Being named Gatorade Player of the Year was a goal that motivated Juneau-Douglas soccer player Kai Ciambor since he first laid his eyes on the banners of the previous recipients of the prestigious honor hanging off the school’s balcony. This past Thursday, the recently graduated senior was named Alaska’s 2025 honoree for boys soccer.

“Now that my four years of high school soccer is now over, I understand that this award is so much more than a personal accolade,” Ciambor said. “Winning an award like this wouldn’t be possible without having teammates that day-in and day-out provided an environment that remained competitive and uplifting, and a coaching staff that sparked the growth within our program.”

The senior midfielder recorded 16 goals and 12 assists in his final season and led the Crimson Bears to the Division I state semifinals, where they narrowly fell to eventual state champion West. He was also named Railbelt Conference Player of the Year and finished his career with 64 goals, 36 assists and two Division II state titles in back-to-back years from 2023-2024.

“Kai is a player that makes every type of impact on a game,” West Valley head coach Damon Crutcher said in a statement. “You can point to his ridiculous foot speed, ball-handling ability or his technical release of the ball. On top of that, Kai has a brilliant in-game IQ.”

Off the pitch, Ciambor maintained a 3.82 GPA in the classroom and volunteered locally as part of a community beautification project as well as packaging food for the homeless. In the fall he will he taking his talents to play for the men’s soccer team at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

“I’m grateful for the trust they all had in me and my aspirations, and I am also thankful for the Gatorade committee and coaches statewide that made this goal possible,” Ciambor said.

Switching from the pitch to the gridiron, one of the state’s top football recruits has already found his new home at the next level with another year in high school left to spare. On Thursday, Bartlett star defensive tackle Deuce Alailefaleula announced his commitment to play football at Boise State University, a Division I institution competing in the Mountain West Conference at the FBS level which is the highest of the NCAA subdivision classifications.

“What sold me was how they are going to develop me as a player and also as a man outside of football,” Alailefaleula said. “I felt the connection with all the coaching staff like if I was talking to friends and family but when we (were) talking about business it was all ears and eyes from there.”

Alailefaleula had been in talks with the coaching staff since January and through further conversations, he said “my heart just felt like this is the place for me.” One of his hopes is to create a pipeline of top talent from the 49th state to the Broncos program.

“I’m all about helping getting Alaska on the map,” Alailefaleula said. “It was hard getting eyes on me from Alaska because we get overlooked so much that kids move out of state to get looked at. I just proved that it is possible and I can say I’m one of many.”

Alailefaleula is far from the first elite talent from Alaska to make it to the highest level of college football, he’s just the latest. Others in recent years who have trailblazed a path for him include West’s Aaron Hampton, Dimond’s Brandon Pili, South’s Edefuan Ulofoshio and Palmer’s Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu.

On the college sports scene, both of the University of Alaska Anchorage basketball programs were busy making moves on the recruiting trail. The men’s team is adding one of the top junior college talents the West Coast had to offer in guard Elijah Mobley.

Mobley spent the past two seasons starring at Las Positas College in Livermore, California, where he tallied 1,022 points in 60 games with averages of 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals. He was named to the All League First Team in both seasons and finished as the second-leading scorer in Coast-North Conference last season with an average of 19.3 points per game.

“We are excited that Elijah has decided to join our program,” UAA head coach Rusty Osborne said in a statement. “He is a very good athlete and can really attack in transition. He has a true scorer’s mentality without being selfish. Although not a huge three-point threat, he gives us a different dimension with his ability to attack the basket to score or get fouled. We also feel he has the desire and ability to be very good on the defensive end in our system. We needed to become less one-dimensional offensively, and Elijah adds that. He will complement some of our other pieces very well. He plays hard, and I think our fans are going to enjoy watching him compete.”

New Seawolves women’s head coach Matt Thune is adding more new recruits to the roster in his inaugural season at the helm of the program for the 2025-26. Last Thursday he announced that Lillee Duffin, Mahaila Harrison, Brooke Leo and Faith Mersburgh had all signed scholarship agreements.

Harrison and Mersburgh were revealed earlier this month while Duffin and Leo are the latest signees. Duffin is a 6-foot-1 forward who played two seasons of junior college at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. As a sophomore last year, she was named All-NWAC South Region Second Team after averaging 10.3 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game and shot .530.

“Lillee is a forward who can play both inside and out on the perimeter,” Thune said in a statement. “She has a unique eye for rebounding the ball at a high rate, as evidenced by some of her 20-plus rebound games while at Lane. I am especially excited about her vision of the game and how she makes the right reads as a forward. Lillee averaged 2.7 assists last season and had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, which will be a benefit at her position in our offensive system.”

