The overall population of Alaska has remained steady over the past five years. But in certain areas of the state, it’s on the rise. Some of those areas are Alaska’s smallest communities.

One of the most important tools for ensuring government representation and the distribution of federal funds relies on neighbors counting neighbors. The 2020 United States Census is more than a year away, and government officials are already planning the effort to count each person living in rural Alaska.

The village of Aniak’s runway construction could cause more headaches for the community during spring breakup. Aniak’s city manager Kevin Toothacker says that the state’s plans to modify a road that runs next to the runway could compromise it.

The Calista Regional Native Corporation just announced its candidate endorsements for the upcoming November elections.  

To get Calista’s backing, these candidates had to support the proposed Donlin Gold mine, be against a controversial salmon habitat ballot measure (Ballot Measure 1), and prioritize public safety and education funding.  

In Quinhagak, there will be a Mix Six Volleyball tournament. Two teams, Eek and Toksook Bay, will be there to compete. The games will start on Friday at 6 p.m. and resume on Saturday at 9 a.m. There will be concessions to raise money for Quinhagak sports travel. These are Quinhagak’s first volleyball games of the year. Good luck everyone!

Public safety is a leading issue across Alaska, and in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, it has been voted the region’s top issue by delegates attending the Association of Village Council Presidents' annual convention. After the convention adjourned last Thursday, Alaska’s three gubernatorial campaigns presented their solutions on the topic.