelected at the utility’s annual meeting of the members at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Sterling Highway reconstruction delayed

The project, which spans from Anchor Point to Baycrest Hill, is anticipated to begin next spring.

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33rd Shorebird Festival starts next week

This year’s festival, running May 7-11, features “Wildlife DJ” Dr. Ben Mirin as keynote speaker.

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Individual Artist Awards logo. Photo courtesy of the Rasmuson Foundation

Rasmuson Foundation accepting applications for Individual Artist Awards

Project Awards are for short-term projects that clearly benefit the artist and their development.

Individual Artist Awards logo. Photo courtesy of the Rasmuson Foundation
Attendees gather to dance and to listen during a performance by Blackwater Railroad Company, part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Music Series announces lineup, starts June 4

The Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series will bring performances to Soldotna Creek Park each Wednesday.

Attendees gather to dance and to listen during a performance by Blackwater Railroad Company, part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Project Manager Jerrod Stafford, of Western Marine Construction, points to a map of the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project while giving an update on the project in Kenai on Wednesday.

Bluff project construction to start this month

The project set to be completed in October.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Project Manager Jerrod Stafford, of Western Marine Construction, points to a map of the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project while giving an update on the project in Kenai on Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during the Wednesday, April 30, 2025, floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Education funding bill passes Legislature with veto-proof margin

Education commissioner tells school districts to support governor’s policy goals or risk losing funds.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during the Wednesday, April 30, 2025, floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Geoff Kirsch and students from Sayéik Gastineau Community School sing during a rally for early education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Spend more for programs or PFDs? Legislators say reality may mean less money for both.

As protesters plea for reverse to program cuts, Senate budget leader says PFD may shrink to $1,000.

Geoff Kirsch and students from Sayéik Gastineau Community School sing during a rally for early education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Kenai Central's Diego Huerta heads the ball in front of Nikiski defender Jayden Anderson and goalie Emily Brannen on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Tuesday soccer: Kenai boys topple Nikiski; SoHi scores sweep in Homer

The Kenai boys soccer team defeated Nikiski 13-0 on Tuesday in Peninsula Conference action at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School. The Kardinals… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Diego Huerta heads the ball in front of Nikiski defender Jayden Anderson and goalie Emily Brannen on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Vice Mayor Henry Knackstedt and Kenai City Council member Sovala Kisena share thoughts on Kenai’s parks and recreation facilities and programs during the kickoff for a development of a parks and recreation master plan in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai begins community conversation about parks and recreation master plan

The city is undertaking a yearlong process to create a guiding document for the next 20 years of outdoors and recreation development in the city.

Kenai Vice Mayor Henry Knackstedt and Kenai City Council member Sovala Kisena share thoughts on Kenai’s parks and recreation facilities and programs during the kickoff for a development of a parks and recreation master plan in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers (file photo).

2 dead, 1 hospitalized in Nanwalek plane crash

The crash occurred near the airport Monday afternoon.

Alaska State Troopers (file photo).
Kenai's Central's Jacob Joanis and Braden Smith celebrate a victory over Soldotna on Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Soldotna Little League fields in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Monday: Smith pitches Kenai Central baseball past Soldotna

The Kenai Central baseball team defeated Soldotna 4-3 on Monday in Northern Lights Conference action at the Soldotna Little League fields in Soldotna. The Kardinals… Continue reading

Kenai's Central's Jacob Joanis and Braden Smith celebrate a victory over Soldotna on Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Soldotna Little League fields in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
State Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage) reviews an amendment on an education bill with other senators during a break in floor debate Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Update: Effort to rush compromise education bill through Legislature hits snag due to ‘drafting error’

Bill returned to Senate, which passed it 19-1, to fix error in amendment; House vote expected by Wednesday

State Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage) reviews an amendment on an education bill with other senators during a break in floor debate Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai man pleads guilty to 2019 sexual assault

The man was arrested Dec. 4, 2019, after a person reported several injuries at a local hospital.

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Economist and research analyst Andy Wink presents “State of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Economy” during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District Industry Outlook Forum in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPEDD forum focuses on borough economy, vision for future

Where most economic indicators suggest fairly good health, housing appears to be a cause for concern, according to an economist presenting at forum.

Economist and research analyst Andy Wink presents “State of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Economy” during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District Industry Outlook Forum in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Member Tom Tougas speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Tourism working group gets 2-month extension

In a 3-3 vote, the working group had earlier this month rejected a draft document with proposed recommendations.

Member Tom Tougas speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Track: SoHi girls, boys sweep meets in Kodiak; Homer girls, boys take 2nd at Wasilla Invite

The Soldotna and Seward track and field teams traveled to Seward for meets Friday and Saturday. Friday, the teams competed in the Kodiak Invitational. Kodiak… Continue reading

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Kenai Central's Enrique Mercado and Carter Felchle battle with Soldotna's Trae Pitsch for the ball Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Saturday soccer: Ketchikan boys, Wasilla girls win soccer tourneys

The Ketchikan boys won the Kenai Invitational Cup and the Wasilla girls won the Homer Soccer Tourney to headline soccer action Saturday on the Kenai… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Enrique Mercado and Carter Felchle battle with Soldotna's Trae Pitsch for the ball Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central's Gabe Joanis beats the tag of Homer's Henry Wedvik on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Kenai Little League fields in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Friday baseball: Kenai tops Homer; SoHi beats Colony

The Kenai Central baseball team defeated Homer 12-8 on Friday in nonconference action at the Kenai Little League fields in Kenai. The Mariners fall to… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Gabe Joanis beats the tag of Homer's Henry Wedvik on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Kenai Little League fields in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)