High School

Soccer

Girls

Monday

West 1, Eagle River 1

Dimond 10, Bartlett 0

Chugiak 1, Service 1

Tuesday

Grace Christian 10, Redington 3

Soldotna 2, Homer 0

Lathrop 1, West Valley 0

Wednesday

Dimond 10, East 0

South Anchorage 5, Service 1

West 5, Bartlett 0

Chugiak 10, Eagle River 0

Monroe Catholic 10, Hutchison 0

Thursday

Palmer 4, Houston 1

Kenai Central 2, Grace Christian 1

Soldotna 2, Juneau-Douglas 1

Wasilla 2, Lathrop 1

Friday

Soldotna 2, Ketchikan 1

Kenai Central 3, Palmer 0

Wasilla 2, West Valley 1

Service 3, Bartlett 0

South 15, East 0

Colony 5, Lathrop 0

Saturday

Soldotna 3, Ketchikan 2

Wasilla 6, North Pole 0

Kenai Central 12, Houston 1

Boys

Monday

Dimond 8, Bartlett 1

West 11, Eagle River 1

Service 3, Chugiak 2

Tuesday

Grace Christian 7, Redington 2

Soldotna 1, Homer 0

West Valley 9, Lathrop 0

Wednesday

Monroe Catholic 2, Hutchison 1

Dimond 2, East 2

Service 1, South 0

Chugiak 7, Eagle River 0

West 7, Bartlett 2

Thursday

Redington 9, Nikiski 0

Kenai Central 2, Grace Christian 0

Palmer 4, Houston 0

Wasilla 1, Lathrop 0

Juneau-Douglas 3, Soldotna 0

Friday

Grace Christian 7, Nikiski 1

Soldotna 1, Ketchikan 0

West Valley 5, Wasilla 0

Service 5, Bartlett 0

Colony 3, Lathrop 0

Saturday

Colony 3, West Valley 1

Palmer 13, Nikiski 0

Kenai Central 3, Houston 0

Ketchikan 3, Soldotna 2

• • •

Softball

Monday

Dimond 8, Service 5

Soldotna 17, Homer 5

South 7, Dimond 6

Tuesday

Palmer 4, Houston 3

Soldotna 13, Kenai Central 0

North Pole 11, Lathrop 1

Wednesday

Palmer 13, Redington 5

South 2, Chugiak 0

North Pole 11, Hutchison 10

Thursday

Soldotna 9, Homer 6

Chugiak 2, Kenai Central 1

Bartlett 13, Kenai Central 7

South 6, Colony 0

Service 2, West 0

Lathrop 9, Monroe Catholic 4

Dimond 6, East 5

Friday

Soldotna 5, Kenai Central 2

Bartlett 18, Homer 0

Dimond 12, Juneau-Douglas 0

Sitka 13, Ketchikan 5

Colony 10, Service 5

West Valley 18, North Pole 3

Dimond 8, West 5

East 7, Colony 0

Juneau-Douglas 13, Service 3

Saturday

Colony 11, Service 0

East 3, Dimond 2

Colony 16, West 5

South 8, Colony 5

• • •

Baseball

Monday

Grace Christian 13, Redington 12

Soldotna 17, Homer 7

South 14, Wasilla 2

Eagle River 9, Chugiak 5

East 3, Bartlett 0

Tuesday

Colony 17, Houston 0

Chugiak 4, West 3

West Valley 6, Monroe Catholic 2

Wednesday

Palmer 14, Redington 3

Colony 5, Chugiak 3

Service 16, South 9

Eagle River 3, West 2

Thursday

North Pole 9, Monroe Catholic 2

Chugiak 16, East 0

Service 15, Bartlett 3

Kodiak 14, Houston 12

Wasilla 16, Colony 4

South 7, Dimond 4

Friday

Redington 12, Delta 6

Service 3, Eagle River 1

West Valley 12, North Pole 2

Homer 12, Kenai Central 7

Palmer 15, Kodiak 5

Sitka 3, Ketchikan 2

Wasilla 10, East 0

Saturday

Redington 7, Delta 6

Chugiak 13, South 3

Eagle River 9, Bartlett 2

Palmer 11, Houston 1

Soldotna 7, Kenai Central 4

West 9, Dimond 8

Sitka 24, Ketchikan 0

• • •

Track and field

Anchorage Invite

Girls team scores

1. Dimond 27; 2. Mountain City Christian Academy 16; 2. Chugiak 16; 4. East 14; 5. Service 10; 6. Homer 8; 6. Kenai Central 8; 8. South Anchorage 6; 9. Soldotna 5; 10. Eagle River 4; 11. Seward 3

