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)

Emergency alerts, Gavel Alaska under threat as Trump seeks to nix public broadcasting funds, officials say

“Alaska is going to be a very tough spot if the federal funding goes away,” PBS CEO Paula Kerger says.

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)
Kenai City Council member Phil Daniel speaks during a joint work session of the Kenai City Council and Kenaitze Tribal Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai OKs formal agreements with Kenaitze, Salamatof tribes

The agreements create a foundation for ongoing collaboration between the city and tribes.

Kenai City Council member Phil Daniel speaks during a joint work session of the Kenai City Council and Kenaitze Tribal Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Aleutian Airways staff fill the desk during their first day of service at Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Aleutian Airways begins Kenai-Anchorage service

The first plane arrived at the Kenai Municipal Airport around 7 a.m. on Friday.

Aleutian Airways staff fill the desk during their first day of service at Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/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)

Bjorkman reports back on legislative session

Highlights included education funding, budget woes and bills on insurance regulations, fishing.

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)
Kenai City Hall is seen on a sunny Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai approves annual budget

The city expects to generate around $74.7 million in revenue next year while spending $85.7 million.

Kenai City Hall is seen on a sunny Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer Public Library. File photo

Alaska libraries may see federal funding restored

Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums department notified Alaska libraries on June 3 that grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services may soon be awarded.

The Homer Public Library. File photo
Lisa James holds up a book containing Nikolavesk History in the Nikolavesk School on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Nikolavesk, Alaska. She said the book, along with trophies, photographs, and other school items will be boxed up and relocated to Homer Middle School upon Nikolavesk School’s closing on June 30. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Nikolaevsk School prepares for June 30 closure

The school serves a primarily Russian Old Believer community located about 19 miles outside of Homer.

Lisa James holds up a book containing Nikolavesk History in the Nikolavesk School on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Nikolavesk, Alaska. She said the book, along with trophies, photographs, and other school items will be boxed up and relocated to Homer Middle School upon Nikolavesk School’s closing on June 30. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A harbor seal pup found May 31, 2025, on a beach in Homer, Alaska, is photographed after being taken into custody by Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program. (Photo courtesy of Kaiti Grant, Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center rescues 3 seal pups, including female found on Homer beach

The recent rescues come after the discovery and recovery of a premature harbor seal pup and an orphaned northern sea otter pup earlier this spring.

A harbor seal pup found May 31, 2025, on a beach in Homer, Alaska, is photographed after being taken into custody by Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program. (Photo courtesy of Kaiti Grant, Alaska SeaLife Center)
Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser watches Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, discuss the federal disparity test for education funding provided by states during a Senate Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

State education board delays decision limiting local funding for schools

DEED blames local contributions for failure of disparity test — testimonies point the finger back.

Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser watches Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, discuss the federal disparity test for education funding provided by states during a Senate Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis is shown here underway, June 3, 2025, from Pascagoula, Mississippi. The Storis is the Coast Guard’s first new polar icebreaker acquisition in 25 years and will expand U.S. operational presence in the Arctic Ocean. (Photo courtesy of Edison Chouest Offshore)

Coast Guard icebreaker Storis begins maiden voyage, scheduled to be commissioned in Juneau in August

Ship will initially be homeported Seattle until infrastructure upgrades in Juneau are complete.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis is shown here underway, June 3, 2025, from Pascagoula, Mississippi. The Storis is the Coast Guard’s first new polar icebreaker acquisition in 25 years and will expand U.S. operational presence in the Arctic Ocean. (Photo courtesy of Edison Chouest Offshore)
Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Detention of Soldotna restaurant owner violates his rights, lawyer says

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon is facing federal charges for accusations that he is in the U.S. illegally.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Project Manager Jason Graf points to a map while answering questions from attendees on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Open House at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna delays riverfront rezoning measures

The two ordinances being considered would establish a new “Riverfront Mixed-Use District.”

Project Manager Jason Graf points to a map while answering questions from attendees on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Open House at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow blankets Homer City Hall on April 10, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Homer halts pursuit of building code

The decision was finalized after a federal grant application to adopt the 2021 International Building Code was canceled.

Snow blankets Homer City Hall on April 10, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
John Krohn, general manager at KBBI AM 890, prepares to go on the air on Friday, May 30, 2025, in the Gary Thomas Studio at the KBBI station in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

‘We’ve never felt a threat like this before’

Federal cuts to public broadcasting funding could devastate Alaska public radio stations, including on the Kenai Peninsula.

John Krohn, general manager at KBBI AM 890, prepares to go on the air on Friday, May 30, 2025, in the Gary Thomas Studio at the KBBI station in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Change of plea hearing for man accused of shooting at Homer clinic reset for July

Josiah Kelly is accused of shooting at buildings used by Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic and Kachemak Bay Recovery Connection.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to Anchor Point residents during a community meeting held at the Virl “Pa” Haga VFW Post 10221 on Friday, May 30, in Anchor Point. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Sullivan visits Homer during weeklong Alaska tour

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, sat down for an interview with Homer News.

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to Anchor Point residents during a community meeting held at the Virl “Pa” Haga VFW Post 10221 on Friday, May 30, in Anchor Point. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Jets from the U.S. Air Force’s 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing are staged at Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, as part of Exercise Tropic Tundra on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Air Force jets launch from Kenai airport as part of weeklong training exercise

The jets are part of U.S. Air Force’s 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing’s Exercise Tropic Tundra.

Jets from the U.S. Air Force’s 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing are staged at Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, as part of Exercise Tropic Tundra on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD facing ‘paralyzing’ financial uncertainty

The district is waiting both to see how the governor will exercise his veto rights and for the borough to finalize its contribution.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough Assembly approves new ‘Land Affordability Program’

The program will help qualifying buyers purchase borough land at 25% discount.

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)