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They say when it rains, it pours. This past week, when it snows, it seems to never stop! As I’m writing this, the forecast is for an additional thirteen inches of snow overnight. That’s on top of the approximately twenty-four inches from the last dump on top of the eighteen inches or so from…



That December morning in 1984 dawned clear and crisp in Kitoi Bay, on Afognak Island, Alaska. There were still some crunchy patches of snow covering the ground, but not enough to cause me concern. The snow would help in checking for fresh deer sign and in following a big buck track made some…

What would you say if Jesus showed up at your home? Your work? Your school? Would you be glad to see Him? Perhaps you might be somewhat frightened to be in the presence of the holy and almighty Ruler of all. How would you react if Jesus came personally to you?

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Republican Sarah Palin re-emerged in Alaska politics over a decade after resigning as governor with hopes of winning the state’s U.S. House seat. She had a lot going for her: unbeatable name recognition, the backing of former President Donald Trump in a state he carried…

This November has proved to be an exceptional month for those of us who pay close attention to Anchorage’s winter bugs. (I assume I’m not the only local resident to do so—or am I?)

When I grew up in Gainesville, Florida, I had a friend, Tommy, whose grandfather had lived in Atlanta. Since Tommy and I knew each other in the 60’s and 70’s, I guess his grandpa lived in Atlanta around 1900, or earlier. Tommy once told me that his grandfather shared with him that he had a c…

All three incumbents likely clinched final victory in Alaska’s statewide elections Friday, as the Alaska Division of Elections updated results with thousands of additional absentee, questioned and early ballots from this fall’s general election.

Lots of things going on and I’m not a part of most of them. The monthly Bang ‘n Clang silhouette shoot at the Birchwood shooting range took place this past Nov. 5th. I was planning to go until “life” got in the way, and the weather was a big part of that. The forecast was for cold and windy,…

When guiding early season ice fishing trips, I always like to get out and check conditions, and then when we get a call or someone asks me about ice fishing I can provide them with an up to date report. We recently returned from a trip out of state, however, and Monday and Tuesday of this we…

With the National Day of Thanksgiving approaching, conventional wisdom calls for everyone to be “thankful.” (‘Conventional wisdom,’ however, is not always wise!) People often make lists of blessings as a reminder to give thanks. I have led congregations to make lists during Thanksgiving wors…

Never underestimate how a little spare change can make a big difference. That’s the essence of a humble program that has quietly been making the Mat-Su a better place to live for more than a decade now.Operation Round Up is a community-minded initiative of Matanuska Electric Association, the…

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched his third campaign for the White House just one week after a disappointing midterm showing for Republicans, forcing the party to again decide whether to embrace a candidate whose refusal to accept defeat in 2020 sparke…

Exciting new beginnings — they always come with sad farewells.

I spent 10 days in Japan last month. I was mostly on vacation — great hot springs, the trains run on time and astonishingly fast — but I also met with a few people in Japan’s energy industry.

With snow now covering the Anchorage landscape, temperatures dipping into single digits earlier this month, and daylight dropping below eight hours, my thoughts have turned toward the wild creatures who have evolved an assortment of ways to survive Alaska’s longest and harshest season. Among…

Let’s continue the saga of the drawing permit application brochure. As I mentioned last week, nobody in Big Lake has this brochure and, apparently, even if they sell hunting and fishing licenses, they must request these brochures, or they will not have any.

Holiday time is upon us—we are gearing up for dinners, decorations, gifts, and gatherings. ‘Tis the season to get hung up on the details--Should we add an extra centerpiece? Did I get the right number of gifts? Are the lights even working?--and miss the more important elements of these event…

Last week I reported on Mat-Su lakes’ thin-ice conditions and discussed ice fishing safety. With a layer of snow now insulating / retarding further ice development, I read reports on Tuesday from 3 businesses that guide Mat-Su ice fishing trips — all commenting on still thin-ice conditions. …

Today, Nov. 11th is Veterans Day. Many people view this day as a holiday to be enjoyed, especially if they get the day off from work. This holiday was established to be a day of remembrance for all our military who died in defending our American freedoms. It also encompasses giving our thank…

I met Vic Van Ballenberghe in the mid-1980s, not long after I’d become the Anchorage Times’ outdoors writer. Part of my new “beat” was covering the Alaska Board of Game (BOG). This was my first venture into wildlife politics and I had few, if any, preconceptions about the board, its members,…

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has announced a statewide list of educational programs and institutions that will be funded with GEER II money. The GEER II fund is part of the federal Covid relief packages specifically designed to help educational institutions and is separate from the funding …

I have a thought provoking question for you. What do Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets of the Old Testament have to do with Dorothy Wolf, Sam Campbell, Al Altschuh, and others from the first church …

In an article written in Harpers Weekly in 1913, Justice Louis Brandeis made the statement, “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” And nothing shines a brighter light on government than newspapers.

The Alaska Baseball League (ABL) risks demise due to external threats and internal division. Reintroducing to the league the legendary Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks, a predecessor to and founding member of the ABL, is a paramount step for the league’s survival.

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