Quintillion’s Fiber Has Arrived in Nome — But for Residents, the Wait Continues
Quintillion’s long-awaited fiber internet services are now active in Nome, but so far, only local institutions are connected to the new network. Bringing the fiber broadband to individual consumers will require agreements with residential providers that have yet to be finalized.
72-Hour Government Shutdown Delays Federal-Level Meetings on Rural Alaska Issues
Besides affecting AFN delegates’ and Melanie Bahnke’s scheduled conversations with government employees, the shutdown impacted Kawerak’s Board Chairman, Frank Katchatag, who was slated to speak at a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management public meeting today. This one BOEM proposed public meeting to be held in Alaska, regarding the National OCS program, is now postponed.
Nome School Board Renews Principal Contracts, Faces Reduced Funding
The Nome Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved two-year contracts for its three principals at its regular meeting Tuesday, during which budget crunches were also a topic of discussion.
BOEM Proposes Oil and Gas Lease Sale of Almost All Outer Continental Shelf; Kawerak and Others Not In Favor
In a reversal of Obama-era policy, a new Bureau of Ocean Energy Management proposal would open nearly all the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States to oil and gas exploration. The draft proposal recommends 19 lease sales be held in Alaska, 11 of them in areas not considered for oil and gas leasing in decades or ever before. That doesn’t sit well with regional organizations like Kawerak.
For Michels, Former Nome Mayor and Kawerak Higher-Up, New Job at DOWL Brings Familiar Clients
According to DOWL’s Geo-Construction Practice Area Leader, Kendall Gee, Michels will be tasked with managing high-profile, rural projects that require senior leadership. Before taking the position with DOWL, Michels worked with Kawerak for more than 15 years up until early November.
Marine Biologists Seek Answers in a Warmer Bering Sea
A group of marine scientists is visiting Western Alaska this week to discuss the results of a second bottom-trawl survey of the northern Bering Sea.
Lt. Governor Talks Arctic Policy During Nome Visit; Climate Change Action Plan Coming Soon
Through his talks with Kawerak on Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott revisited the idea of a local Native council on climate change, which previously existed along with the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area. The Walker administration is currently developing a climate change action plan which could be released later this year.
Leadership Summit Keynote Urges Hope, Resolve In Native Community
Jorie Ayyu Paoli delivered the keynote address at the Kawerak Leadership Summit in Nome. “Our community — we’re like the willow,” she said. “You can cut the willow down, you can cut it back, to try and get rid of it, but if there’s even a shred of root, it will re-grow and thrive.”
Ecological Atlas of Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas Conveys Years’ Worth of Data
Audubon Alaska has released a new, free and publicly-accessible ecological atlas of the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas. It’s driven by years of careful measurements: “we… let the data do the talking,” says an Audubon representative who visited Nome last week.
Crystal’s “Serenity” Will Not Return to Nome for Years, If Ever; Locals Weigh Its Impact
The luxury cruise liner “Crystal Serenity,” which stopped in Nome last month, won’t be coming around to Alaska again for at least two years, if ever.