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Showing posts from September, 2025

🔪🥘💲 Best Cookware Deals 2025: How to Save at the Sur La Table Anniversary Sale

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How Home Chefs Can Actually Save Money at the Sur La Table Anniversary Sale Sur La Table Round Baker with Lid, 2 qt. $19.72 Source:  Sur La Table 🔎 This article is an independent consumer report, not sponsored or paid by Sur La Table. The  Sur La Table Anniversary Sale 2025  is one of the best opportunities of the year for home chefs to stock up on kitchen essentials and premium cookware. But not every discount is created equal.  To truly stretch your dollar, you need to know which deals are worth it, and which ones to skip. Here’s your guide to shopping smart, saving money, and making sure your new gear actually lasts. ✅ What’s Actually a Good Value Premium cookware brands Le Creuset, Staub, and other high-end cookware lines carry hefty markups year-round. If you see discounts of  30–50% off , that’s often the best time to invest in a Dutch oven, braiser, or cast-iron skillet that will last decades. Le Crueset Signature Dutch Oval Dutch Oven $299.96 Source:...

🔬🧬🧪 Governor Dunleavy Declares Sept. 14–20 as Forensic Science Week in Alaska

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Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Governor Dunleavy Declares Sept. 14–20 as Forensic Science Week in Alaska ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Sept. 14, 2025)  — Governor Mike Dunleavy has officially declared the week of September 14–20 as  Forensic Science Week  in Alaska, honoring the work of forensic scientists, crime-scene investigators, and evidence technicians across the state. The proclamation was released on the  official governor’s website . The proclamation recognizes the critical role these professionals play in the justice system, from processing DNA samples and digital evidence to reconstructing crime scenes and testifying in court. “Forensic science is the backbone of evidence-based justice. Without their dedication and expertise, many crimes would remain unsolved, and victims would go without answers,” Dunleavy said in a statement. (Source:  Governor’s Office ) Unique Challenges in Alaska Knik, Alaska/Headlines.357 Forensic experts in ...

💰 Official PFD Payment Schedule & Eligibility 2025

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The PFD is more than just an annual check. For many families it’s a financial lifeline. In 2025, applicants confirmed as “Eligible-Not Paid” by certain cutoff dates will see their dividends released in late August, September, and October. That means some households may already have received their funds, while others are waiting for October’s mass payments. The state stresses that direct deposit applicants typically see faster processing than those receiving paper warrants (physical checks).   Source: State of Alaska - Permanent Fund Dividend Division ( pfd.alaska.gov ). The text and dates below reflect the PFD Division's published wording and payment schedule.  Payment Schedule • 2024 (and prior year) dividend applications that are in “Eligible-Not Paid” status on August 13, 2025 , will be distributed on August 21, 2025 . • 2024 (and prior year) dividend applications that are in “Eligible-Not Paid” status on September 3, 2025 , will be distributed on Septem...

📰 Global Crossroads: Trump’s Tribute, Campus Chaos, Gaza Clashes, Nepal Erupts

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  Trump takes charge after Charlie Kirk’s death Official 2025 inaugural portrait of Donald Trump by Daniel Torok. Trump’s quick move to take personal control of the narrative, from funeral logistics to awarding Kirk the nation’s highest civilian honor, shows how seamlessly he is positioning himself as the central communicator for the conservative movement. With Kirk’s Turning Point USA having mobilized millions of young conservatives, Trump’s tribute doubles as a way of consolidating influence over that base. 👉  What it means:  Expect Trump to increasingly bypass traditional GOP institutions, taking on the role of movement figurehead, not just candidate.

🍂 Cozy Vintage Vibes: Thrifty Fall Decor Trends for 2025

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 As autumn rolls in this September, the buzz across  Pinterest  and  Etsy  is clear: Fall 2025 is all about  Rustic‑Vintage DIY Decor . Warm earthy tones, imperfect textures, and thrift‑friendly finds are defining the season. If you’re looking to style your home without breaking the bank, here’s how to embrace this year’s most popular fall trend. Fall Decor/Headlines.357 ✨ The Trend: Rustic Meets Vintage According to  Pinterest’s 2025 Fall Trend Report , vintage aesthetics are dominating autumn mood boards. Think  Art Deco revival, bold tiles, polka dots, and caffeine‑inspired neutrals.  Meanwhile,  Etsy’s trending fall products  spotlight cozy, handmade items like felt pumpkins, mushroom garlands, chunky yarns, and rustic wood signs. The sweet spot? Mixing nostalgia with DIY charm. Picture this: a thrifted frame filled with botanical prints, paired with a handmade felt pumpkin pillow and a rustic apple‑harvest wreath. It’s all abou...

