The Nome Nugget

The Graphite One exploration camp, on the northern slopes of the Kigluaik Mountains.

Public comment period opens for Graphite One permit application

By Diana Haecker |

LEARNING— Visitors explore the newly renovated Bering Land Bridge Preserve Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.

New Bering Land Bridge Preserve Heritage Center opens doors after renovation

By Ariana Crockett O’Harra | The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve Heritage Center re-opened its doors on September 6 after spending nearly a year undergoing renovations.

SPEECH – Reverend Keith Bateman gives a speech during the Nome Nazarene 80th anniversary celebration on Friday, Sept. 12.

Nome Church of the Nazarene celebrates 80th anniversary

By Ariana Crockett O’ Harra

ALL SMILES—Tamara Klink on deck of the Sardinha 2, in Nome, on Sept. 11, 2025

Solo Northwest Passage sailor makes stop in Nome

By Ariana Crockett O’Harra

FEMALE – A female merlin is perched on a powerline scanning for prey. Females and immature merlins are browner overall in color. Females are also 10 percent larger and 30 percent heavier than males, which is a noticeable difference.

Merlin––a fast and feisty little falcon

The merlin is a spirited little falcon that blazes over the landscape in a blur of rapid wingbeats, often in pursuit of songbirds.

RED FOX SPARROW— A fox sparrow shows the “foxy” red plumage that gives these sparrows their name. Fox sparrows are widespread across North America and vary greatly in appearance from region to region. Only ours, the red fox sparrow––the northernmost variety––shows the extensive, rich reddish coloration for which the sparrow is named.

Fox Sparrow –– a shy, handsome songster

By Kate Persons |

A stranger uses his truck to help pull up one of the few remaining boats from the inner harbor, Friday. Port of Nome officials say most mariners departed the Bering Strait region by Wednesday, while others who missed the window made arrangements to shelter in place.

Region prepares for ex-typhoon Halong

By Jenni Monet, Ariana Crockett O'Harra and Diana Haecker | Communities across the Bering Strait region are preparing for remnants of Typhoon Halong, a mix of fast winds and high waves that could spill over into coastal flooding. The National...

Inalik (also spelled Inaliq) or Little Diomede Island at the edge of the Bering Strait, with Russia just 2.4 miles, makes it one of the most remote communities in the United States

On Little Diomede: A long wait for everything, including stable housing

By Jenni Monet | John Ahkvaluk isn’t just from Inalik (also spelled Inaliq), or Little Diomede. He was born on the remote island, in the Bering Strait, in a sod home by the light of a seal oil lamp. Today, at 65, he is still living there,...

Federal government shutdown may soon impact region

By Ariana Crockett O’Harra | The effects of the federal government shutdown could soon be felt in Nome and Western Alaska. A press release from Governor Dunleavy’s office last week said that Medicaid, Title IV-E Foster Care, and Adoption Assistance...

Region weathers storm with some flooding, prepares for upcoming storm on the weekend

By Diana Haecker and Ariana Crockett O’Harra | A storm on Wednesday caused severe flooding in Kotzebue, prompting mandatory evacuation orders to all residents of the city. In the Nome, Bering Strait and Norton Sound area, high water caused some...

Nome has a new mayor; voters approve sales tax increase

By Diana Haecker | Despite wind-driven rain during a proper Nome fall storm on election day, 424 Nome voters found their way to the polls and elected a new mayor for Nome. Ken Hughes won a decisive mandate with 265 votes over incumbent John K....

In their own words: Municipal candidates state their case

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, Nome voters will be casting their ballots for the following offices: Mayor of Nome, two Nome Common Council seats, two NJUS board seats and two School Board seats. The only contested race is for mayor as incumbent John K....

Public comment period opens for Graphite One permit application

By Diana Haecker | On Tuesday, Sept. 30, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened a 30-day public comment period in response to a permit application received from Graphite One as the Canadian exploration company is seeking permits to mine a graphite...

On October 7, voters will decide on a proposal to raise the sales tax by one point.

Voters to decide on increase in sales tax

By Diana Haecker | In the upcoming Oct. 7 municipal elections, Nome voters will be asked on the ballot if they approve a one percent sales tax hike from the current five percent to six percent, or not. The Nome Common Council had passed a budget in...

TELLER CULTURAL FESTIVAL— Barbara Weyiouanna, center, and Shannon Klescewski, right, share a laugh while dancing on Friday, Sept. 26, at the 19th Teller Cultural Festival.

Teller celebrates 19th Cultural Festival

By Ariana Crockett O’Harra and Diana Haecker | Dance groups from across the region flocked to Teller for the 19th annual Teller Cultural Festival, held last weekend, but none had to brave a more adventurous trip than the young dancers from White...

FIELD TRIP—The Port Commission took a field trip after their regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18. Harbormaster Lucas Stotts gave a guided tour of port facilities. Pictured are (left to right) Port Commission Chair Jim West Jr., Commissioner Gay Sheffield, Harbormaster Lucas Stotts, Acting Port Director Joy Baker, Port of Nome office manager Caitlin LeClair, Commissioner Charlie Lean and Commissioner Shane Smithhisler.

Port Commission gets a tour of port facilities

By Diana Haecker | With no action item on the docket, the Nome Port Commission breezed through a light agenda and then piled into a white van to get a guided tour of the port facilities, narrated by Harbormaster Lucas Stotts. Location names that...

BSNC proposes crew camp on 6th Avenue

By Diana Haecker | Finding regional employees to work in Nome is one thing. Housing them is a whole different story. In order to meet the challenge, local businesses and organizations – like Norton Sound Health Corporation currently building several...

Fire destroys home on the Beam Road

By Diana Haecker | A fire on mile one of the Beam Road completely destroyed the ATCO trailer home 77-year-old Paul Haskell and his dog were living in. According to Nome Volunteer Fire Chief Jim West Jr., the fire department was called out on Sunday...