March 1st, 2022 by The Northern Light

MARCH 1 - APRIL 5, 2022

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Down printer holds up diplomas for UAA grads

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Something to do, plus a beautiful view

Eastern Europe sees its largest invasion since World War II By Dylan Flos arts1@thenorthernlight.org

Thursday, February 24, 4 AM. 3 million people woke to the sound of air raid sirens slicing through the stillness of the morning. The roads of Kyiv were filled with vehicles desperate to leave the city, and those that couldn’t escape huddled together in underground metro stations, hoping, praying that they, their families, and their homes would be safe from the missile strikes pounding into the ground above them. By the following day, much of the City of Churches lay in ruins. In Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the nation following the attacks, he estimated that 316 Ukrainians had been injured. 137 had been killed.‌ February 24 marked the beginning of what has become the largest military operation in Europe since World War II. Russian forces invaded Ukraine from the north, east, and south, by land, air, and sea. Significant shelling occurred in the capital and largest city, Kyiv, as well as all along the Russian-Ukrainian land border. Warships in the Black Sea besieged the Ukrainian coast. The Russian invaders have been accused of pointing their weaponry at civilian targets, including missiles hitting residential buildings and hospitals, shelling of a school, and tanks targeting civilian vehicles as well as at least one ambulance transporting a patient. Missiles also hit an oil depot in Vasylkiv, igniting it, and the Russians also quickly made a target of the nuclear disaster zone of Chernobyl.‌ Despite U.S extraction efforts and misinformation re-

Russian forces from the North first headed for Chernihiv, a city near the border of Belarus. At 14:25 local time on February 24, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the Chernihiv was surrounded, and the siege began. Ukrainians within the city claim that missiles hit hospitals as well as a kindergarten in the city, and the Chernihiv historic cinema is confirmed to have been destroyed. Once the city was blockaded, Russian troops were free to pass by and head towards Kyiv, though the siege continued. Ukrainian forces claim to have defeated a Russian force that had attempted to enter and capture the city, and that several Russian tanks had been seized.‌ Street-fighting has continued in Kyiv through the weekend, where Ukrainian defenders have prevented the Russians from taking complete control of the city. Late Thursday night, some 20-30 Russian helicopters and airborne troops took Antonov Airport, a large cargo airport outside of Kyiv, giving the invaders an easy-access air bridge to quickly transport troops into the heart of the conflict. The 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard led a quick counteroffensive, eventually encircling the Russians. The airport flipped back to Russian control the next day after reinforcements arrived through Belarus; limited information is available beyond that point. ‌ It is known that Ukrainian Alpha Group forces destroyed an entourage of armored vehicles outside Hostomel, and that a significant amount of personnel and equipment casualties have occurred. The Antonov AN-225 Mriya, the world’s largest airplane, was based at the airport,

PHOTO BY JAY GUZMAN GRAPHIC BY JIAN BAUTISTA

Russian troops have been accused of targeting civilians, including firing upon emergency services and missiles aimed at residential buildings, schools, and hospitals.

engagement. The Ministry of Defense has also stated that the airport is likely too damaged at this point to be of much use to either side.‌ In the South, off the Black Sea coast, the invasion began with cruise missiles and ballistics targeting several major cities in the Kherson Oblast. Once the bombing had begun and air sup-

PHOTO COURTESY UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE

President Zelensky has refused to leave Ukraine, leading his people from the striets of Kyiv, broadcasting messages from his smartphone

garding his whereabouts, and a clear threat against him and his family from the Russians, President Zelensky remains in Kyiv. “I stay in the capital. I stay with my people.”‌ thenorthernlight.org

and was reported destroyed on February 26. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense denies that the airport is under Russian control, stressing that the Battle of Hostomel is an ongoing military facebook.com/tnlupdates

port arrived, ground forces entered Southern Ukraine through Crimea, which was annexed by Russian forces in 2014. A naval blockade in the Black Sea prevented any Ukrainian resup@tnl_updates

