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Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
State Rep. Cliff Groh, D-Anchorage, testifies about his proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Permanent Fund earnings are allocated during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting Saturday morning at the Alaska State Capitol. The committee spent two hours taking testimony almost entirely by phone from residents statewide about five proposals related to the Permanent Fund and dividends, which continued the long historical pattern of strongly divided feelings about how much money to use for dividends vs. state government programs.

PFD proposals discussed at weekend hearing

The hearing addressed five specific legislative proposals

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
State Rep. Cliff Groh, D-Anchorage, testifies about his proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Permanent Fund earnings are allocated during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting Saturday morning at the Alaska State Capitol. The committee spent two hours taking testimony almost entirely by phone from residents statewide about five proposals related to the Permanent Fund and dividends, which continued the long historical pattern of strongly divided feelings about how much money to use for dividends vs. state government programs.
Defending champion Brent Sass, wearing bib No. 14, waves to the crowd during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race’s ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Sass withdrew from this year’s race, Saturday, March 11, 2023, citing concerns for his health. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Defending champion leaves Iditarod race over health concerns

The Iditarod said all 11 dogs on Sass’ team were in good health

Defending champion Brent Sass, wearing bib No. 14, waves to the crowd during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race’s ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Sass withdrew from this year’s race, Saturday, March 11, 2023, citing concerns for his health. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
President Joe Biden waves before boarding Air Force One for a trip to San Diego to meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Monday, March 13, 2023, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden OKs Willow project, draws ire of environmentalists

The announcement came a day after the administration said it would bar or limit drilling in some other areas of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean

President Joe Biden waves before boarding Air Force One for a trip to San Diego to meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Monday, March 13, 2023, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
ConocoPhillips via AP, File
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope.

Willow approval expected next week, Bloomberg and CNN reports

The project will allow ConocoPhillips to drill at three locations

ConocoPhillips via AP, File
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope.
Volunteers sit at rows of tables or in curtained off booths during Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Most 2023 Project Homeless Connect participants were 1st-time attendees

Nearly 100 people participated in this year’s event

Volunteers sit at rows of tables or in curtained off booths during Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council members and Soldotna Planning and Zoning commissioners meet for a joint work session on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna considers new commercial zoning district for downtown corridor

The zone would prioritize walkability, ‘visually pleasing’ aesthetics

Soldotna City Council members and Soldotna Planning and Zoning commissioners meet for a joint work session on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey shows the east flank of Takawangha Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on June 10, 2021. Not one but two volcanoes on the same island in Alaska are showing signs of unrest. A swarm of earthquakes occurring since late February 2023 has intensified, a possible indication of an impending eruption. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey via AP)

Quake swarms at neighboring Alaska volcanoes raise concerns

Elevated earthquake activity was reported at both Tanaga and Takawangha volcanoes

This photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey shows the east flank of Takawangha Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on June 10, 2021. Not one but two volcanoes on the same island in Alaska are showing signs of unrest. A swarm of earthquakes occurring since late February 2023 has intensified, a possible indication of an impending eruption. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey via AP)
Glen Trombley, a Kenai River personal use guide, testifies to the Alaska Board of Fisheries during the 2023 Statewide Finfish Meeting on March 10, 2023 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska. (Screenshot)

Locals weigh in on proposals at fisheries board meeting

Several anglers from the Kenai Peninsula testified against Proposals 163-167

Glen Trombley, a Kenai River personal use guide, testifies to the Alaska Board of Fisheries during the 2023 Statewide Finfish Meeting on March 10, 2023 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska. (Screenshot)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File
The sun beams down on a clock and nearby melting snow. A bill that calls for Alaska to choose to remain in Daylight Saving Time for the entirety of the year and say farewell to the switch to Standard Time has been reintroduced to the Alaska Legislature this session.

Alaska lawmakers push to make daylight saving permanent

A bill calls for Alaska to choose to remain in daylight saving time for the entirety of the year

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File
The sun beams down on a clock and nearby melting snow. A bill that calls for Alaska to choose to remain in Daylight Saving Time for the entirety of the year and say farewell to the switch to Standard Time has been reintroduced to the Alaska Legislature this session.
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

6 vying for seats on HEA Board of Directors

The board is composed of nine directors elected from three voting districts

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Susan Smalley (right) testifies before the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. Smalley, who attended the 2022 Pride in the Park event questioned what would and would not be considered inappropriate under the proposed legislation. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna delays action on lewdness, park legislation

The trio of ordinances is the product of months of work by city administrators to review city code

Susan Smalley (right) testifies before the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. Smalley, who attended the 2022 Pride in the Park event questioned what would and would not be considered inappropriate under the proposed legislation. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The lead dogs for musher Bailey Vitello of Milan, New Hampshire, run down Fourth Avenue during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race’s ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Heat takes toll as Iditarod mushers trek across Alaska

Many communities in the nation’s largest state hit record highs this week,

The lead dogs for musher Bailey Vitello of Milan, New Hampshire, run down Fourth Avenue during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race’s ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna awards $3,000 in grants to community groups

The city’s mini grant program distributes $4,000 in grants annually

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

YouTube videos lead to citations for wintertime coho fishing

All three were cited for removing silver salmon from the water

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Food Bank holding ‘matching’ fundraisers in March

Each donation in March will be matched until the food bank can meet its goal

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow collects in a lot near the Aspen Hotel on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The lot is the site of a planned parking lot by the City of Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna OKs downtown parking lot contract

Efforts to boost parking capacity in Soldotna come as the city looks to create a new “main street” parallel to the Kenai River

Snow collects in a lot near the Aspen Hotel on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The lot is the site of a planned parking lot by the City of Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Elementary students check out with their books on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Building ‘personal libraries’

Soldotna Elementary students take home reading from River City Books

Soldotna Elementary students check out with their books on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Kenai refuge accepting applications for black bear baiting

Baiting areas can be chosen — and permits issued — in the order they are drawn

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)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.
Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska’s North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change.

TikTok push targets Biden on Willow oil plan

The .StopWillow campaign has garnered more than 50 million views and counting

  • Mar 8, 2023
  • By Mark Thiessen, Isabella O’malley and Natalia Gutierrez Associated Press
  • oil and gasState News
Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska’s North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change.