Alaska

More than 300 Ukrainians have come to Alaska since the war began

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2022

More than 300 Ukrainians have come to Alaska since the war began

Anchorage-based New Likelihood church members Zori Opanasevych, left, and her sister, Oksana Vakulich, and different volunteers statewide are amongst many within the state’s religion communities who’re working to convey Ukrainians displaced by conflict to Alaska. (Zori Opanasevych)

Greater than 300 refugees from the conflict in Ukraine have come to Alaska to settle, primarily close to household in locations with Slavic communities. A lot of the inflow of Ukrainians follows a wave of immigrants from former Soviet bloc nations who moved to Alaska within the Nineteen Nineties. However this 12 months’s wave of Ukrainians seems to have crested.

“So we noticed this quick rush of people that utilized proper initially of this system have been accredited, after which obtained their households right here as shortly as doable,” stated Issa Spatrisano, who oversees Refugee Resettlement and Meals Assets for Anchorage-based Catholic Group Providers. She additionally serves as Alaska’s state refugee coordinator.

Quickly after Russia invaded Ukraine again in February, President Biden enacted the Uniting for Ukraine program to assist these fleeing the battle discover a non permanent house extra shortly than by standard refugee efforts. Since then, greater than 54,000 have come to America underneath this system, together with the greater than 300 who got here to Alaska.

Ukrainians even have come to america by different applications and as personal residents touring on a visa.

Refugee-relief employees have been busy

Spatrisano stated she and her workers have been busy over the previous few months.

“Statewide, we’re seeing some critical development within the refugee-resettlement program,” she stated. “It’s the most important 12 months within the state’s historical past —by far.”

Spatrisano stated most of those that’ve arrived in Alaska underneath the Uniting for Ukraine program have household who utilized to sponsor them to stay in locations the place earlier waves of Slavic-speaking immigrants have settled.

“The biggest Ukrainian communities statewide, per Census knowledge, are Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley and Delta Junction,” she stated in an interview final week.

The sooner immigrants started coming to Alaska within the Nineteen Nineties from nations that beforehand have been a part of the outdated Soviet bloc.

“Many former Soviet Union arrivals independently determined to maneuver to Alaska and determined to make their house (in communities) throughout the state,” Spatrisano stated, “however particularly within the space of Delta Junction.”

Ukrainian reduction standing report for native officers

Spatrisano informed members of the Delta Metropolis Council final month that the refugee program she heads-up obtained began in response to the formation and development of Delta’s Slavic neighborhood. “And finally ended with refugee help and immigration providers, this system we now know, being established to serve refugee populations that decision Alaska house.”

She emphasised in her response to a query from Delta Councilmember Pete Hallgren that this system that allowed the brand new arrivals from Ukraine just isn’t a ticket to citizenship.

“Anyone that comes over and is non permanent or on parole,” Hallgren requested. “Can they apply for everlasting standing?” That hasn’t been completely discovered by Congress but,” she stated. “At this level — no. You might be welcome to remain for a number of years.”

Spatrisano stated in an interview final week that the inflow of latest arrivals had begun to gradual.

“Alaska positively ought to anticipate extra instances,” she stated, “however I don’t suppose we’re going to anticipate as many individuals as shortly as we noticed them within the first opening of this system.”

Spatrisano stated she’ll proceed updating Alaskans concerning the Uniting for Ukraine program, particularly those that stay in communities the place lots of these fleeing the conflict come to stay.

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Alaska

80 mph, 90 mph and higher: Here’s a rundown of peak gusts recorded across Southcentral Alaska in Sunday’s storm

Published

8 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Press Room

80 mph, 90 mph and higher: Here’s a rundown of peak gusts recorded across Southcentral Alaska in Sunday’s storm

By Anchorage Daily News

Updated: 2 hours ago Published: 3 hours ago

A downed spruce tree partially hangs over Lake Otis Parkway during the windstorm on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Here’s a list of peak wind gusts measured at various locations by the National Weather Service across Southcentral Alaska in Sunday’s storm. Crews were working Sunday evening to restore electricity to thousands of people in Anchorage and the Mat-Su.

Gusts of more than 60 mph were recorded at various locations across the region, with gusts exceeding 80 mph at several locations on the Anchorage Hillside and higher elevations.

High winds, rain batter Anchorage and Mat-Su, with power outages reported across region

The readings were collected from a variety of sources with varying equipment and exposures, the weather service noted. Not all data listed are considered official, the weather service said. See the full list here.

