Last week, the Kuskokwim community of Kwethluk welcomed hundreds of pilgrims for the glorification of St. Olga in the St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church. It was the first event of its size for the village of about 800 people, and it took many hands to pull off its unique set of logistics.

The Alaska senator was among a few Republicans on the Appropriations Committee who objected to clawing back money for foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Hoffman has served in the state Capitol, representing Southwest Alaska, since 1987. As he prepares to leave office, he said he thinks the state’s biggest unresolved issue is the affordability of living in Alaska, particularly with regard to the cost of energy.

For the chance to witness the glorification of a saint closely associated with healing women’s pain and suffering, dozens of women ventured by plane and boat to St. Olga's home village for her canonization.

A fire in the middle Kuskokwim community of Crooked Creek damaged three structures on Saturday, June 21 around 4 p.m., according to the Alaska Division of Fire and Forestry Protection. No injuries related to the fire have been reported.

The two-day glorification ceremony for Olga "Arrsamquq" Michael, known as Matushka Olga, brought together those drawn to her message of healing from afar, and the people of the region for whom she has long held a saint-like status.

A sculpture and signs were recently unveiled at Qin Cheghi, or Tanaina Peak, near Flattop as part of the Indigenous Place Names Project.

Some legislators said they saw the call as an attempt to prevent lawmakers from overriding the governor’s June vetoes, notably to public school funding.

“I think it's magical living here,” Emily Bokar said. “There’s just like wild beasts in your yard.”

A proposed change in regulations around how local governments contribute to school districts would cost the Unalaska City School District about $2 million. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development is proposing new rules that would limit local contributions for non-instructional services, or special funds. For Unalaska, that includes things like academic clubs and sports, preschool, community use of school buildings and food services.