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This June 14, 2019 file photo shows Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy leading state and local officials out of Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, to a news conference. State lawmakers have rejected Dunleavy’s suggested location for a special session. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon and Senate President Cathy Giessel issued a joint statement Monday, June 24, 2019 saying they will convene July 8 in Juneau and hold most hearings in Anchorage. Dunleavy had called the session for Wasilla, his hometown and conservative base.(AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Wasilla or Juneau? Disagreement over special session locale

Lawmakers commit to different cities

  • Jul 6, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
This June 14, 2019 file photo shows Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy leading state and local officials out of Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, to a news conference. State lawmakers have rejected Dunleavy’s suggested location for a special session. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon and Senate President Cathy Giessel issued a joint statement Monday, June 24, 2019 saying they will convene July 8 in Juneau and hold most hearings in Anchorage. Dunleavy had called the session for Wasilla, his hometown and conservative base.(AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
This June 14 photo shows a Wasilla sign on the outskirts of Wasilla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Where will your lawmaker be Monday morning?

Local lawmakers are divided on where to go

This June 14 photo shows a Wasilla sign on the outskirts of Wasilla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
People with their dogs swarm to DeLong Lake hoping to stay cool in the record breaking heat in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, July 5, 2019. Alaskans who routinely pack knit caps and fleece jackets in summer on Friday were swapping them for sunscreen and parasols amid a prolonged heatwave. Residents of Anchorage and other south-central cities completed a fifth week of above-normal temperatures, including a record high 90 degrees (32.22 Celsius) on Thursday, July 4, in the state’s largest city. (Anne Raup/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Residents put away jackets, get out sunscreen amid heat wave

The temperature Thursday in Anchorage hit 90 degrees at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

  • Jul 6, 2019
  • By Dan Joling Associated Press
People with their dogs swarm to DeLong Lake hoping to stay cool in the record breaking heat in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, July 5, 2019. Alaskans who routinely pack knit caps and fleece jackets in summer on Friday were swapping them for sunscreen and parasols amid a prolonged heatwave. Residents of Anchorage and other south-central cities completed a fifth week of above-normal temperatures, including a record high 90 degrees (32.22 Celsius) on Thursday, July 4, in the state’s largest city. (Anne Raup/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Brandon Gustafson takes a selfie with third graders from the elementary school in San Cosme Y Damián, Itapuá District, Paraguay after teaching them about water contamination in this undated photo. (Courtesy Brandon Gustafson)

Making a difference abroad

Peace Corps volunteer from Kenai inspired by hometown to fight climate change in Paraguay.

Brandon Gustafson takes a selfie with third graders from the elementary school in San Cosme Y Damián, Itapuá District, Paraguay after teaching them about water contamination in this undated photo. (Courtesy Brandon Gustafson)
A map of the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai Peninsula as of July 6, 2019. (Courtesy Northwest 13 Incident Management Team)

Heat, dry conditions fuel Swan Lake Fire

The fire reached 92,657 acres Saturday

A map of the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai Peninsula as of July 6, 2019. (Courtesy Northwest 13 Incident Management Team)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from the East Fork Moose River bridge on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo courtesy Robert Kuiper)

Dense smoke advisory in effect for interior Kenai Peninsula

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire will reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less at times

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from the East Fork Moose River bridge on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo courtesy Robert Kuiper)
The east entrance of the Upper Kenai River Trail is photographed on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Some campgrounds, trails reopened near Skilak

Hidden Lake Campground and the recreational trails accessed along Skilak Lake Road opened Thursday.

The east entrance of the Upper Kenai River Trail is photographed on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen on the Sterling Highway near the Mystery Hills Thursday, July 4, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Swan Lake Fire continues to spread with no rain in sight

A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at Cooper Landing Elementary School.

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen on the Sterling Highway near the Mystery Hills Thursday, July 4, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The KBBI Public Radio office and studio is on Kachemak Way, as seen in this photo taken July 2m 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Local stations grapple with cuts to public media funding

Dunleavy eliminated $2.7 million in state funding for public broadcasting.

The KBBI Public Radio office and studio is on Kachemak Way, as seen in this photo taken July 2m 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough approves resolution in favor of Funny River boat launch

A majority of the speakers were in support of the initiative, which came from Mayor Charlie Pierce.

The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Reagan Reed poses with an American flag at the Kenai Park Strip during the July 4th parade in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating America, the Alaska way

Residents brave soaring temperatures at July 4th Parade in Kenai

Reagan Reed poses with an American flag at the Kenai Park Strip during the July 4th parade in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Larsen brings love of forest, trees to life in July exhibit

Larsen brings love of forest, trees to life in July exhibit

Exhibit features a collection of sculptures, acrylic painting, quilted fabric and table art

Larsen brings love of forest, trees to life in July exhibit
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his budget vetoes at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska Friday, June 28, 2019. The university system, health and social service programs and public broadcasting were among the areas affected by vetoes. The budget agreed to by the House and Senate cut state support for the university system by a fraction of what Dunleavy proposed. Lawmakers have the ability to override budget vetoes if they can muster sufficient support. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Budget vetoes fallout may hit close to home

Dunleavy’s vetoes will affect everything from schools to local radio

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his budget vetoes at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska Friday, June 28, 2019. The university system, health and social service programs and public broadcasting were among the areas affected by vetoes. The budget agreed to by the House and Senate cut state support for the university system by a fraction of what Dunleavy proposed. Lawmakers have the ability to override budget vetoes if they can muster sufficient support. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from the East Fork Moose River bridge on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo courtesy Robert Kuiper)

Third Swan Lake Fire community meeting scheduled for Friday in Cooper Landing

After nearly a month, the Swan Lake Fire continues to burn through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge east of Sterling. A community meeting has been… Continue reading

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from the East Fork Moose River bridge on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo courtesy Robert Kuiper)
A field of peonies stand ready for harvest on June 30, 2019, at Michelle Hatten’s Stone Circle Peonies in Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Sydney Leto)

Farmers concerned about heat, lack of rain

Homer received 0.16 inches of rain in June, compared to a measured 2.53 inches of rain in June 2018.

  • Jul 3, 2019
  • By Sydney Leto For the Homer News
  • Local News
A field of peonies stand ready for harvest on June 30, 2019, at Michelle Hatten’s Stone Circle Peonies in Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Sydney Leto)
The New Old Time Chautauqua Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band Orchestra marches on the Homer Spit on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The group visited Homer as part of a week-long tour partially funded by the Rasmuson Foundation’s Harper Arts Touring Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts — an example of state-foundation cooperation in arts funding. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Arts groups brace for program cuts, grant losses

‘It’s comparable to one of the jobs here. It’s comparable to an entire program.’

The New Old Time Chautauqua Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band Orchestra marches on the Homer Spit on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The group visited Homer as part of a week-long tour partially funded by the Rasmuson Foundation’s Harper Arts Touring Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts — an example of state-foundation cooperation in arts funding. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

4.7 magnitude earthquake near Kasilof

A preliminary mangitude 4.7 earthquake was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, 3 miles southwest of Kasilof, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Ordinance removing voter approval on sale tax cap increase withdrawn

The cap has been $500 since 1964 when the borough was established.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The crowd listens to the music at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Pamyua to bring blend of musical styles to Soldotna music series

The successful Yup’ik musical group from Anchorage will perform.

The crowd listens to the music at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchoarge, as seen on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Everything is on the table’

Facing $135M budget cut, university contemplates drastic action

Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchoarge, as seen on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)