Anchorage cyclist Ana Jager has gone from Alaska kid on bikes to elite endurance rider — including a win at the 2,700-mile Tour Divide. Now she’s paying it forward, helping run Anchorage GRIT to give middle school kids access to bikes, adventure and self-confidence.

The U.S. House won’t vote to extend ACA insurance subsidies, after Speaker Mike Johnson blocked it — all but guaranteeing huge premium hikes for ~29,000 Alaskans on the marketplace.

Skipping the usual press conference, Gov. Dunleavy rolled out a final-year budget that’s mostly status quo — and wildly unrealistic. A $3,650 PFD, a $1.8B deficit, no new revenue and no real plan. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/12/17/d...

Pandemic shutdowns reignited Alicia Lespin’s love of music. The Anchorage esthetician, singer and drag artist went from singing along at Middle Way Cafe to fronting a band, blending jazz, drag and global influences. Read more about her in this week's Creative Currents.

From Dermot Cole: Peterson, 44, endorsed by Sen. Dan Sullivan’s hand-picked selection committee and championed by Sullivan, refused to give a direct answer to the question of whether Trump lost the 2020 election. The correct answer is yes. Trump lost.

Hidden in a must-pass funding bill: the beginning of the end for “Temu weed.” Intoxicating hemp products that dodged cannabis rules will be banned nationwide in 2026. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/12/15/f...

From doodling and DIY cardboard dolls to apprenticing at Anchorage’s women-run tattoo collective The Coven, artist Lou Donnellan is honing her craft in realism and fine-line work — and finding inspiration in a community of supportive, skilled tattooers. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/12/02/c...

From boiling berries into pigment to hosting virtual exhibitions, Fairbanks artist Alyssa Quintyne is creating art that’s both experimental and accessible. Read more about their work in this week's Creative Currents column. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/25/c...

The hope is that the fund will address longstanding problems with health care access and affordability in rural areas. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/24/l...

Dead Horse Donuts is Palmer’s newest scratch-made spot, and our Current Cravings columnist says it’s a must-try for donut lovers. Read her full review at the link in our bio.

Mentorship, snow and heritage guide 20-year-old Jossline Jackson as she navigates Alaska’s mountains — and her own path in snow science. Learn more in this week's Trail Blazers column.

In this week's Great Indoors column: Battlefield 6 brings bigger battles, smarter gameplay all the chaos you remember — leveled up. 🎮 thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/20/b...

The expiration of the enhanced insurance subsidies will more than double insurance premiums for many of the nearly 29,000 Alaskans who rely on marketplace coverage. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/19/m...

OPINION: Trump’s pardons aren’t about justice — they’re empowering drug traffickers. As Alaska sees fentanyl deaths soar, leaders like Nick Begich and Dan Sullivan stay silent while Trump pardons dark-web dealers like Ross Ulbricht. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/19/l...

Alaska’s teacher pay looks high… until you factor in cost of living. Economists say salaries are about 25% below the national average, making recruitment and retention a chronic struggle.

NYT: Anchorage is turning on the spigot for phone voting. Anchorage: We’ve literally been doing versions of this for years — and it’s for a tiny group of deployed/overseas voters. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/14/n...

Wei in Anchorage shows promise — curry xiao long bao and cold noodles shine, but some dishes reveal the challenges of sourcing fresh ingredients in Alaska. Read the rest of our Current Cravings columnists' review here:

Witty Youngman’s new EP ‘Forget-Her-Not’ is out now — a project rooted in stories of survival, healing and community. They’ll perform tomorrow at Williwaw’s Relief for Western Alaska concert. The lineup runs from 2-11 p.m. and is family friendly from 2-6 p.m.

The government shutdown ends, but Alaska’s health subsidies remain in limbo — while GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan could personally collect $1 million under a secretive provision in the bill. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/13/d...

Alaska’s 2026 governor’s race heats up: 14 candidates now in, Democrats Claman and Begich jockey for position, GOP infighting escalates and early polling offers a first glimpse of how the crowded field could shake out. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/13/s...

State funds were supposed to backstop SNAP during the shutdown, but families are still waiting. Dunleavy’s disaster declaration has yet to turn words into action — for many, the real disaster is the leadership. Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.

Multimedia artist and sled dog owner Emily Rosenblatt turns caribou antlers — often found by her pups on tundra hikes — into one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.. Her work blends Alaska’s wild beauty with deep personal meaning. buff.ly/4RooldX

While SNAP funding hangs in limbo, Alaskans held a food drive outside Rep. Nick Begich’s office — slamming GOP leaders for “starving our community” during the nation’s longest shutdown. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/07/g...

