Andrew Kitchenman

A group of Homer folks launched their own news publication this morning, with Homer News veteran @maarmstrong.bsky.social at the helm as editor! Exciting things happening for the south pen!
#aknews
homerindependentpress.com/2026/01/01/h...

My parting thoughts on my time as the @alaskabeacon.com editor:

Learned something new today about Alaska @climatologist49.bsky.social and @alaskawx.bsky.social.

Alaska lawmakers override governor’s veto of public school funding, restoring services and teachers | Alaska Beacon The override eliminates a 5.6% year-over-year cut to public school funding, leaving districts with a small funding increase.

Alaska lawmakers override governor’s veto of public school funding, restoring services and teachers, reports James Brooks, @alaska.bsky.social, of @alaskabeacon.com: alaskabeacon.com/2025/08/02/a... #akleg

I'll be disappointed to see Andrew go! The @alaskabeacon.com has been better because of him.

If you're interested in being the Beacon's next editor, the job posting is here: statesnewsroom.com/staff-openin... #akleg #Alaska

Some personal news: In late August, I will be leaving Alaska and the Alaska Beacon to return to my home region of Philadelphia. I love Alaska and am proud of the work we've done at the Beacon. I look forward to seeing the work my colleagues do in the future.

In local news, the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum is holding a family fun fair from 1-4 p.m. Friday. There's free cake! (And games and activities for kids and families.)

It's the 125th anniversary of Alaska's historical library and museum. #akleg #Alaska

Alaska, if you are facing summer school programs disrupted or canceled due to the July 1 federal US Dept of Education funding freeze - I want to hear from you. DMs open or email csmith@alaskabeacon.com

New Orleans (1970), Philadelphia (1969), Los Angeles (1966), Baltimore (1965), Detroit (1964), and San Francisco (pre-1960) all recorded the fewest murders in at least 55 years through June this year.

Family sues over US detention in what may be first challenge to courthouse arrests involving kids A mother and her two young kids are fighting for their release from a Texas immigration detention center.

“He’s pale. He’s bruising. He cries every night.”

A detained Texas family says their son’s health is deteriorating: bit.ly/4ldATHp

Futurism Perfect Customer | Jun 10, 10:10 AM EDT by Maggie Harrison Dupré People Are Becoming Obsessed with ChatGPT and Spiraling Into Severe Delusions "What these bots are saying is worsening delusions, and it's causing enormous harm."

NEW: We investigated several stories of people who spiraled into severe, life-altering mental health crises after developing all-consuming obsessions with ChatGPT.

Screenshots we reviewed show the AI directly engaging with and supporting user delusions + conspiracies.

futurism.com/chatgpt-ment...

Opinion | Our State Cannot Survive This Bill

Bryce Edgmon and Cathy Giessel with an oped in the New York Times (gift link): www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/o... #akleg #Alaska

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

And here's the link, as well: us06web.zoom.us/j/8898239538...

Some of the Beacon's social posts had an incorrect link to tonight's opportunity for Beacon readers to meet the staff. The link is correct in the latest post.

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

Interested in learning more about the Alaska Beacon's coverage of Alaska policy and politics? We're holding a meet-and-greet, Q&A session on Zoom tomorrow, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Here's the link: us06web.zoom.us/j/8898239538... #akleg

Oh no — Bill Milks was one of the Department of Law's most senior assistant attorney generals on the civil side and a generally pleasant guy. I always had good conversations with him in the grocery store. #akleg

This article has now been updated with a comment from Sen. Murkowski supporting the attacks. It has a new headline to reflect that. #akleg

Pretty good thread here on advance coverage of this weekend's pro-democracy protests.

Alaska state judge dismisses murder case, citing widespread misconduct by local police | Alaska Beacon The state’s top prosecutor says she’s suspending most work with the Metlakatla Police Department until the department’s issues are addressed.

Alaska state judge dismisses murder case, citing widespread misconduct by local police, reports James Brooks @alaska.bsky.social for @alaskabeacon.com

Donate | Alaska Beacon

Alaska’s Legislature is aiming to end its session today. As a nonprofit, we’re proud to keep Alaskans informed on the legislation that affects their everyday lives.

If you’ve valued our work this year, can you help us continue serving the public with our journalism?
alaskabeacon.com/donate/

In the #akleg, the Senate has declined to recede from its budget amendments, formally triggering the creation of a budget conference committee, another step in the procedural dance toward the end of the legislative session, now 9 days away.

~45% of US corn production is now used to make ethanol, mostly for mixing into gasoline.

That's ~13% of all US crop land already used for energy production.

Using some of the same land for solar panels would capture 50-100 times more energy per acre.

AI in Education: Navigating the Thin Line Between Innovation and Integrity

Yet proponents argue that AI literacy represents an essential skill for future workplaces. “Students who learn to use these tools effectively will have advantages in careers where AI collaboration is becoming standard,” writes Osita Nwanevu on Bluesky, suggesting that education must adapt to technological realities rather than resist them.

I do not know, don't have the energy to find out, and am unsure I even want to know what "WebProNews" is or if there are human beings employed there, but I did not say this. www.webpronews.com/ai-in-educat...

I’m on Talk of Alaska right now: alaskapublic.org/listen

From Alaska Capitol’s cafeteria, author and illustrator claims Pulitzer Prize | Alaska Beacon Tessa Hull's 'Feeding Ghosts' was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for memoirs and biographies, placing her among America's top authors.

Tessa Hulls was making sandwiches in the Alaska Capitol when she learned she had won a Pulitzer Prize, reports James Brooks, @alaska.bsky.social, of @alaskabeacon.com: alaskabeacon.com/2025/05/05/f...

Ice broke on the Yukon River at Dawson, YT at 1056am MDT Wednesday. This is the tenth earliest break-up in 130 years of observations. Four of the ten earliest break-ups have occurred in the past decade. #ytwx #ClimateChange @radtek58.bsky.social @jkanadisk.bsky.social @climatologist49.bsky.social

New images could change cancer diagnostics, but ICE detained the Harvard scientist who analyzes them Without scientist Kseniia Petrova’s expertise, no one can fully unlock the data’s potential, putting crucial advancements in early cancer detection at risk.

Almost every line of this story would have been simply unbelievable a few months ago:

—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.

Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

A mountain goat drinks from a cascade on a rocky mountainside

The mountain goats are out on Mount Juneau! #Alaska

Reporter, Idaho Capital Sun • States Newsroom

Yes hello! We're hiring! Into Idaho state politics and policy? Come work with us! (Don't get caught sleeping on these benefits, either, now!)