@tnl_updates

ply or reinforcements through the water, and soon troops were nearing the city of Kherson. A battalion of Ukrainian soldiers was tasked with destroying infrastructure en route to the city to slow the Russian advance. As mines were set on the Henichesk Bridge, Russian troops were too close to allow for a proper retreat and detonation; Vitalii Skakuun instead detonated the explosions manually, sacrificing his life in the process.‌ That evening, another group of Ukrainian guards defending Zmiinyi Island, south of Ukraine near Romania, made a last stand against a Russian warship. After an approaching warship radioed the island, telling the guards to surrender, the Ukrainians responded simply, “Russian warship, go f*ck yourself.” All 13 guards lost their lives, and Zmiinyi Island was captured, but their final words went viral online and greatly contributed to the visibility of the Ukrainian defense cause.‌ Ukraine has requested foreign aid in defending against Russia, with common sentiment being that though today the war is only in Ukraine, it will soon push into all of Europe. Neither NATO nor any individual nation has sent troops to Ukraine, though on Sunday, February 27, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark told the country youtube.com/tnlnews

that individuals can volunteer to join international brigades dedicated to fighting for Ukraine. President Zelensky urged any foreigners with military experience to come to Ukraine and aid in the fight, saying that anyone willing to fight will be armed and outfitted to the best of Ukraine’s capabilities.‌ A delegation of Ukrainian officials will meet with negotiators in Belarus at an unspecified time in the near future for potential peace talks. President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus has guaranteed that the delegation will remain safe, stating that all missiles and aircraft based in Belarus will stay grounded for the peace talks. President Zelensky has made it clear he wants peace above anything, but that the Ukrainians will not surrender to Russian demands. Putin has since put Russian nuclear forces on “high alert,” seemingly in an effort to escalate tensions and put additional pressure on the Ukrainian representatives.‌ In response to the potential for peace talks, Zelensky stated “I do not believe much in the result of this meeting - but let them try so that not a single Ukrainian citizen has doubts that I as president did not try to stop the war when there was a chance, albeit little.”‌ soundcloud.com/tnlnews

NEWS

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022

Biden issues sanctions in response to Russian invasion By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

On Feb. 24, US President Joe Biden announced a slew of new sanctions against Russia after Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated an invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions, according to Biden, are designed to inflict long-term pain on Russia while minimizing the effects on the western world. “We are going to stunt the ability to finance and grow the Russian military. We’re going to impose major — and we’re going to impair their ability to compete in a high-tech 21stcentury economy. We’ve already seen the impact of our actions on Russia’s currency, the Ruble, which early today hit its weakest level ever — ever in history. And the Russian stock market plunged today. The Russian government’s borrowing rate spiked by over 15 percent.” Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made a statement on Thursday saying, “Ratchet the sanctions all the way up. Don’t hold any back. Every single available tough sanction should be employed, and should be employed now.” Leaders in the European Union and around the world also announced sanctions in addition to the ones already imposed on Russia earlier in the week for its initial movement of troops into the separatist-held regions of eastern Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday, “sanctions toward Russia will be on the level of the aggressions it is itself guilty of — on the mili-

PHOTO COURTESY NPR

SWIFT is a secure messaging network used by banks to conduct transactions around the world. Banning Russia is considered one of the most extreme actions and would cripple the ability of Russian companies to engage in world trade. A country that has been cut off from SWIFT in the past is Iran. Executive director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University Alexandra Vacroux was quoted by NPR as saying, Iran “lost half of their oil export

PHOTO COURTESY THE WHITE HOUSE

President Biden announced a slew of sanctions in a speech early Friday

tary and economic level, as well as the field of energy, we will be without weakness.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “today, in light of Russia’s reckless and dangerous military strike, we are imposing further, severe sanctions” Japan announced it would impose financial sanctions on Russian institutions and individuals, and limit exports of military equipment to the country. Biden was challenged at the press conference, being asked why removing Russia from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications was not included. In response, Biden said, “The sanctions that we have proposed on all their banks is of equal consequence — maybe more consequence than SWIFT — number one. Number two, it is always an option. But right now, that’s not the position that the rest of Europe wishes to take.”

