The Alaska Current
@thealaskacurrent.com
We're a nonprofit collective of Alaska journalists, creatives, and content creators providing all the news, politics, and culture that can fit in 665,400 square miles. thealaskacurrent.com
From a few cakes a month to a dozen a week: Anchorage baker Kimberly Michaca recently went full-time with Kimmy’s Cakes & Delicacies. Built by word of mouth, family help and a love of making people feel celebrated. Read more in this week's Creative Currents. buff.ly/5L015Z9
Creative Currents: Kimberly Michaca - The Alaska Current
When Kimberly Michaca started her own business, Kimmy’s Cakes & Delicacies three years ago, she was baking a couple of cakes each month.
thealaskacurrent.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
From a few cakes a month to a dozen a week: Anchorage baker Kimberly Michaca recently went full-time with Kimmy’s Cakes & Delicacies. Built by word of mouth, family help and a love of making people feel celebrated. Read more in this week's Creative Currents. buff.ly/5L015Z9
Burger cravings are dangerous — mostly because the burger rarely lives up to the fantasy. But the lunch-only burger at Club Paris does. Ground filet mignon, perfect cook, no regrets. The imaginary perfect burger? It’s real, and it’s been downtown this whole time.
Current Cravings: Quest for a perfect burger ends at Club Paris - The Alaska Current
Let's talk about burger cravings, and specifically, a common misfortune that follows. Maybe you’ve had a burger on the mind for a while, potentially through a slog of tedious meetings or the final…
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December 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Burger cravings are dangerous — mostly because the burger rarely lives up to the fantasy. But the lunch-only burger at Club Paris does. Ground filet mignon, perfect cook, no regrets. The imaginary perfect burger? It’s real, and it’s been downtown this whole time.
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.
Trail Blazers: Ana Jager - The Alaska Current
Ana Jager grew up in Anchorage, Alaska in an active outdoor family.
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December 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
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.
Despite Sullivan’s attempt to save face, Alaskans’ health insurance costs are set to soar - The Alaska Current
The U.S. House will not take up a vote on extending critical health insurance subsidies.
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December 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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...
Dunleavy’s latest budget proposal is more cheap fiscal fantasy - The Alaska Current
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy rolled out his budget proposal last week, unveiling a visionless spending plan for his final year in office.
thealaskacurrent.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
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.
Creative Currents: Alicia Lespin - The Alaska Current
Esthetician, singer and drag artist Alicia Lespin says that music has always been a constant throughout her life, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that her passion was reignited.
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December 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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.
The correct answer is yes. Trump lost.
Sullivan’s choice for federal judge refuses to admit Trump lost 2020 election - The Alaska Current
This story was originally published by Dermot Cole, Reporting from Alaska. Aaron C. Peterson, who is in line for a lifetime appointment as the next federal judge in Alaska, can’t muster the political…
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December 16, 2025 at 12:15 AM
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.
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...
Federal law set to end the ‘Temu weed’ harshing out Alaska’s marijuana industry - The Alaska Current
The legislation that reopened the federal government in November snuck through a provision that will bring an end to what those in Alaska’s recreational marijuana industry have dubbed “Temu weed.”
thealaskacurrent.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:11 PM
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...
Creative Currents: Lou Donnellan - The Alaska Current
From an early age, tattoo apprentice and artist Lou Donnellan says that she was making art.
thealaskacurrent.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:43 PM
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...
Creative Currents: Alyssa Quintyne - The Alaska Current
Alyssa Quintyne is on a mission to make her art obtainable.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:09 PM
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...
Legislators are understandably wary about handing Dunleavy a $200 million rural health fund - The Alaska Current
The $50 billion in federal funding over the next five years hopes to address longstanding problems with health care access and affordability in rural areas.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
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.
Current Cravings: New Donut Destination in Palmer - The Alaska Current
To this day, I love donuts, and I almost equally love to see how different bakeries make the classics.
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November 22, 2025 at 12:00 AM
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.
Trail Blazers: Jossline Jackson - The Alaska Current
At just 20 years old, Jossline Jackson is actively shaping what her future in Alaska’s mountains will look like.
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November 21, 2025 at 12:30 AM
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...
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/20/b...
Battlefield 6 is not just a return to form; it’s a big splashy step forward - The Alaska Current
There are far fewer lulls in the action or moments where you hit your head against the latest gimmicky innovation.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:27 PM
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...
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...
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/19/m...
More Alaskans are buying insurance on the marketplace than ever. Rates are set to soar. - The Alaska Current
The end of the longest-ever government shutdown came without any meaningful progress on a looming spike in health care costs.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:11 AM
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...
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...
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/19/l...
Look at the Criminals Who Donald Trump is Pardoning - The Alaska Current
It is astounding who Donald Trump has been pardoning.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:08 PM
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...
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.
As legislators review school funding, Alaska’s middling teacher pay is a key focus - The Alaska Current
There are a lot of ways to measure how Alaska’s spending on public education stacks up to other states.
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November 19, 2025 at 1:15 AM
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...
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...
No, Anchorage isn’t turning to by-phone elections - The Alaska Current
The New York Times recently dropped into Anchorage to report on what it called “an experiment that feels both inevitable and impossibly futuristic."
thealaskacurrent.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
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...
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:
Wei: Ambition Alongside the Realities of Alaska - The Alaska Current
We visited Wei during the dinner rush on a weeknight. Service was extremely attentive and the food was fast.
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November 14, 2025 at 10:01 PM
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.
November 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM
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...
Dan Sullivan’s in line for ‘million-dollar jackpot’ under bill that ended the shutdown - The Alaska Current
The end of the historic government shutdown this week was a mixed bag for Alaskans. Thousands of federal employees will be paid, food stamp benefits will resume, but no help is coming for the 28,000…
thealaskacurrent.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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 of the Race: Polling-informed gubernatorial power rankings - The Alaska Current
A lot has happened since the last power rankings of the race for the next governor of Alaska.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
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.
November 11, 2025 at 11:27 PM
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
Creative Currents: Emily Rosenblatt - The Alaska Current
For multimedia artist Emily Rosenblatt, gathering materials for jewelry making is a team effort.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:53 PM
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...
Galvanized by success in national elections, progressives turn up the heat on Begich, Sullivan - The Alaska Current
A food drive outside Begich's office featured fiery condemnations of the Republican and his party.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:55 AM
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...