Federal Government

Jan Krehel waves at cars passing by as she holds a "Stand With Minnesota" banner during the "ICE OUT" demonstration on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Homer stands with Minneapolis

Nearly 300 people took part in an “ICE OUT” demonstration on Sunday.

 

Delcenia Cosman / Homer News
Demonstrators gather at WKFL Park in Homer<ins>, Alaska</ins> on Saturday, Jan. 24<ins>, 2026</ins>, for the “No Kings, No ICE” protest organized by the Homer Women of Action.

300 stand for 3rd ‘No Kings’ protest

The rally held Saturday in Homer coincided with demonstrations nationwide protesting the Trump administration and recent ICE shootings.

 

Low clouds hang over Cook Inlet north of Anchor Point on Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Inletkeeper condemns federal management of Cook Inlet oil lease sale

The agency alleges an environmental study by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management was conducted with a “serious” lack of transparency.

 

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)
The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” act requires the Bureau of Ocean Energy management to hold at least six offshore oil and gas lease sales in Alaska between 2026-2028 and 2030-2032. The first of these sales — known as “Big Beautiful Cook Inlet 1,” or BBC1— is scheduled for March 2026. Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” act requires the Bureau of Ocean Energy management to hold at least six offshore oil and gas lease sales in Alaska between 2026-2028 and 2030-2032. The first of these sales — known as “Big Beautiful Cook Inlet 1,” or BBC1— is scheduled for March 2026. Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
A map shows the locations of the 21 Alaska federal offshore oil and gas lease sales proposed by the Trump administration. (Map provided by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management)

Trump administration proposes offshore leasing in almost all Alaska waters

A new five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan proposes 21 sales in Alaska, from the Gulf of Alaska to the High Arctic, and 13 more off the U.S. West Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.

A map shows the locations of the 21 Alaska federal offshore oil and gas lease sales proposed by the Trump administration. (Map provided by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management)
Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Governor’s early Christmas spirit is misplaced

“I told the president, it’s like Christmas every morning,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said at last week’s staged event in Washington, D.C., where the Department of… Continue reading

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Opinion: A place government doesn’t need to stick its nose

I’ve spent much of my career advocating on behalf of Alaska’s small and independent business owners at all levels of government. While this sometimes meant… Continue reading

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Protesters gather along the Sterling Highway and hold up signs during the “No Kings” demonstration on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

700 in Homer join nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest

At least 25 Alaska communities took part in “No Kings” day Saturday, alongside millions of protesters in over 2,600 peaceful demonstrations across the U.S.

Protesters gather along the Sterling Highway and hold up signs during the “No Kings” demonstration on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images via Alaska Beacon)

More than 66,000 Alaskans will lose food stamps within weeks if government shutdown continues

If the federal government shutdown continues, more than 66,000 Alaskans will lose federal food aid within weeks, the state of Alaska is warning. On Monday,… Continue reading

A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images via Alaska Beacon)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks on Oct. 18, 2025, at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage. Behind her is a screen projeting her image as she speaks. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Murkowski says she is trying to restore some resilience funding for Alaska villages

Speaking to AFN, the U.S. senator blasted Trump administration actions halting climate-related work; she and others lamented loss of public broadcasting funding.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks on Oct. 18, 2025, at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage. Behind her is a screen projeting her image as she speaks. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrews conduct overflights of Kipnuk, Alaska, after coastal flooding impacted several western Alaska communities, Oct. 12, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Kodiak)

Trump administration approves disaster declaration for Western Alaska storm

The president also pledged $25 million in immediate disaster relief funding to cover costs as storm damage is still assessed.

U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrews conduct overflights of Kipnuk, Alaska, after coastal flooding impacted several western Alaska communities, Oct. 12, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Kodiak)
The KBBI AM 890 station is located on Kachemak Way in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Peninsula radio reacts to loss of federal funding

Congress last week approved President Trump’s rescission request, zeroing out all federal funding for public broadcasting, effective Oct. 1.

The KBBI AM 890 station is located on Kachemak Way in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
KBNERR Education and Harmful Species Monitoring Program staff host McNeil Canyon Elementary School students at Pier One Beach in May 2025 to monitor for invasive European green crabs. Students assisted with checking traps and recording data of native crab and fish species caught and released. Photo courtesy of Katherine Schake

Proposed funding cuts threaten research reserve

A “pre-decisionary” memo on budgetary cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows no federal funding for National Estuarine Research Reserves.

KBNERR Education and Harmful Species Monitoring Program staff host McNeil Canyon Elementary School students at Pier One Beach in May 2025 to monitor for invasive European green crabs. Students assisted with checking traps and recording data of native crab and fish species caught and released. Photo courtesy of Katherine Schake
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
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)
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)
The Homer Public Library. File photo

In wake of executive order, peninsula libraries, museums brace for funding losses

Trump’s March 14 executive order may dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.”

The Homer Public Library. File photo
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)