revenues and 30% of their foreign trade.” The move would likely hurt Europe economically, which, in 2020, traded $197 billion worth of goods with Russia. Also, the EU gets roughly a third of its natural gas from Russia, with Germany being the largest consumer of Russian gas, getting around half its energy consumption from them. Markets around the world dropped Thursday on news of the invasion, and the price of Brent crude rose to over 100 dollars a barrel. Russia is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and produces around 10% of the world’s oil supply. On Friday, the US announced sanctions against Putin personally and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Saturday, a consensus was reached among European nations Russia’s access to SWIFT, and in a joint statement with the US announced the removal of

UN Security Council meeting Feb. 24, Russia vetoes resolution denouncing their invasion into Ukraine

certain Russian banks and the Russian Central Bank from the SWIFT system. The US is sending 7,000 additional troops to Germany to help bolster European defenses and reassure NATO allies. Over the past month the US has already moved more than 5,000 troops into Poland. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement, “NATO is the strongest alliance in history, and make no mistake; we will defend and protect every ally against any attack and every inch of NATO territory.” Biden has made it clear that US troops will not be sent into Ukraine to assist in defending the country. Russia has spent the past year building up forces on Ukraine’s border. As Russian troop numbers began to swell in December 2021, the US and other countries increased the supply of aid into Ukraine to help deter and stop a potential Russian invasion, sending stinger missiles and javelins into the country. Putin has made several demands of western nations that include a promise NATO will not expand eastward and assurances that Ukraine will never become a member. NATO has flatly rejected these requests citing that NATO membership is open to any country that wishes to join. Over the past month, the Biden administration has escalated warnings of an imminent invasion into Ukraine by Russia. In response to this, Russia firmly denied any such plans. Biden made a surprising move by publicly sharing intelligence about potential disinformation campaigns and false flag operations Putin could use to justify an invasion. Biden also rallied EU and NATO allies to present a united front in the face of aggressive actions by Putin and coordinate sanctions should Russia invade. On Friday, at the UN Security Council meeting, the US requested a vote for a resolution

denouncing the invasion. The US helped draft the proposal and 11 members voted in favor. Russia, one of the five council members who have veto power, rejected the resolution. Alaska congressional members have been sounding off on the crisis and condemned Putin’s actions. In a recording, US senator Lisa Murkowski said, “what Putin has done we condemn in the harshest, strongest possible terms, there needs to be punishment there needs to be accountability.” From a statement issued by US Representative Don Young, “Freedom-loving people everywhere have long known Vladimir Putin to be an authoritarian thug. Overnight, he continued his attacks on Ukraine’s sovereignty by commencing unprovoked all-out war.” Further on it reads, “America doesn’t back down from dictators, and we won’t start now. Our second-to-none military, vast availability of natural resources, and committed team of international allies must now stand together to face Putin’s aggression with courage and resolve.” The invasion has seized the attention of both students and staff at UAA, with the news landing during a particularly intense time of the academic year: midterms. Some students have had to make adjustments to the break-

ing news, such as the members of the Model United Nations of Alaska, who held their Spring Council on Feb. 25 and 26. Model UN requires students to take account of real-world events when conducting the simulation and, not surprising, resolutions regarding the crisis abounded. UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell sent out a statement by email on Friday expressing solidarity with the people of Ukraine and recognition of US military personnel during this challenging time. He wrote, “People are never truly free until they can be free of fear; free of war; and free to live in peace so they can decide who will govern them and how they will be governed.” Parnell voiced sympathy for students and faculty with ties to Ukraine, Russia and Eastern Europe. He is advising those who may be struggling with the situation to reach out to the Student Health and Counseling Center (907-786-4050, uaa_studenthealth@uaa.alaska. edu), or Dean of Students Office (907-786-1214, uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu). He concluded his email by writing, “In times of uncertainty, our community comes together, stands together, and provides hope for one another. That’s what makes us strong.”