Leo is a 5-11 guard and is just the second-ever British player in women’s program history. She represented both England and Wales in international competition in Northampton, England. She was the team MVP for the Charnwood College Riders of the WEABL each of the past two seasons. Leo led her team to the Northern Division title last year and will be classified as a freshman with four years of eligibility at UAA.

“Brooke is a hard-working wing who will bring length and athleticism to our team,“ Thune said in a statement. ”She has enjoyed success internationally in the UK and is mature beyond her years due to the structure of living away from home while pursuing her basketball dreams. She can hit shots from the perimeter, attack mismatches, and battle inside. Her versatility and competitive spirit will allow her to hit the ground running here at UAA.”

Sticking with women’s hoops but transitioning to the highest level of the sport, Anchorage’s Alissa Pili logged her second-most minutes and recorded her most points of the WNBA regular season this past Saturday. In a 101-78 win for the Minnesota Lynx over the Los Angeles Sparks, the second year pro and 2024 top-10 pick scored eight points in 10 minutes of action. She did so by going 4-of-5 shooting and also nabbed a pair of rebounds in addition to picking up three personal fouls.

Ketchikan’s Isaac Updike ran a personal best mark of 8 minutes, 13.64 seconds, and was the first to break tape in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Portland Track Festival on Saturday. In doing so, the 33-year-old not only shaved almost four seconds from his previous best time but it also marked the 13th best in U.S. history and met the standard to compete in the world championship. His last time representing the nation at the international stage was as a member of Team USA in 2023.

A pair of former elite collegiate skiers who are currently training with Alaska Pacific University won the Bird Ridge Full Climb trail race this past Sunday on Father’s Day. Anchorage’s Luke Jager won the men’s race in a time of 39 minutes, 58 seconds while Fairbanks’ Kendall Kramer won the women’s race with a mark of 45 minutes, 30 seconds.

2025 Bird Ridge Hill Climb

Bird Ridge Full Climb Male Overall

1: Luke Jager, Anchorage, 39:58; 2: Lars Arneson, Anchorage, 40:34; 3: Michael Earnhart, Eagle River, 41:46; 4: Galen Hecht, Anchorage, 42:08; 5: Ari Endestad, Anchorage, 42:32; 6: Kurtis Brumbaugh, Anchorage, 42:02; 7: David Ryland, Eagle River, 44:09; 8: Joshua Taylor, Wasilla, 44:10; 9: Chris Osiensky, Anchorage, 44:27; 10: Beck Haywood, Anchorage, 44:29; 11: Garrett Butts, Anchorage, 44:47; 12: Blake Hanley, Anchorage, 45:25; 13: Taylor Turney, Anchorage, 45:28; 14: Matthew Novakovich, Anchorage, 46:15; 15: Christopher Maus, Anchorage, 47:12; 16: Ethan Howe, Anchorage, 48:08; 17: Dylan Prosser, Anchorage, 48:08; 18: Ethan Eski, Anchorage, 48:22; 19: Mike Garvey, Anchorage, 48:26; 20: Breyden Nottingham, Eagle River, 48:27

Bird Ridge Full Climb Female Overall

1: Kendall Kramer, Fairbanks, 45:30; 2: Klaire Rhodes, Anchorage, 46:16; 3: Viviana Mina, Eagle River, 47:57; 4: Renae Anderson, Minneapolis, MN 48:11; 5: Meg Inokuma, Palmer, 48:39; 6: Katey Houser, Palmer, 49:21; 7: Taylor Deal, Anchorage, 49:21; 8: Shauna Severson, Eagle River, 50:23; 9: April McAnly, Eagle River, 51:17; 10: Sarah Cosgrave, Anchorage, 54:53; 11: Robin Welling, Anchorage, 55:11; 12: Lauren Spinelli, Anchorage, 55:26; 13: Megan Neale, Anchorage, 55:29; 14: Marit Flora, Anchorage, 55:46; 15: Zoe Copp, Anchorage, 56:37; 16: Calista Zuber, Anchorage, 56:37; 17: Audrey Hogenkamp, Carbondale, CO 57:32; 18: Sofija Spaic, Palmer, 57:34; 19: Alison Matthews, Anchorage, 58:03; 20: Eva Marley-Jester, Anchorage, 58:34