Boys team scores

1. Chugiak 25; 2. East 20; 2. South 20; 4. Bartlett 18; 5. West 10; 6. Kodiak 7; 7. Dimond 6; 8. Mountain City Christian Academy 5; 9. Eagle River 3; 10. Service 2; 11. Soldotna 1

• • •

NAHL

Friday

Anchorage Wolverines 4, Wisconsin Windigo 2

Saturday

Anchorage Wolverines v. Wisconsin Windigo (late)

• • •

2025 Love a Nurse Run 5k

Male Overall Results

1: Wesley McQuillin, Anchorage, AK 16:10; 2: Robert Pires, JBER, AK 17:13; 3: Jeremy Fairbanks, Anchorage, AK 18:38; 4: Collin Christiansen, Palmer, AK 19:04; 5: Avi Dashow, Anchorage, AK 21:42; 6: Jason Dashow, Anchorage, AK 22:53; 7: Joel Manalo, Anchorage, AK 24:01; 8: Corbyn Navas, Anchorage, AK 24:11; 9: Darren Essman, Palmer, AK 24:33; 10: Luiz Santos, Hortolândia, N/A 24:58; 11: Hunter Kluckman, Anchorage, AK 25:19; 12: Jeremiah Hassemer, Anchorage, AK 25:20; 13: Matt Skinner, Anchorage, AK 25:33; 14: Tim Haugan, Eagle River, AK 26:43; 15: Mark Jacobsen, Anchorage, AK 27:02; 16: Joash Marquez, Anchorage, AK 29:31; 17: Michael Perkins, Anchorage, AK 30:13; 18: Ronald Regacho, Anchorage, AK 31:27; 19: Oleg Glebov, Anchorage, AK 31:52; 20: Joe Milton, Anchorage, AK 32:12

Female Overall Results

1: Michelle Isaev, Anchorage, AK 21:10; 2: Andrea Resende, Anchorage, AK 22:25; 3: Andrea Ayers, Wasilla, AK 24:10; 4: Lydia Ortiz, Palmer, AK 24:41; 5: Izzy Dashow, Anchorage, AK 25:25; 6: Elayna Tunney, Anchorage, AK 26:49; 7: Janet Johnston, Anchorage, AK 26:52; 8: Yoe Isbell, Eagle River, AK 27:10; 9: Stephanie Hill, Anchorage, AK 27:11; 10: Sara Lopez, Anchorage, AK 27:48; 11: Deanna March, Anchorage, AK 28:05; 12: Kathy Jacobsen, Anchorage, AK 28:15; 13: Charlene Nidoy, Anchorage, AK 28:20; 14: Cecelia Ortiz, Palmer, AK 28:29; 15: Jenny Justinger, JBER, AK 28:35; 16: Kate McQuillin, Anchorage, AK 28:42; 17: Lindsay Wingerter, Eagle River, AK 30:14; 18: Ruby Wingerter, Eagle River, AK 30:29; 19: Johnna Lovelace, Anchorage, AK 31:08; 20: Sarah Oloughlin, Anchorage, AK 31:10

• • •

2025 UAA Turnagain Arm Trail Run

8 Mile Run

Female

1. Anna Dalton, 49:12,3; 2. Sophie Wright, 50:48,2; 3. Mariah Graham, 53:41,2; 4. Shauna Severson, 54:04,1; 5. Ana Jager, Ana, 56:48,7; 6. Eva Marley-Jester, 58:25,5; 7. Mariah Brashar, 58:31,4; 8. Lauren Spinelli, 58:37,9; 9. Alison Matthews, 59:20,9; 10. Sabrina Farmer, 59:32,2

