La'shawn Donelson

1 week ago | youralaskalink.com | La'shawn Donelson

Sitka residents are heading to the polls to decide whether to put new limits on cruise ship tourism—an issue that's stirred passionate debate in this small Southeast Alaska town of just over 8,000 people. At the heart of the special election is a single ballot question: Should Sitka cap cruise traffic to help preserve the town’s quality of life? If passed, the proposal would ban cruise ships carrying more than 250 passengers from visiting before May 1 or after September 30.

1 week ago | youralaskalink.com | La'shawn Donelson

Kids under 18 might soon catch a free ride on Anchorage city buses — thanks to a proposal aimed at making public transit more accessible and affordable for local families. Assembly member George Martinez is leading the charge, saying the move could offer real economic relief. “It’s about giving them safe, reliable access to public transportation all year round,” Martinez said.

1 week ago | youralaskalink.com | La'shawn Donelson

Tucked just off Alaska’s Parks Highway near Denali State Park, the Alaska Veterans Memorial stands as a peaceful place to honor the men and women who served in the military. Located at Mile 147, the memorial was built in 1983 and officially dedicated in 1984 by then-Governor Bill Sheffield. At the time, Alaska was the only state without a dedicated veterans memorial. Since then, the site has expanded to include five towering concrete panels, each representing a branch of the military.

2 weeks ago | youralaskalink.com | La'shawn Donelson

Pete Daley, a welding instructor at Hutchison High School, has been named Alaska’s 2025 Teacher of the Year — an honor he calls both exciting and humbling. “I just feel like I’m doing yeoman’s work — just doing my job like anybody else,” Daley said. “But to be acknowledged for it, it’s an honor.”What makes the recognition even more meaningful? Daley was nominated by one of his own students — a gesture he says deeply touched him. “That’s high praise,” he said. “Being nominated by your student.

2 weeks ago | youralaskalink.com | La'shawn Donelson

One of Anchorage’s oldest homes is once again open to the public. The historic Oscar Anderson House — built in 1915 when Woodrow Wilson was president — has reopened following a series of extensive renovations. Sam Combs with Alaska Preservation guided visitors through the updates, highlighting how much of the original structure was made with whatever materials were on hand, including crates. One of the biggest structural challenges?