Even without popular former Rep. Mary Peltola in the race, a new poll shows Democrat Tom Begich could narrowly win Alaska’s 2026 governor’s race under ranked-choice voting, edging out three leading Republicans. buff.ly/p3iKyjM

Trail Blazers: After moving from South Korea to Alaska, Wongi Kim discovered a love of the outdoors — climbing, biking and fishing. Now, he’s redefining what adventure means and finding joy in slowing down.

Improving Alaska’s public schools isn’t cheap — and educators say there are no quick fixes. Lawmakers on the state’s new education task force heard calls for stable funding, better pay, pensions and smaller classes.

Trump demolishes a part of the White House for a ballroom while the government remains shut down, paychecks are delayed and in many states SNAP cards will only be partially funded — a stark reminder that while some rebuild for vanity, others are left struggling to get by. Illustration by Holly Todd.

What your date order says about you — and how a “Mountain Burrito” became the ultimate test of compatibility: Our Current Cravings columnist on dating through Anchorage’s dining scene.

Mary Peltola hasn’t announced her next move — but new polling suggests she could win almost any statewide race she enters in 2026.

Nearly 70,000 Alaskans could lose SNAP benefits this weekend amid the federal shutdown, just as the state recovers from Typhoon Halong. Advocates warn of strain on food banks and call for community support.

Alaska Supreme Court hears case on doctor-only abortion law. Since 2021, advanced nurse practitioners, midwives and PAs have been able to provide care. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/10/31/s...

While politicians bicker, families go hungry. Murkowski tried to fund SNAP during the shutdown — Sullivan voted no. Meanwhile, kids are left with only tricks, no treats. Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.

Turning CBD into THC? A new “innovation” has Alaska’s cannabis regulators scrambling — and one company facing fines, product destruction and industry backlash.

"We should withhold the hosannas until we see if FEMA delivers," writes Dermot Cole.

Anglers who bought a 2025 Alaska sport fishing license may soon get the annual Alaska Sport Fishing Survey. The survey helps ADF&G track fishing activity statewide and has been conducted every year since 1977.

Boaters, take note: The float at Jakolof Bay Dock is being decommissioned this week, though the approach will stay open for access. Seldovia says to steer clear of the area during removal (Oct. 22–23) and avoid tying to exposed pilings. Full dock replacement expected in 2026.

Queso for a cause! 🌮 This week, Anchorage Restaurant Week features 51 local spots giving back to the Food Bank of Alaska. From Serrano’s donating $2 per queso to special prefix menus, every bite helps fight hunger in Alaska.

Think horror games are all jump scares? Not these. Matt Buxton's bi-weekly column The Great Indoors dives into multiplayer “horror” games that are more goofy chaos than terror. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/10/23/t...

Nearly 70,000 Alaskans could lose food assistance next month as the federal shutdown drags on — about 1 in 11 residents.

Homer Mayor Rachel Lord says recent high tides caused new erosion along the Spit Road, including sand loss and damage to infrastructure. ADOT has assigned a project manager to develop long-term coastal protections using $1.5 million in state funds.

The City of Homer has a new fire chief. The City Council approved the hiring of Daniel Jager, who’s spent over 20 years as fire marshal in Juneau. Jager replaces former chief Mark Kirko, who retired in July following community concerns about volunteer turnover at HVFD. buff.ly/qD1tEXM

Anchorage Rev. Matt Schultz — a progressive pastor known for warning against Christian nationalism — announced he’s running for Congress against GOP Rep. Nick Begich. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/10/20/a...

The Alaska Federation of Natives convention opened this week as more than 1,500 people displaced by Typhoon Halong remain far from home. In a powerful keynote, ANTHC CEO Natasha Singh urged action and honesty: “Our children deserve better... ” buff.ly/YJXuQlu

The City of Seldovia says its drinking water didn’t meet treatment standards in August due to high turbidity levels — which can indicate reduced filtration. Officials say it’s not an emergency and there’s no known contamination, but they’re monitoring chlorine levels closely.

As Juneau’s cruise season ends, Southeast Alaska residents are calling for cleaner waters. At a recent Clean Water Town Hall, speakers urged a ban on heavy fuel oil — a toxic cruise ship pollutant harming marine life, seafood and human health.

From Maine’s sledding hills to Alaska’s backcountry, snowboarder Bryce Barnes has carved a path defined by passion, perseverance and purpose. Now based in Southcentral Alaska, he’s pushing for greater representation in snow sports — and having fun doing it. buff.ly/gskzX2s

Homer’s City Council election results are now certified — after officials discovered 222 properly secured ballots that hadn’t been counted in the initial canvass. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/10/15/h...

The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that the Republican Governors Association must finally answer state campaign finance regulators’ questions about its role in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s 2022 re-election. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/10/14/a...

Uncle Herb’s plans to open a pot-friendly coffee shop in early 2026 — the first public place in the city where consuming THC edibles and drinks will be legal.

In races for Fairbanks Mayor, Fairbanks City Council, Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board, progressives won all but one of the contested races, according to preliminary results.