Male

1. William McGovern, 42:09,7; 2. Zack Bursell, 43:05,8; 3. Lars Arneson, 43:45,3; 4. Chad Trammell, 43:54,2; 5. Cody Priest, 45:06,2; 6. Joshua Taylor, 45:37,0; 7. Nolan Gerlach, 46:14,0; 8. Eric Vilce, 47:50,4; 9. Connor Marth, 48:11,9; 10. Franklin Dekker, 48:20,9

4 Mile Run

Female

1. Calista Zuber, 25:00,0; 2. Jillian Gavalya, 26:29,1; 3. Sadie Benter, 29:47,0; 4. Emily Stewart, 29:59,4; 5. Elisabeth Angeles, 30:24,5; 6. Rachel James, 31:27,8; 7. Gwyneth Gavalya, 31:48,3; 8. Josie Hale, 32:23,4; 9. AddieAnn Randall, 32:52,0; 10. Kristyn Turney, 33:14,0

Male

1. Thale Randall, 23:06,0; 2. Nash Paprocki, 26:18,0; 3. Agustin Inostroza, 29:15,8; 4. Brad Benter, 30:08,8; 5. Remington Roach, 31:47,9; 6. Finn Hamilton-Iverson, 34:10,4; 7. Zachary Burgess, 35:45,9; 8. Randy Sandvik, 37:51,9; 9. Matthew Sandvik, 38:32,0; 10. Derek Webster, 41:08,9

Our country carries a complicated legacy of using education as both a tool for assimilation and a privilege reserved for the affluent.

When our state’s constitutional delegates established the right to a public education, it was a time when many children were still being sent to regional boarding schools, where their cultural identities were often stripped away. This history reminds us of the importance of working tirelessly to create a quality education system accessible to all children — a mission that remains one of the most significant endeavors for policymakers and everyone who cares about the future.

At its heart, education is about empowering children to realize their fullest potential and become valued members of our communities. Public education serves as a lifeline, ensuring that every child, no matter their circumstances, has an equal chance to pursue their dreams. It’s about leveling the playing field so that where a child lives or their family’s financial situation doesn’t determine their future.

We champion public schools because our kids have the right to learn to read. The ability to read is not just an academic skill; it’s a crucial stepping stone to future opportunities — negotiating contracts, finding good jobs or even buying a home. If children struggle to understand the written word, they face daunting barriers that can hinder their aspirations.

Investing in our neighborhood schools is a commitment to the well-being of our children. Schools are often safe havens where kids can find support, meals, and a sense of belonging. They serve as gathering places in our communities, providing shelter during crises, nurturing family connections, and celebrating joys or mourning losses together.

Public schools are not businesses, and treating them as such overlooks the diverse needs our children bring with them every day. Education is about creating opportunities, and when a child arrives hungry or grappling with challenges at home, we must respond with compassion and understanding. Learning becomes nearly impossible in the face of unmet basic needs.

If there’s one area we should refuse to compromise, it’s our commitment to our children’s education. Cuts to school funding only undermine what we strive to provide for their future. Our public schools are not failing; they are starving for the necessary resources to thrive. For over a decade, Alaska has failed to sufficiently invest in education, and the effects are painfully clear. Many schools are in disrepair, with children learning in classrooms plagued by black mold and in gyms that are physically unsafe. Teachers, who care deeply about their students, find themselves trying to educate in conditions that compromise their health and well-being. It’s no surprise that we’re witnessing increasing rates of absenteeism and a troubling rise in classrooms without certified teachers.

We tell our kids that actions speak louder than words, and for far too long, our state’s lack of investment in public schools has sent a disheartening message.

[Deena Bishop: Why Alaska education funding and policy need to go hand in hand]

Instead of using national assessment scores against students, we should view these assessments as a constructive tool — one that helps us understand where support is needed most. Our responsibility is to invest in the resources that will improve learning environments, not to deprive schools of what they need to be effective.

It is simply wrong and deeply unfair to keep the critical funding needed to support our students hostage to political agendas.

