18 Apr, 2026

Alaska Flag Day

The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly in the union. The Dipper is for the Great Bear—symbolizing strength. Benny Benson The Alaska flag was raised for the first time on July 9, 1927. The occasion […]

2 mins read

How the ammonia leak happened

The ship was 18 hours out when the leak started. A pipe in the engine room broke just where it entered a valve. They were able to shut that part of the system down, then the vessel headed back to Dutch Harbor to unload the catch and get a certified ammonia welder to fix the […]

1 min read

Ammonia leak shuts down Kloosterboer

Saturday Morning update: A drive down Ballyhoo to Kloosterboer early Saturday morning shows the road to be open. A fire truck is spraying water on the Excellence, the ship with the ammonia leak. A police officer said any information would have to come from the Coast Guard, who is in charge of the press releases. […]

1 min read

Unalaska celebrates Independence Day

The citizens of Unalaska turned out in big numbers Wednesday for a traditional, small-town celebration of America’s independence from the British Crown. A noon-time parade got the most attention as floats created by businesses and public agencies wowed the crowd with creativity and sometimes madness. The city’s Department of Public Works won the award for […]

1 min read

Begich Tours Kulluk in Seattle

Shell’s ice-class drilling rig prepares for summer in Beaufort Sea U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today got a first-hand look at the Kulluk Conical Drilling Unit as it is getting ready for work this summer in the Beaufort Sea. The Kulluk is owned by Shell and is one of the few ice-class drilling rigs in the […]

1 min read