Front Page
Hilcorp affiliate and Chugach Electric announce proposal to convert facility in Nikiski for LNG imports
The Nikiski gas export facility would be converted to receive imports as soon as 2026, the companies said.
Alaska contractors warn of ‘alarming’ outlook for 2025 road construction season
Construction groups are urging the Legislature to use $300 million from the state treasury to “salvage” the road construction season.
DOGE is feeding sensitive federal data into AI to target cuts
Department of Government Efficiency workers embedded in the Education Department have been processing sensitive agency data using artificial intelligence.
4 people in ICE custody are being held at the Anchorage jail
Last year, the corrections department held 13 people for ICE. So far this year, state jails have held six — the four currently incarcerated and two released to federal agents in late January.
Alaska News
North Slope Borough mayor issues apology after video shows police hauling teen’s body on a sled
The supervising officer who decided to use the sled was fired, the borough mayor’s office said.
Dozens of residents displaced, one injured in two-alarm apartment fire in Anchorage
Fire officials said they also rescued two people trapped by a separate fire at a Midtown car wash.
Four Alaska school districts named in legal challenge over use of public funds to pay for private school tuition
The challenge could have implications for the roughly 23,000 correspondence students in Alaska.
Rescue crews search near Nome for Bering Air plane with 10 aboard
Officials say they lost contact with the Cessna Caravan on Thursday afternoon 12 miles offshore over Norton Sound during a flight from Unalakleet.
Nation/World
The Trump administration plans to lay off all but a fraction of USAID employees, officials say
The plan would leave fewer than 300 staffers on the job. They, along with an unknown number of international staffers abroad, would run the few life-saving programs the administration says it intends to keep for the time being.
13 states to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal data
Government officials and labor unions say DOGE’s involvement with the payment system for the federal government could lead to security risks or missed payments for programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
Hours before decision deadline, judge pauses Trump plan offering incentives for federal workers to resign
The Trump administration gave most of the country’s federal employees just nine full days to decide if they want to resign with pay through the end of September.
The U.S. is freezing and La Nina usually eases warming. Earth just set another heat record anyway
The surprising January heat record coincides with a new study arguing that global warming is accelerating. It’s a claim that’s dividing the research community.
Winter storms bring flooding and ‘thunder ice’ in several US states
In portions of Indiana, southern Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, residents and storm spotters reported seeing “thunder ice” — freezing rain accompanied by flashes of lightning in the unstable air.
Scientists are on alert after some NOAA staff were ordered to stop talking to people overseas
At other branches of NOAA, international contact was facing heavy scrutiny, raising questions about how easily they could carry out work to monitor weather and atmospheric conditions.
Senate confirms Project 2025 architect Russell Vought to lead powerful White House budget office
Vought’s return to the Office of Management and Budget, which he also helmed during Trump’s first term, would put him in a role that holds key power in implementing the president’s goals.
Israel orders military to prepare for ‘voluntary departure’ of Gaza residents
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz cited Spain, Ireland and Norway — governments that have criticized Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza — as places that could take in Palestinians.
Sports
Terrence Titus of Northway channeled his inner Steph Curry to score an Alaska-record 82 points against Buckland
“Even when they started playing more defense, I was still hitting shots everywhere,” the junior guard said.
NBA trade deadline winners and losers: Nobody did better than the Lakers
The Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Doncic was the biggest move of the week, even if plenty of other teams were also able to improve.
Greg Cote’s Super Bowl LIX pick: It’s history vs. revenge in a monumental matchup
This 59th Super Bowl is as close to pick-’em as betting odds get, with two teams so good that either losing will feel a bit like an upset.
Life & Advice
Asking Eric: I’m afraid I’m becoming too dependent on my pets in the wake of my husband’s death
Advice from R. Eric Thomas.