Every child deserves access to a safe and supportive public school, staffed by committed educators who want to make a difference in their lives. By ensuring stable and predictable funding, we can address immediate needs, like fixing broken windows and repairing non-functioning toilets, while also helping our communities retain the talented teachers who impact our children’s lives.

Alaskans clearly want more funding for schools, and as elected officials in Juneau, we must prioritize the support our public education system needs. Our children’s futures depend on it.

Sen. Löki Gale Tobin is the chair of the Alaska Senate Education Committee and is a Ph.D. student studying culturally responsive education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

• • •

The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Read our full guidelines for letters and commentaries here.

Alaska small-business owners’ financial and economic outlook swung sharply negative this year amid political uncertainty as President Donald Trump sets high tariffs on major trading partners, according to a survey of close to 300 Alaska businesses by a small-business development group.

“Business optimism plunged” and the survey recorded the “highest level of economic pessimism ever recorded” in its eight-year history, according to a statement from the Alaska Small Business Development Center on Thursday.

There’s been a big shift in the economic conditions that Alaska businesses face, said Jon Bittner, the group’s state director, in an interview Friday.

“The largest issue is not specifically the tariffs, but the public uncertainty,” he said. “Businesses don’t know what the pricing will be, how they should market their products, or what to invest in.”

The survey represents businesses across Alaska, in urban and rural areas, and close to every industry sector, Bittner said.

Late last year, about 60% of businesses expected to have good or very good financial conditions this year, the survey found.

By April, only 46% of businesses held that view, the survey found.

“The numbers we are seeing are close to the numbers we saw during COVID,” Bittner said. “But the big difference is there was a lot of federal funding provided to businesses to weather that economic storm. That’s not the case this time.”

Political uncertainty emerged as a top-three challenge facing Alaska businesses, the survey found. Inflation and rising operating costs were also leading concerns. It’s the first time political uncertainty has landed in the top three challenges, according to the center.

The reversal in small-business confidence in Alaska mirrors apprehension among business interests nationwide as the Trump administration sets high tariffs on U.S. trading partners and allies around the world.

The tariffs, some in place and others delayed or adjusted, have caused higher prices and uncertainty for small businesses in Alaska. Many businesses have raised the cost of their goods after their suppliers increased their costs.

[Uncertainty and impacts from Trump’s shifting tariffs hit small businesses in Anchorage]

The survey compares results from a survey late last year of nearly 960 small businesses statewide to an April survey of 273 of those same businesses.

The survey found that 61% of businesses report supplier price increases from the tariffs.

In response to higher supply costs, 48% of the small businesses said they have raised their prices.

Thirty-five percent are attempting to absorb higher costs without raising prices, the survey found.

The businesses expecting a declining financial situation increased from 25% to 63%, the survey found.

Those expecting improvement dropped from 46% to 26%.

That’s an “unprecedented swing” from a positive to a negative outlook, the center said.

Jenna Wright, president of the Anchorage Economic Development Corp., said in an interview Friday that she is not surprised by the survey results.

Her group recently held a business roundtable to hear from several Alaska businesses. She said the business representatives anticipated growth at the year’s start, but now say they’ll be happy with just a flat year.

Wright said the rapid pace of actions from the Trump administration — the on-again, off-again tariffs, the flurry of executive orders, the frozen funding tied to major Biden-era bills — are having ripple effects through the economy.

“All the uncertainty causes businesses to pull back and reassess until they can find what the new point of stability is,” she said.

“I think the concerns are widespread across businesses,” she said.

“But I do want to say that on the other hand, some businesses are excited about the potential for unleashing Alaska’s energy, as it’s been called by Trump administration,“ Wright added. ”So it not all bad, and there are some areas for optimism.”

Bittner said “Alaska is particularly ill-suited” as the tariffs impact global trade, he said.

The state imports nearly all its goods from the Lower 48, while the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, one of the top employers in Anchorage, relies on global trade, he said.

Alaska is also the only state with trucked goods that must come through Canada, which has threatened to impose tolls on Alaska-bound commerce and could do so if the U.S. and Canada got embroiled in an all-out trade war, Bittner said.