PHOTO COURTESY CNN

Oil prices spiked on news of Russian invasion into Ukraine

NEWS

Down printer holds up diplomas for UAA grads By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

After years of effort, thousands of dollars and grueling trials of the pandemic, the 2021 fall graduates of UAA have had to wait to get their diplomas due to some technical difficulties at the registrar office. According to Registrar Lindsey Chadwell, the printer used to ink the longsought diplomas was discovered broken when the office went to print them after the winter break. Variations of the phrase “earn your degree,” and “get your diploma” are plastered all over campus and on UAA’s website. A diploma is the proverbial carrot that motivates students to work hard and eschew fun. It symbolizes a student’s entire academic achievement, from kindergarten all the way up through college. It’s the key to future careers. To say the diploma is important is an understatement, and it’s a major problem if UAA cannot produce them in a timely manner. Graduates might leave Anchorage or the state; they move on with their lives and become preoccupied with new responsibilities. It’s easy to imagine that some will forget to follow up if printing them takes too long. Or an employer might need it right now, as in the case of UAA graduate Hannah Chimenti. She reached out to The Northern Light regarding her situation via email. In the email, she wrote, “Currently, the registrar is unable to print diplomas. Their printer broke. There is a backlog of diplomas that includes December graduates and people like me.” Chimenti graduated from UAA in 2008 and received a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She ran into the problem when she contacted the registrar’s office to get a copy of her diploma for a job overseas. She received a job offer in Tokyo, and her new employer required, among other things, an “apostille (ah-poh-steel) diploma.” Speaking with Chimenti, the apostille diploma is one “that is notarized, gone through certain authorities.” She was told by the registrar’s office that diplomas would be sent to the Lieutenant Governor’s office to receive the apostille before going to her.

PHOTOS COURTESY UAA/JAMES EVANS

To get the apostille, students must request it from the registrar’s office, it is not done for every diploma. The apostille is a part of an international treaty, the Apostille Treaty. Countries that have agreed to it use the apostille to confirm the authenticity of official documents issued in other countries. It is common for employers and universities overseas to request an apostille diploma to verify education. Chimenti was informed by the registrar that the printer was broken and that they had just gotten approval to purchase a new one. Of course, she was concerned with her new job prospect. Although the university could get her an apostille transcript and letter explaining the situation, she was still wary of how this situation may reflect on her. As she said, “I’m trying to build a good reputation, and part of that is I come from a good university.” The inability of UAA to provide normal documentation may place her future career in, as she put it, “jeopardy.” She was also worried about other graduates looking for jobs overseas like herself. Registrar Lindsey Chadwell agreed to speak about the down

UAA winter grads of 2021 have had to wait for their diplomas

printer. She confirmed that there are about 400 students who graduated in the fall of 2021 still waiting for their diplomas. According to her, they didn’t discover the issue with the printer until the week of Jan. 16. For students who have yet to

Fall Commencement 2021 was held on Dec. 12, 2021

handed out empty. Teachers have up to three days after the end of the semester to get grades submitted, so the registrar doesn’t review graduation requirements until

The new printer was expected to arrive by Mar. 1, though in a follow up email Chadwell said that arrival has been delayed to Mar. 30. She said she would contact UAA IT to see if there

after commencement. Once verified, diplomas are printed, and graduates pick them up. Chadwell said that it took some time to figure out a solution. First, they looked at repairing the printer. When it was apparent that it would cost more than buying a new one, they began the search to replace it. The most important thing was finding a printer that would work well with the thick diploma paper UAA uses. As Chadwell said, it was a matter of “finding a new printer that would be sufficient, and still produce a top-quality diploma.” They had to contact vendors, submit the university’s diploma paper for a sample print and wait for them to come back. A new printer was selected and ordered. Coordinating with vendors, and sending samples back and forth, was, by Chadwell’s estimate, the biggest challenge of getting a replacement. Adding to that, the delays in shipping and freight haven’t helped either.