Anchorage

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: 62 mph

Merrill Field: 66 mph

Lake Hood: 59 mph

JBER – Elmendorf: 69 mph

JBER – Fort Richardson: 73 mph

Northeast Anchorage: 75 mph

South Anchorage: 75 mph

Glen Alps: 84 mph

Potter Valley: 91 mph

Bear Valley: 110 mph*

Arctic Valley: 107 mph*

Glenn Hwy Eagle River Bridge: 88 mph

Glenn Hwy S Curves: 62 mph

South Fork Eagle River: 86 mph

Birchwood Airport: 53 mph

Bird Point: 75 mph

Alyeska Weather Station: 112 mph

Alyeska Summit: 99 mph

Portage Glacier: 84 mph

Matanuska Valley

Palmer Airport: 67 mph

Wasilla Airport: 47 mph

Fishhook: 47 mph

Duck Flats: 6 mph

Susitna Valley

Willow: 36 mph

Eastern Kenai Peninsula

Seward Airport: 51 mph

Kenai Lake: 33 mph

Granite Creek: 25 mph

Seward / Sterling Hwys (Y): 42 mph

Whittier Airport: 60 mph*

Western Kenai Peninsula

Kenai Airport: 53 mph

Soldotna Airport: 39 mph

Kenai Beach: 46 mph

Sterling Highway at Jean Lake: 64 mph

Nikiski: 36 mph

Anchor Point: 31 mph

Homer Airport: 46 mph

Homer Boat Harbor: 42 mph

Seldovia Airport: 41 mph

Eastern Prince William Sound

Cordova Airport: 73 mph

Cordova Marine Ferry Terminal: 74 mph

Valdez Airport: 25 mph

Valdez Port: 23 mph

Thompson Pass: 47 mph

Copper River Basin

Gulkana Airport: 56 mph

Chitina: 37 mph

Denali Hwy at MacLaren River: 38 mph

Eureka: 36 mph

Kodiak Island

Kodiak Airport: 52 mph

Kodiak – Pasagshak Road: 61 mph

Akhiok: 45 mph

*Denotes site stopped transmitting wind data following report of highest wind gust.

“Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official.”

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Alaska

Alaska Airlines faces heat after UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gets removed from flight: 'Shame on you'

Published

20 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Alaska Airlines faces heat after UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gets removed from flight: 'Shame on you'

Alaska Airlines is getting called out on social media after a clip surfaced showing a famous UFC fighter get into a dispute on-board until he was escorted off his flight. The video shows Russian hall of fame athlete Khabib Nurmgomedov debating airline staff in the U.S. while he was sitting in the exit row on the plane.

The video of the incident, which reportedly took place at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Saturday, shows an employee telling the 36-year-old mixed martial artist he either has to switch seats or get off the plane. “They’re not comfortable with you sitting in the exit row,” the worker added.

“It’s not fair,” said Nurmgomedov, who was reportedly flying to Los Angeles, to which the worker replied, “It is fair. Yes, it is.”

Nurmgomedov explained that when he was checking in for the flight, he was asked he if knew English, to which he said he did. The airline worker responded, “I understand that, but it’s also off of their judgement. I’m not going to do this back-and-forth. I will call a supervisor.”

The employee reiterated the athlete could either take a different seat on the plane, or staff could “go ahead and escort” him off the flight. She asked “which one are we doing?” and then replied to Nurmgomedov saying they were going to have to rebook him on a different flight.

Across social media, people have been calling out Alaska Airlines asking why they had him removed from the plane. Many called for others to boycott the airline, and some claimed the staff were profiling Nurmgomedov, who is Muslim.

“Why did you remove Khabib from your plane? His fans need to know! I hope he sues you,” an Instagram user wrote on the airline’s most recent post.

“Are you aware of who Khabib is? His legacy surpasses that of the entire airline,” another chimed in.

“Shame on you, Alaska Airline. We all boycotting them,” a TikTok user added.

“What is the reason!? Because they don’t feel comfortable he’s sitting by a window?” another questioned.

Neither Nurmgomedov or Alaska Airlines have yet commented on the situation.

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Alaska

Experts recommend preparing in case of Southcentral power outages as storm approaches

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Experts recommend preparing in case of Southcentral power outages as storm approaches

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – With a storm approaching and high winds in the forecast for a portion of Southcentral Alaska, experts recommend preparing for potential power outages and taking safety precautions.

Experts with the State of Alaska, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management recommended taking the initiative early in case of power outages due to strong weather.

Julie Hasquet with Chugach Electric in Anchorage said Saturday the utility company has 24/7 operators in case of outages.

“We watch the weather forecast, and absolutely, if there are power outages, we will send crews out into the field to respond,” Hasquet said.

She echoed others, saying it’s best to prepare prior to a storm and not need supplies rather than the other way around.

“With the winds that are forecast for tonight and perhaps into Sunday, people should just be ready that it could be some challenging times, and to be aware and cautious and kind of have your radar up,” Hasquet said.

For the latest weather updates and alerts, download the Alaska’s Weather Source app.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

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