A tsunami is not expected after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake northwest of Anchorage Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (U.S. Geological Survey)

No tsunami expected after 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Alaska

U.S. Geological Survey says 179 people reported feeling the earthquake.

  • Feb 4, 2026
  • Lauren Collins

 

A young male ringed seal, rescued from an oilfield in Alaska’s Beaufort Sea on Dec. 17, 2025, is receiving care at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center

Sealife center takes in ringed seal

This response is one of only 30 ringed seal cases in the Alaska SeaLife Center’s 28-year history.

 

Macelle Joseph, a member of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé chapter of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, writes “It’s Native blood in the soil, not your oil” outside the Alaska State Capitol building on Jan. 24<ins>, 2026</ins>. Dozens of Juneauites participated in the student-led protest against the LNG pipeline.

Juneau activists speak out against Alaska LNG pipline on Capitol steps

“Alaska’s greatest resources aren’t just buried in the ground,” said protestor Atagan Hood.

Macelle Joseph, a member of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé chapter of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, writes “It’s Native blood in the soil, not your oil” outside the Alaska State Capitol building on Jan. 24<ins>, 2026</ins>. Dozens of Juneauites participated in the student-led protest against the LNG pipeline.
Photo courtesy of Shea Nash
River City Academy teacher Donica Nash is pictured during her history class on Jan. 26.

Civic nonprofit names River City Academy teacher for award

Soldotna’s Donica Nash will use the award money to fund a field trip to Juneau.

Photo courtesy of Shea Nash
River City Academy teacher Donica Nash is pictured during her history class on Jan. 26.
Photo courtesy of Sargeant Truesdell
Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor Peter Micchiche (left) and assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, District 4, Soldotna (right), pose for a photo with the Soldotna High School girls’ wrestling team during an assembly meeting on Jan. 20. The Stars secured SoHi’s first three-peat title during the state championship tournament Dec. 19-20.
Photo courtesy of Sargeant Truesdell
Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor Peter Micchiche (left) and assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, District 4, Soldotna (right), pose for a photo with the Soldotna High School girls’ wrestling team during an assembly meeting on Jan. 20. The Stars secured SoHi’s first three-peat title during the state championship tournament Dec. 19-20.
Cooper Landing Fire and Emergency Medical Services respond to a trailer fire on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, near Mile 38 Seward Highway near Cooper Landing, Alaska. The fire destroyed the trailer carrying U.S. Mail from Anchorage to the Southern Kenai Peninsula. (Photo courtesy of Cooper Landing Fire and EMS)

Assembly asks legislature to increase exemptions for EMS, firefighters

The change would allow municipalities to increase property tax exemptions to “an amount deemed appropriate.”

Cooper Landing Fire and Emergency Medical Services respond to a trailer fire on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, near Mile 38 Seward Highway near Cooper Landing, Alaska. The fire destroyed the trailer carrying U.S. Mail from Anchorage to the Southern Kenai Peninsula. (Photo courtesy of Cooper Landing Fire and EMS)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.

Board of education considers school consolidations

Paul Banks Elementary in Homer and Seward Middle School are currently under consideration for closure in the next academic year.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.
Glenfarne Group CEO and Founder Brendan Duval and Alaska LNG President Adam Prestidge stand in the gallery of the House Chamber during Governor Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State address on Thurday, Jan. 22.

State of the State: Dunleavy reveals snippets of a fiscal plan

Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivered his eighth and final State of the State address Thursday evening.

Glenfarne Group CEO and Founder Brendan Duval and Alaska LNG President Adam Prestidge stand in the gallery of the House Chamber during Governor Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State address on Thurday, Jan. 22.
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.

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.
Volunteers sort winter gear prior to the start of the annual Community Resource Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at the SPARC in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro

Community Resource Connect returns next week

The annual free event will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the SPARC tent in Homer.

Volunteers sort winter gear prior to the start of the annual Community Resource Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at the SPARC in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro
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Former refuge manager speaks on loving the land

Robin West presented his talk, “Looking Back, Looking Forward,” in Soldotna on Tuesday evening.

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Alaska Department of Natural Resources logo (graphic)

State seeks Kenai Peninsula citizen advisory board members

The Department of Natural Resources invites Alaskans to apply for seats in Seward, Kachemak Bay and Kenai.

Alaska Department of Natural Resources logo (graphic)
Juniors who earned honor roll distinction during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year at Soldotna High School were recognized during an assembly in the school’s auditorium on Jan. 14, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades, Soldotna High School
Juniors who earned honor roll distinction during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year at Soldotna High School were recognized during an assembly in the school’s auditorium on Jan. 14, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades, Soldotna High School
Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Change of plea hearing set for Calderwood

A sentencing date and location will be determined at the next hearing on Feb. 5.

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska State Capitol building stands on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol building stands on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
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)
Carts filled with food collected during the Freedom from Hunger community food drive are displayed at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska grocery store supports Kenai Peninsula Food Bank

Three Bears Alaska’s annual ‘Shop with a Purpose’ event raised nearly $112,000 for 14 communities in Alaska and the Lower 48.

Carts filled with food collected during the Freedom from Hunger community food drive are displayed at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna High School varsity football team receives certificates of achievement, presented on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026,  by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (right) and KPB Assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, for winning the Division II State Championship in October 2025. Photo courtesy Joe Rizzo

Assembly commends Kenai, Soldotna teams

The Soldotna High School football team and Kenai Central High School marching band and girls’ volleyball team received recognition for their accomplishments in 2025.

The Soldotna High School varsity football team receives certificates of achievement, presented on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026,  by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (right) and KPB Assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, for winning the Division II State Championship in October 2025. Photo courtesy Joe Rizzo