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Kate Rich’s play, “The Most Comfortable Couch in Town,” is performed during “Stranded: A Ten-Minute Play Festival” in August 2025 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Jennifer Norton

Homer playwright receives fellowship award

Kate Rich is revising a new play, which she hopes to take to the Valdez Theatre Conference Play Lab.

Kate Rich’s play, “The Most Comfortable Couch in Town,” is performed during “Stranded: A Ten-Minute Play Festival” in August 2025 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Jennifer Norton
A BUMPS bus waits for passengers in the Walmart parking lot in Kenai, Alaska, on Oct. 15, 2018. (File photo)
A BUMPS bus waits for passengers in the Walmart parking lot in Kenai, Alaska, on Oct. 15, 2018. (File photo)
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Alaskans deserve a real voice in decisions about public land

Like many Alaskans, I was caught off guard when meetings were announced about the idea of creating a state forest on the Kenai Peninsula. Since… Continue reading

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This yellow split pea curry is mild and rich with coconut milk and spices and makes a complete meal when paired with steamed rice. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Food to fuel growing minds

This yellow split pea curry, paired with steamed rice, is a complete meal and the perfect fuel for any kind of marathon.

This yellow split pea curry is mild and rich with coconut milk and spices and makes a complete meal when paired with steamed rice. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
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Minister’s Message: God’s gift to us

Another Christmas in the bag. Another round of wrapped boxes deconstructed. Another season saturated in the story of a baby born in a manger all… Continue reading

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Prof. C.C. Georgeson, circa 1910s, inspects an apple tree on one of his Alaska agricultural experiment stations. (Image from the Rasmuson Library historical archives at the University of Alaska Fairbanks)

The experiment: Kenai becomes an agricultural test site — Part 5

AUTHOR’S NOTE: A presidential executive order in January 1899 had set aside 320 acres of land near Russian Orthodox Church property in the village of… Continue reading

Prof. C.C. Georgeson, circa 1910s, inspects an apple tree on one of his Alaska agricultural experiment stations. (Image from the Rasmuson Library historical archives at the University of Alaska Fairbanks)
Community members enjoy skating at Kevin Bell Arena during the Christmas Eve community free skate on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Out of the Office: A metaphor on ice

I went ice skating for the first time in years last week, during the annual community Christmas Eve skate at Kevin Bell Arena. The last… Continue reading

Community members enjoy skating at Kevin Bell Arena during the Christmas Eve community free skate on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
In his 1903 report to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Prof. Charles Christian Georgeson included this photograph of efforts to break recently cleared ground at Kenai’s agricultural experiment station. The man behind the bull was either station superintendent Hans P. Nielsen or his assistant Pontus H. Ross.

The experiment: Kenai becomes an agricultural test site — Part 4

AUTHOR’S NOTE: A presidential executive order in January 1899 had set aside 320 acres of land near Russian Orthodox Church property in the village of… Continue reading

In his 1903 report to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Prof. Charles Christian Georgeson included this photograph of efforts to break recently cleared ground at Kenai’s agricultural experiment station. The man behind the bull was either station superintendent Hans P. Nielsen or his assistant Pontus H. Ross.
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Minister’s Message: Love born to endure

I spend time with people in the final chapters of their lives. In those moments, people speak with remarkable clarity about the things that matter… Continue reading

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This recipe makes a boatload of soft and delicious cookies, perfect for sharing at Christmastime. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Christmas cookies for a shared tradition

These cookies are so soft and delicious, it’s no wonder they’re part of a family Christmas tradition.

This recipe makes a boatload of soft and delicious cookies, perfect for sharing at Christmastime. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Commercial fishing and recreational vessels are docked in the Homer harbor on Oct. 23, 2025. The commercial fishing industry endured a series of challenges over the year, some of them imposed by the new Trump administration. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska fisheries in 2025: turmoil, economic and environmental challenges and some bright spots

NOAA cuts, economic headwinds and invasive species pose problems, but there was some recovery in crab stocks and salmon harvests.

Commercial fishing and recreational vessels are docked in the Homer harbor on Oct. 23, 2025. The commercial fishing industry endured a series of challenges over the year, some of them imposed by the new Trump administration. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Cook Inlet near Clam Gulch is seen on Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Disputed oil lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet upheld in new Trump administration decision

After completing a court-ordered environmental study, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said no changes are needed for the 2022 sale that drew just one bid.

Cook Inlet near Clam Gulch is seen on Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Daniel Craig (right), returning as Benoit Blanc, and Josh O'Connor are seen in this still from "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," released on Netflix on Dec. 12, 2025. (Promotional photo courtesy Netflix)

On the Screen: ‘Knives Out 3’ truly a film for our times

I often feel the need to watch a film twice. The first go-around, I’m just trying to keep up with the plot, as one does,… Continue reading

Daniel Craig (right), returning as Benoit Blanc, and Josh O'Connor are seen in this still from "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," released on Netflix on Dec. 12, 2025. (Promotional photo courtesy Netflix)
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Minister’s Message: Traditions should be things that support us

Regardless of how you find yourself this season, know that you’re not alone.

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Photo from the Alaska State Library historical collection
In Kenai, circa 1903, this trio was photographed on a well-used trail. Pictured are George S. Mearns, future Kenai postmaster; Kate R. Gompertz, Kenai resident; Hans P. Nielsen, superintendent of Kenai’s agricultural experiment station.

The experiment: Kenai becomes an agricultural test site — Part 3

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Presidential Executive Order #148, in January 1899, had set aside 320 acres of land near Russian Orthodox Church property in the village of… Continue reading

Photo from the Alaska State Library historical collection
In Kenai, circa 1903, this trio was photographed on a well-used trail. Pictured are George S. Mearns, future Kenai postmaster; Kate R. Gompertz, Kenai resident; Hans P. Nielsen, superintendent of Kenai’s agricultural experiment station.
Orange zest and extract bring this literary-inspired treat to life. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Whimsy and magic

This literary-inspired treat is perfect for Christmastime festivities.

Orange zest and extract bring this literary-inspired treat to life. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Seward’s Atlin Ryan wrestles against a Mountain City Christian Academy athlete during the regional Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Homer girls wrestling team named regional champions

Kenai boys, girls both placed third overall in the Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday.

Seward’s Atlin Ryan wrestles against a Mountain City Christian Academy athlete during the regional Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer and Soldotna hockey players battle for the puck during the Carlin Cup home varsity game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

SoHi hockey claims 3rd Carlin Cup victory

The Soldotna varsity hockey team defeated Homer 9-1 Saturday at Kevin Bell Arena.

Homer and Soldotna hockey players battle for the puck during the Carlin Cup home varsity game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The KBBI Public Radio office and studio is on Kachemak Way, as seen in this photo taken July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Peninsula radio receives ‘stabilization’ funds from national nonprofit

The Public Media Bridge Fund awarded an “initial” round of stabilization grants equaling $26 million to 74 organizations nationwide impacted by the loss of federal funding.

The KBBI Public Radio office and studio is on Kachemak Way, as seen in this photo taken July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)