Vendors fill the floor of the 38th Annual Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec & Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Annual Sport, Rec and Trade Show offers outfitting for adventure

The expo runs through Sunday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.

Vendors fill the floor of the 38th Annual Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec & Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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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(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, April 29, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Monday, April 28, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
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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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A veterinarian with Greater Good Charities escorts dog Maggie into a free spay/neuter clinic at the Moose Pass Fire Station in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Free spay and neuter clinic coming to Soldotna this month

The upcoming clinics will be held May 29-June 1 at Redoubt Elementary School in Soldotna.

A veterinarian with Greater Good Charities escorts dog Maggie into a free spay/neuter clinic at the Moose Pass Fire Station in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (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 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).
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)
Various electronics await to be collected and recycled during an electronics recycling event in Seldovia. (Photo courtesy of Cook Inletkeeper)

Cook Inletkeeper celebrates 20 years of electronics recycling

More than 646,000 pounds of electronic waste has been diverted from local landfills.

Various electronics await to be collected and recycled during an electronics recycling event in Seldovia. (Photo courtesy of Cook Inletkeeper)
Liz Harpold, a staff member for Sen. Donny Olson (D-Golovin)​, explains changes to a bill increasing per-student education funding and making various policy changes during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Revised education bill with $700 BSA hike gets new policy measures, advances to Senate floor

Changes easing charter school rules, adding new district evaluations fall short of governor’s agenda.

Liz Harpold, a staff member for Sen. Donny Olson (D-Golovin)​, explains changes to a bill increasing per-student education funding and making various policy changes during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Students of Sterling Elementary School carry a sign in support of their school during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

District adopts budget with severe cuts, school closures

The preliminary budget assumes a $680 increase in per-student funding from the state.

Students of Sterling Elementary School carry a sign in support of their school during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)