The Nome Nugget 2g2v4r Alaska's Oldest Newspaper

AT WORK— William “Lee” Smith III is Nome’s new city manager.

New city manager tackles budget

By Diana Haecker

Nomeites demand justice for missing and murdered relatives

EARLY DUCKS – A pair of northern pintails, hen in the lead, wings past Fort Davis on April 28, this year. Pintails are among the first migrants to arrive in the spring, and usually are already paired up for the breeding season. During migration, drakes typically follow their mates to the hen’s established nesting area.

Northern Pintail––Elegant, early and abundant

The Nome Public Schools Board of Education ed the FY26 budget in a special session. Pictured is School Board President Darlene Trigg.

Nome Public Schools es budget with uncertainty of city and state funding

Despite a potential large reduction in funding from the city, the Nome Public Schools Board of Education approved the final budget for the 2025-2026 school year o

Senator Murkowski, pictured here at the Nome Investment Summit on April 18, 2025.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski continues to speak out

Senator Lisa Murkowski, (R-Alaska) attended the City of Nome’s Investment Summit on Friday, holding a keynote address and making time for an interview with The Nome Nugget.

APRIL 19 – Common eiders and glaucous gulls are feeding in open water and roosting on ice floes in front of Nome’s Swanberg Dredge. These hardy, northern species stay along the ice edge in the Bering Sea all winter. If there is open water close to our shores and food to eat, they can potentially be seen near Nome during any month of the year.

Early birds of Spring

April is the beginning of an exciting time of seasonal transition in Nome’s bird scene.

ACCOMPLISHED— The Northwest Campus UAF graduating Class of 2025 move their tassels, during the 49th Commencement Ceremony held at Old St. Joe’s on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Northwest Campus celebrates Class of 2025 1e661x

By Laura Robertson Faculty, dignitaries and families ed the Class of 2025 at Old St. Joe’s on Thursday, May 8, as 41 students — not all present — graduated from University of Alaska Fairbank’s Northwest Campus with master’s, bachelor’s and...

Alaska Senate votes on state budget, with $1,000 PFD z4844

By Anna Lionas The Alaska Legislature is working to finalize a tight state operating budget for 2026 with just over a week to go until the regular session is scheduled to end on May 21. The latest version proposes a $1,000 Permanent Fund Dividend...

New city manager tackles budget 1g401e

By Diana Haecker After eight months of temporary city managers at the helm of city hall, the City of Nome hired last month William “Lee” Smith III, 61, on a five-year contract to head the city’s istration. Now, don’t call him William. That...

STRONG— Wyatt Ahmasuk outpulls his opponent in the Stick Pull, during the NYO competition in Anchorage that started on April 24 and lasted for three days.

Two Nome teams compete at NYO 2z2d26

By Laura Robertson This year, two Nome teams competed at the Native Youth Olympic Games in Anchorage during the state event held last weekend in April. As usual, Nome-Beltz sent a team to compete, but this year, for the first time, Nome also sent...

Nomeites demand justice for missing and murdered relatives j1p1b

Community took to the streets during the May 5 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day march from City Hall to the Rec Center in Nome. Photo by Anna Lionas By Laura Robertson On Monday afternoon, Bering Street was filled with red...

Potential increase in state funding provides hope to districts 6f2q65

IN COMMITTEE–The Senate Finance Committee during their April 23 meeting where they introduced a new version of House Bill 57, which proposes an increase in funding to school districts. Photo by Anna Lionas By Anna Lionas It’s coming down to...

Graphite One’s feasibility study reveals proposed mining plans 6m714j

By Anna Lionas On April 23, Graphite One Inc. released the feasibility study for the planned graphite mine on the Seward Peninsula. With the study complete, the Canadian mining company can now begin the process of applying for the state and...

Nome Public Schools es budget with uncertainty of city and state funding 6h3l1b

Despite a potential large reduction in funding from the city, the Nome Public Schools Board of Education approved the final budget for the 2025-2026 school year of $ 18.5 million, during a Tuesday night special session. On Monday, the Nome Common...

Sen. Lisa Murkowski continues to speak out 31451z

Senator Lisa Murkowski, (R-Alaska) attended the City of Nome’s Investment Summit on Friday, holding a keynote address and making time for an interview with The Nome Nugget. Top of mind is the current istration’s policy to upend governmental...

PRESENT— With a uniquely Nome-sense of humor, Nome Mayor John Handeland gifted Senator Lisa Murkowski with an oosik, the private parts of a male walrus, as an appropriate tool to take back to Congress.

As gateway to the Arctic, Nome prepares for future development d124q

An illustrious line-up of speakers attracted a large audience as the City of Nome held its first Investment Summit on Friday, April 18 at Old St. Joe’s to discuss the future of Nome in light of a planned port expansion, changes brought on due to...

Mike Morgan won the 2025 Cannonball race, held on Saturday, April 19, 2025

Mike Morgan wins Cannonball race 6q4h4a

The roar of snowmachines filled the Nome outer harbor on Saturday, as 20 Nome Cannonball snowmachine racers took off to run laps around Nome, with the harbor being the start and finish point. The 2025 Cannonball race marked the last snowmachine race...

REAL ID deadline is approaching 4i71a

The REAL ID deadline is coming up shortly, on May 7. People will need a REAL ID-compliant identification card to board a domestic flight or enter a military base or other federal facilities. A driver’s license with a star in the corner will meet...