• Locally sourced geothermal energy looks to be potential option for Nome’s high energy costs;
• Kuskokwim fishermen trials wrapped up yesterday at Bethel Court House;
• Governor Sean Parnell has signed state budgets totaling $13.2 billion;
• There’s a new resource for pregnant women in the Nome area.

• Kuskokwim fishermen trial resumed Monday in Bethel;
• Alaska unveils plan to determine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s oil and gas potential;
• Obama administration approves Alaska’s request for No Child Left Behind waiver;
• Alaska volcano eruption prompting regional airlines to cancel flights to nearby communities;
• Kenai couple has only winning ticket in this year’s Nenana Ice Classic.

• Searchers in Northwest Alaska continue to look for two missing since Wednesday;
• State emergency workers report major flooding in community of Circle;
• Arctic Council recognizes need for Arctic oil spill preparation;
• Longterm unemployed in Alaska about to see reduction in unemployment benefits;
• Nome’s Kendra Nichols-Takak is recipient of 2013 Rasmussen Foundation emerging artist award;
• Pavlof Volcano continues to erupt on Alaska Peninsula.

In Friday’s news:

• Arctic Council grants observer status to six non-Arctic nations;
• Winter weather hanging on as summer approaches (see graph below);
• Nome officials promoting boat, bike and firearm safety and more at tomorrow’s Safety Fair.

Pacific Decadal Oscillation
(pattern of ocean temperatures and winds)

• More money needed for Richard Foster building in Nome;
• Wasted carcasses of musk oxen near Kotzebue forces closure of subsistence hunt this year;
• Grassroots campaign gathering signatures for referendum to repeal Senate Bill 21;
• Nome senior Dominique Hall signs letter of intent to play basketball at NW Indian College.

• U.S. Senate expected to pass sweeping bill today authorizing dozens of water projects;
• Norton Sound winter commercial king crab fishery closing for season today;
• Eleven new students will be attending Anvil City Science Academy in Nome next year;
• Scientists say small lava flows have been detected on two restless volcanoes in Alaska.

• Fiber optic broadband is coming to Nome;
• Ambulance Chief, Victoria Erickson, will be with the Nome Volunteer Ambulance Department for two more years;
• Ice on Kuskokwim River thawing slower than usual;
• Link to the past has been discovered at Nome’s Covenant Church.

• White House released National Strategy for Arctic Region on Friday;
• River ice break up expected to be two weeks later than normal;
• Nome youth braved chilly fog Saturday afternoon to operate lemonade stands.

• Kawerak, Inc. is compiling traditional knowledge into an atlas;
• NOAA Fisheries wants to hear final comments about recent Environmental Impact Statement;
• Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator chosen to lead National Republican Senatorial Committee’s Native American Program;
• Kid entrepreneurs will be hitting the streets this Saturday.

• Former Bethel police officer being charged with being intoxicated while on the scene of a police shooting;
• One person is raising money to bring members of her community back to their homeland (http://www.usaprojects.org/project/ugiuva_miuguru_a_i_am_from_king_island);
• U.S. Coast Guard contracts to build sixth National Security Cutter;
• UAF Northwest Campus in Nome celebrating commencement tonight at Old St. Joe’s.