Jack’s Bench Boys Overall

1: Thale Randall, Willow, 21:35; 2: Finn Dudley, Anchorage, 24:05; 3: Denis Prosser, Anchorage, 24:47; 4: Liam Cuddy, Anchorage, 27:33; 5: Clark Brownson, Anchorage, 30:13; 6: Jonah Jacko, Anchorage, 31:35; 7: Agustin Inostroza, Anchorage, 32:02; 8: Finn Hamilton-Iverson, Anchorage, 34:15; 9: Julian Salao, Anchorage, 35:27; 10: David Taylor, Anchorage, 40:11

Jack’s Bench Girls Overall

1: Hana Varnell, Anchorage, 30:21; 2: Rienzi Witmer, Anchorage, 31:49; 3: Colette Leveque, Anchorage, 36:38; 4: Sophie Novakovich, Anchorage, 40:08; 5: Evey Oney, Eagle River, 42:14; 6: Jane Jacko, Anchorage, 45:50

How we care for the most vulnerable among us defines who we are as a society. In Alaska, where resources are limited and disparities are deep, continued Medicaid eligibility for Planned Parenthood is not just important — it is essential to the safety, health and survival of our communities, especially for survivors of violence, human trafficking and in addressing the ongoing crisis of our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR). Planned Parenthood plays a crucial role in supporting survivors locally and nationally.

Planned Parenthood offers a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed environment — one of the few places where survivors of violence can access essential services without shame or fear. In Alaska’s vast and often isolated regions, this access can be life-saving. Their providers understand the deep connection between reproductive healthcare and abuse: how coercion, control and violence make it difficult for survivors to advocate for their own bodies or get the care they need. Planned Parenthood’s mission-driven prioritization of immediacy is essential to Alaskans in crisis, or those who, due to control and coercion, have little ability to control their own freedoms and schedules. Same-day appointments at Planned Parenthood are often the best choice for survivors, who do not have the luxury of scheduling out their healthcare and waiting weeks for appointment times.

Planned Parenthood provides vital services like STI and HIV testing, emergency contraception and screenings for IPV and trafficking. Equally important, their providers are trained to recognize the signs of abuse and exploitation, including human trafficking, and can serve as a trusted first point of contact. Many survivors take their first steps toward safety because a Planned Parenthood provider helped them access legal support, advocacy, housing, or crisis intervention.

Equally important is the role they play in prevention. Through education about consent, bodily autonomy, and healthy relationships, Planned Parenthood empowers patients to understand and navigate their own lives. For many, Medicaid is the only option for healthcare — especially for those whose abusers or traffickers have restricted access to income, transportation or documentation. In my work with survivors, I’ve seen time and again how Planned Parenthood, through Medicaid eligibility, became their only consistent and accessible source of care.

As a mental health provider, I refer to Planned Parenthood because they embody culturally responsive, compassionate care. They meet people where they are — whether in crisis, recovery, or survival — and provide a bridge to medical, mental health, and community resources.

The connection between human trafficking and MMIR is urgent and undeniable. Indigenous people face some of the highest rates of violence in the U.S., yet legal, jurisdictional and systemic barriers often prevent them from seeking protection. When healthcare becomes financially or geographically inaccessible, the risks of violence, disappearance, and death increase. Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider in Alaska, often offering an increased sense of privacy for those who live in close-knit and small rural communities. Their services offer culturally informed, trauma-sensitive care, creating a safety net for Indigenous people and others navigating dangerous situations.

Without Medicaid eligibility, that safety net collapses. Removing it would not only create dangerous gaps in care — it would actively increase the vulnerability of those already at highest risk. Continued Medicaid eligibility for Planned Parenthood is not just a healthcare issue — it is a public safety necessity. Survivors rely on low-barrier, trauma-informed services to access care without fear, shame, or financial hardship. Removing this access would strip away one of the few consistent lifelines available to those navigating violence and exploitation. If we are truly committed to building a safer, more just Alaska, we must ensure that all people — especially those at highest risk — can access care that honors their dignity, safety, and humanity. Preserving Medicaid eligibility for Planned Parenthood is essential to supporting survivors and safeguarding our communities with the respect they deserve.

I hope Sens. Murkowski and Sullivian vote no on the proposed 2025 Federal budget reconciliation bill, HR 1, and hold the best interests of Alaskans at heart.

Josie Heyano is an Alaska Native woman from Tanana and Ekuk, and a licensed mental health provider. She is the founder and executive director of Signify Consulting, and a nationally recognized subject matter expert on human trafficking.

