On today’s episode of the Kenai Conversation, we’re joined by Erin Thompson, Jeff Helminiak and Jake Dye, formerly of the Peninsula Clarion to talk about their decision to resign from the paper and the future of local news on the Kenai Peninsula.

Yute Commuter Service is accepting donations through Saturday at 8 p.m. at 627 Funny River Road. The company asks that items be sorted and put in waterproof containers, like a trash bag.

From it's Soldotna hangar, a Bethel-based airline accepts donations and offers flights for Western Alaska residents impacted by a major storm. Plus, a library grant expands access to digital news archives around Alaska.

Incumbent Kalifornsky school board candidate Patti Truesdell appears to have fended off two challengers in her bid for reelection after absentee ballots were counted.

Absentee ballots change the outcome of a Kenai Peninsula school board race. State school board members send a proposed local funding regulation change back to the state. Plus, a popular Homer roadside landmark gets a new home in a community park.

Homer Electric Association restores power to more than 6,000 customers after strong winds on Wednesday. Amid a spike in federal immigration arrests, Alaskans brainstorm ways to support detainees and their families. Plus, a renaissance fair returns to Homer.

Borough Clerk Michele Turner says there are still more than 2,000 ballots to be counted, of which about 1,700 are absentee ballots.

Alaska LNG Project President Adam Prestidge doesn’t fault people for being skeptical about the project’s success. But he expects the skepticism to “fall away” as the project advances.

Federal funding for a program that subsidizes rural air service will continue for now despite the federal government shutdown. Plus, Alaska LNG Project developers meet with residents in Nikiski.

That’s the focus of a new group of state lawmakers – the so-called Alaska Gasline Caucus – that convened for the first time Tuesday in Anchorage.