ALASKA ARKANSAS CALIFORNIA

May 10 2026POLITICS

Helping Alaska Dogs, Helping People: A New Plan to Cut Bites and Boost Vet Care

Alaska’s remote towns face a huge problem: many stray dogs roam free, and kids often get bitten. A new state bill wants to solve this by creating a special fund that will pay for spay and neuter services. The money would come from custom license plates and donations, plus the fund’s own investment

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May 09 2026EDUCATION

New Dean Leads Arkansas State Nursing College

Arkansas State University has officially named Stacy Walz the dean of its College of Nursing and Health Professions, ending her interim status that began in 2025. Walz, who has a long history with the college as associate dean and chair of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, will take over full responsibi

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May 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

When Alaska starts warning about summer heat

Alaska is getting ready for a new kind of weather warning. Normally, people think of wild winds or heavy snow when they hear weather alerts. But now, forecasters will also issue heat advisories for Anchorage and parts of southern Alaska as temperatures climb higher than usual. The change is partly

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May 08 2026POLITICS

Alaska's Election Race Brings Unexpected Surprises

Alaska's political scene is heating up ahead of the 2026 midterms, and this year's races might not go the way most people expect. With no sitting governor running again, the state’s unique voting system could shake things up. Instead of the usual party battles, candidates from all sides will face of

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May 08 2026POLITICS

How Arkansas politics is shaping what students learn in college

Arkansas colleges are facing growing pressure from state lawmakers to drop programs and remove professors they disagree with. In one recent case, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock agreed to cut its gender studies minor after Republican lawmakers threatened to block its budget. They argued th

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May 08 2026POLITICS

Alaska’s Future Hangs on Smart Resource Choices

Alaska’s next governor race is already getting messy. With so many candidates running, some are trying weird new ideas just to stand out. One surprising shift? Even self-proclaimed "pro-resource" candidates are suddenly talking about putting limits on trawl fishing—the way big nets scoop up fish lik

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May 05 2026BUSINESS

State Farm Faces Big Penalties Over LA Wildfire Claims

California regulators say State Farm mishandled claims from the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. The department is seeking up to $4 million in fines if the company is found guilty of willful violations. State Farm denies any wrongdoing and says it has already paid $5. 7 billion in wildfire claims

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Apr 30 2026WEATHER

California’s Summer: What to Expect When Weather Forecasts Can’t Be Sure

California’s summer weather for June to August looks set to lean warmer than usual, but don’t expect a clear trend in rain. The National Weather Service’s latest outlook calls it “equal chances” for precipitation, meaning anything—from dry patches to sudden downpours—could happen. The forecast relie

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Apr 29 2026OPINION

Finding a better way for Alaska's schools

Alaska's schools face tough problems today. Many classrooms have fewer students than before. Some people think closing schools is the only answer. But that misses the real issue. Years of decisions have left schools struggling. Money problems make it hard to help students. When schools can't give k

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Apr 29 2026POLITICS

California’s Billionaire Tax: A Bold Move or a Costly Mistake?

California is testing a new idea that might backfire. The state now has a “billionaire tax” on the ballot, pushed by union leaders who argue it will help fund public services. But the plan has already started a quiet exodus—not of the poor, but of some of the state’s wealthiest residents. Many had s

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