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Sunday, June 15, 2025

US Seattle Airport was thrown into a full-blown security crisis when a passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight issued a chilling mid-taxi threat that forced an immediate emergency ground stop, complete runway shutdowns, and massive police mobilization. The terrifying incident brought airport operations to a standstill, triggered flight cancellations and diversions, and unleashed widespread chaos as emergency teams raced to neutralize the threat and secure the aircraft while passengers were evacuated and subjected to heightened security screening.

Seattle Airport Thrown Into Chaos as Passenger Threat Forces Emergency Ground Stop and Massive Security Response

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was plunged into sudden turmoil on Saturday afternoon when a serious security scare unfolded aboard an Alaska Airlines-operated Horizon Air flight. The situation triggered the immediate closure of two runways, caused significant disruptions to flight operations, and drew a fast, coordinated response from various security forces and law enforcement agencies.

The alarming chain of events began just as the Horizon Air flight was preparing for departure to Walla Walla. According to officials, while the aircraft was still taxiing and had not yet taken off, a passenger allegedly made what authorities described as a “direct threat to the safety of the aircraft” during a conversation with a flight attendant. The gravity of the passenger’s words immediately raised red flags for the crew, who promptly notified ground control and airline security.

Without delay, air traffic controllers ordered the aircraft to halt its taxiing and redirected it away from the terminal to a secure location on the tarmac. Emergency response teams, including Port of Seattle Police, fire units, and specialized security personnel, quickly surrounded the aircraft to contain the situation and ensure the safety of everyone on board.

The Port of Seattle confirmed that as the situation unfolded, two of the airport’s major runways were shut down as a precaution, while inbound flights were temporarily halted or diverted. The incident sent shockwaves through the airport’s operations, causing widespread delays, flight cancellations, and ripple effects across Sea-Tac’s busy flight schedule. According to airport officials, at least six scheduled flights were canceled entirely, and two incoming flights were forced to divert mid-air to alternate airports.

Alaska Airlines disclosed in an official statement that as the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff, a passenger verbally made a serious threat to the safety of the flight while speaking with a member of the cabin crew. Following protocol, the aircraft was immediately redirected, and authorities were contacted.”

Although authorities have not disclosed the exact details of the threat, law enforcement officials emphasized that the seriousness of the passenger’s remarks required a full-scale security response to mitigate any potential danger. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed pending investigation, was taken into custody without any further incident. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members.

After the arrest, Port of Seattle Police and federal security teams boarded the aircraft to conduct a thorough inspection. Meanwhile, passengers were carefully escorted off the plane and underwent secondary security screening procedures as an added layer of precaution. Each passenger was re-screened by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel before being allowed to continue their journeys or rebook alternate flights.

TSA officials, in coordination with the Port of Seattle authorities, conducted a meticulous search of the aircraft to ensure no other security risks were present. The affected airplane will remain grounded until it successfully passes a full security clearance process conducted under enhanced safety protocols.

The sudden security alert not only disrupted normal airport operations but also triggered heightened concerns among travelers and airport staff. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a major gateway on the West Coast, was running close to full capacity at the time of the incident, intensifying the scale and complexity of the emergency operation.

Airline passengers throughout the airport reported long lines, extensive delays, and gate changes as airport officials worked tirelessly to minimize the broader operational fallout. While some travelers expressed frustration over missed connections and canceled flights, most acknowledged the necessity of the precautionary measures taken by the authorities to ensure safety remained the top priority.

A spokesperson for the Port of Seattle later addressed the media, stating: “Safety is our utmost concern. In this case, swift action by the flight crew, airport personnel, and law enforcement helped bring the situation under control quickly and without injury.”

While such incidents are rare, they highlight the importance of constant vigilance and the critical role that airline crew and airport security play in safeguarding passengers. Officials commended the Alaska Airlines crew for their professionalism and immediate response, which allowed for a controlled and coordinated intervention.

As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, and additional details regarding the passenger’s identity, motives, and the exact nature of the threat have not yet been publicly released. Authorities have confirmed that federal agencies, including the FBI, are involved in the ongoing inquiry.

US Seattle Airport descended into chaos after an Alaska Airlines passenger issued a terrifying mid-taxi threat, forcing an emergency ground stop, full runway closures, mass flight disruptions, and a rapid police lockdown.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex security challenges facing modern air travel and underscores the need for robust safety protocols that can quickly respond to unpredictable situations. For passengers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Saturday, it was a sobering demonstration of how swiftly travel plans can be upended when safety concerns arise mid-operation.