Scholarships, Theater and Cruise Docks

The Nick Begich Scholarship Intern Fund has named its 2025–2026 award recipients. Three Juneau students were selected, along with others from Kake and Haines. Since its founding, the program has awarded more than $713,000 to nearly 500 Alaskans. Details are at kinyradio.com.

Perseverance Theatre’s Leslie Ishii has received the 2025 Paul Robeson Award. The national honor, given by the Actors’ Equity Association, recognizes theatre professionals who promote freedom of expression and social responsibility. Ishii is being honored for her work creating theatre by and for Alaskans.

The CBJ Assembly Finance Committee approved a proposed property tax rate of 10.24 mills—up from the current 10.04. Deputy City Manager Robert Barr said the increase addresses two key budget challenges.

Hoonah voters will decide next week whether to form a new borough. If approved, the City of Hoonah would dissolve into a service area under the new borough, which would rely on state funds and sales tax instead of property tax.

Wrangell is in early talks with American Cruise Lines to build a $3 million floating dock. The borough may issue bonds for the project, with costs repaid through docking fees.

Six people were rescued near Warren Island after their boat capsized earlier this week. A Coast Guard helicopter and a nearby vessel responded to the distress call. The group made it safely to shore and was later transported to Coffman Cove. The incident is under investigation.

The Ketchikan School Board is pausing its superintendent search until fall 2025. An interim leader will be appointed for the upcoming year. Current finalist Scott Huff will remain a candidate when the search resumes. The board is also addressing a vacancy following Tom Huette’s resignation.

Kodiak’s House race is taking shape. Republican Sheldon Prout and Democrat Katherine Simpler have filed to replace Rep. Louise Stutes, who’s running for Senate. Prout is a staffer for Vice President JD Vance; Simpler is a longtime educator. The district leans Republican but has a history of bipartisan support.

The Trump administration says it’s time to stop minting pennies.