Published Jul 3, 2024 by Gavin Struve

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) has announced the first men’s basketball signing since Frank Ostanik was named head coach in early June. And with it, we get a glimpse at what Ostanik’s vision for the program and its players may look like in his second tenure.

On Tuesday, the Nanooks publicized their signing of Jalai O’Keith, a 6-foot-6 guard from Chula Vista, California who has played collegiately at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and Central Washington University (CWU). The announcement, via press release, comes one week after news of an assistant coach, Tobin Karlberg, being hired.

As a fifth-year senior on his third college stop, O’Keith’s prior collegiate experience indicates that he should be ready to contribute right away. He scored in double figures nine times last season and put up averages of 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 15.8 minutes per game for ELAC.

O’Keith’s 3.2 3-point attempts per game were second-most for ELAC and would have narrowly ranked first on UAF’s 2023-24 team. He took just over half of his shots from long distance and made a respectable 34.8% of those tries while also shooting 42.9% from the field and 66.7% from the free throw line.

Published Jul 3, 2024 by @adndotcom

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed a measure into law last week that boosted a college scholarship paid to high-performing Alaska graduates, and expanded the program’s eligibility qualifications.

House Bill 148 broadly passed the Legislature during the last legislative session. Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, was the only no vote among 60 legislators.

The measure, signed into law by the governor Friday, boosts each of the performance scholarship’s three award amounts by almost 50%. The top tier has now increased from $4,755 to $7,000 per year.

The merit-based scholarship hadn’t increased since the program was first established by the Legislature in 2011. Tuition at the University of Alaska has substantially risen over the same period — the current cost per year for in-state students is about $6,500, not including room and board.

The performance scholarship increase comes after the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents voted in May to increase the UA Scholars Award from $12,000 to $15,000 — the first increase since 2016. The award is offered to the top 10% of Alaska high school students to then study at the University of Alaska or its community colleges.

Alaska students eligible for both programs will soon get up to $1,500 more per semester to study in the state.

Since the performance scholarship was first paid in 2012, over 33,000 Alaska students have collectively received $113 million from the program. But it has recently seen challenges.

Published Jul 2, 2024 by Nick Sorrell

After three years in development, HEX Cook Inlet LLC (HEX) and Furie Operating Alaska have announced that in partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), and the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration, the first Beyond Visual Line of Sight test program will be conducted over the Cook Inlet on July 10.

Besides the UAF Alaska Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration Program, Raytheon Technologies played a crucial role in making this possible. HEX received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct the 15-mile flight.

This is the first waiver approved in the United States for a flight to and from an offshore platform and the second waiver issued by the FAA in the State of Alaska.

The initial test flight will commence at Furie’s Processing Facility in Nikiski, Alaska, and fly along the pipeline corridor to Furie’s offshore gas platform. Flying at around 50 knots, it will take approximately 30 minutes to fly the 15-mile route. Once refueled and a payload is attached, the drone will return to Furie’s Onshore Processing Facility.

Published Jul 2, 2024 by Your Alaska Link

The University of Alaska Fairbanks' new College of Indigenous Studies is in need of a logo.

Anyone interested in working on this project can submit their portfolios and resumes online.

The deadline is July 8.

Considerations for you if chosen:

• The final logo will adhere to the University of Alaska Fairbanks brand color guidelines.
• The projected date of completion of the logo is 8/30/2024.
• Ability to work with a team on revisions and fine-tuning.

Applicants are encouraged to review the College of Indigenous Studies website to learn more about the College and its campuses, departments, and programs.

Published Jul 2, 2024

The Fourth of July often brings thoughts of festive celebrations like parades, picnics and fireworks, but what does honoring the nation’s independence mean? What are our rights, but also our responsibilities to a healthy democracy? How do you reflect on what freedom means, and what’s the best way for us all to move forward as a united nation? We discuss historical and philosophical context on our democracy and what freedom requires of us all on this next Talk of Alaska.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Terry Kelly – Associate Professor & Chair of Philosophy, University of Alaska Anchorage
• Sam Woolsey – Social Studies Teacher, Bettye Davis East High School

Published Jul 2, 2024 by @uscg

Lt. Shamir Tyner relieved Lt. Samuel Krakower as commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans (WPC-1110), Monday, during a change-of-command ceremony at Coast Guard Sector Key West.

Capt. Jason Ingram, Sector Key West commander, presided over the event.

Krakower was the fifth commanding officer of the cutter since assuming command July 2022. He will transfer to the University of Alaska Anchorage to pursue his Master of Science degree in Arctic Security as part of a Coast Guard-sponsored Advanced Education assignment.