💭 How Does One Save a Divided Democracy?

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🇺🇸 How to Save a Divided Democracy Lady Liberty, Liberty Island A democracy under strain cannot be healed by institutions alone, nor by citizens acting in isolation. It requires both. The path forward blends strong structures with everyday habits of civic responsibility. 1. Strengthen Institutions Protect independent courts, a free press, and impartial election systems. Preserve checks and balances that restrain power, even when it benefits one’s “side” in the short term. 2. Reduce Polarization Explore reforms like ranked-choice voting or multiparty systems that reduce “winner-take-all” hostility. Encourage forums and media that value constructive debate over outrage. 3. Foster Civic Education Teach not just the mechanics of voting, but also the responsibilities of compromise, tolerance, and defense of free speech. Promote media literacy so truth can withstand misinformation. 4. Address Inequality Strengthen policies that give every citizen a fair stake—education, healthcare, opportu...

🌄 Alaska Pulse: Rain, Risks & Community Resilience

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Hey Alaska watchers! Mother Nature is reminding us she’s not taking breaks. Down in the Portage Valley, heavy rains are putting folks on alert with landslide and tsunami concerns, even closing the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center, cutting short an Airport Heights School field trip. Meanwhile, Juneau is again bracing for glacial floodwaters as Suicide Basin pours into the Mendenhall River. These aren’t distant warnings; they’re happening now. Here’s what’s going on, what scientists are saying, and why you should care. Key Stories Begich, Boggs Visitors Center Source: Girdwood.com Portage Valley Flooding & Begich-Boggs Visitor Center Closure Saturated by persistent, heavy rain, the Portage Glacier area is at increased risk for a landslide to fall into Portage Lake—and potentially trigger a local tsunami near the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center. As a precaution, Forest Service staff have been pulled from the visitor center, which is now closed and will remain so while conditions are reassessed...

🎬 Sean Astin Takes the SAG-AFTRA Reins

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  Sean Astin giving a talk at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Source:  Daniel Schwen Sean Astin—best known for playing Samwise Gamgee in  The Lord of the Rings , Mikey in  The Goonies , and Rudy—has been elected the new president of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing about  160,000  performers and media professionals.  Los Angeles Times +3 EW.com +3 AP News +3 Here are the highlights: Astin won with ~79% of the vote over challenger Chuck Slavin.  EW.com +2 Los Angeles Times +2 Michelle Hurd, known for roles like  Star Trek: Picard , is the new secretary-treasurer.  EW.com +2 SAG-AFTRA +2 He’s succeeding Fran Drescher, whose leadership included guiding the union through major labor actions in recent years.  Los Angeles Times +1 Astin is stepping into this leadership position during a time of change: negotiations are coming up, and challenges include artificial intelligence, streaming service demands, studio consolidatio...

🇺🇸 U.S. Headlines and Analysis for September 13, 2025

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  A. Charlie Kirk Assassination & Fallout Key Facts & Timeline Victim and Incident : Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at an event at Utah Valley University.  ABC News +2 AP News +2 Suspect : 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson has been arrested. He had no prior criminal record. According to family statements, he had become increasingly political and critical of Kirk.  AP News +1 Evidence : Reports indicate ammunition with anti-fascist or meme-based messages; messages in a chat app; surveillance footage tying Robinson to the scene. Investigators believe he acted alone.  AP News +1 Political & Social Reactions Erika and Charlie Kirk Source:  Erika Kirk Instagram Erika Kirk (widow) : She has vowed to continue Charlie Kirk’s work. The “American Comeback” college tour will go ahead this fall; AmericaFest in December remains scheduled.  Politico +1 President Trump : Called for the death penalty for th...

Massive Federal Grant Cuts Hit Alaska’s Native Students Hard. Here’s What’s Really Happening at UAF

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University of Alaska Fairbanks Source: UAF Let’s talk about something that’s hitting home for a lot of Alaskans ... especially students and families in Fairbanks and around the state.  The University of Alaska Fairbanks just got word from the U.S. Department of Education: millions of dollars in federal grants are going away.  We’re talking about crucial funding for workforce development and degree programs, money that pays for classes, scholarships, job training, and so much more.