was another printer available and start looking at alternatives if delays persist into April. Regarding possible impact to the spring 2022 grads, she wrote, “We generally don’t print spring graduates’ diplomas until June, so there’s still some time.” Once diplomas have been printed, Chadwell said that graduates will receive an email letting them know they can pick it up. For graduates who may have left Anchorage, the registrar has the option to mail diplomas as well. For anyone who needs some sort of education verification in the meantime, she said they can provide an academic transcript, and a letter explaining the situation. As for Chimenti, she is just hopeful that everything works out, and that the university develops some sort of backup so this kind of problem can be avoided in the future.

Diploma covers are handed out empty

graduate, it is important to know that you don’t receive your diploma at commencement: that fancy green diploma cover is

NEWS

UAA’s new safety app is worth raving about By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

In August 2021, University of Alaska started using the smartphone safety app Rave Guardian. It replaced the existing app, UAA Safe. It’s full of features to keep you informed and safe on campus. Whether you would like someone to keep an eye on you while going for a walk, or just want to have the poison control number handy, this app has you covered. The interface is simple and straightforward. You can do things like set a safety timer, call 911 or UPD’s non-emergency number, share your location with law enforcement and see the latest campus updates. Speaking with the Chief of the UAA Police Department, Jeff Earle, he said that the University of Alaska was already using the Rave Platform for managing campus alerts, so switching over to the Rave Guardian app made sense. With the Rave Platform, “we had an app we were already paying for” and moving over allowed for streamlined communications

between the two systems. The texting function lets you message and send pictures to UPD dispatch directly with problems or concerns. Earle confirmed that it is, in fact, UPD on the other end of the chat. This may be useful in a situation where it is unsafe to speak aloud, or you just want to let someone there is a moose hanging around Rasmuson Hall. Earle recommends calling 911 in any emergency situation, on or off campus. APD will coordinate with UPD dispatch if the emergency is on campus. There are some interesting features on the app as well. The safety timer lets you pick someone to watch over you, for a specific period of time. You can share your location with a contact on your phone (they don’t need the app), or UAA dispatch. Your selected guardian can see your location and receives an alert to check on you when the timer ends. Canceling the timer will end the alert. With shorter winter days, this could bring some piece of mind for those walking around campus in the morning and evening.

If you want to have important health or safety information available to first responders, the app lets you update your profile information with things like medical information, campus address and emergency contacts. For students and faculty who need to make a report regarding maintenance, fraud, sexual harassment, insurance claims, student behavior, IT, etc., UPD has set up links to official reporting channels. There are also links to the UAA Emergency Operations Plan and annual security and fire safety report. The app has a directory of phone numbers people may find useful. Just to name a few: the UAA campus operator, parking services, National Suicide Prevention Hotline, poison control and UAA Center for Advocacy, Relationships, and Sexual Violence. UPD has the ability to update links and tools available in Rave Guardian, and encourages feedback. Earle strongly encourages everyone on and off campus to

SCREENSHOT BY MATTHEW SCHMITZ

Home screen of the Rave Guardian app

PHOTO COURTESY UPD CHIEF OF POLICE ON FACEBOOK

UPD Chief of Police, Jeff Earle

download the app. Guardian is another way to get campus updates, and its integration with the Rave Platform means faster and more reliable communications. As Earle described, it “adds another layer to communicate” campus updates and alerts. It can send a push notification, getting out important information when other apps may be silenced. Rave Guardian is used by the

entire UA system, so if you are traveling between campuses, you can select your location and receive local updates. The biggest benefit of the app, according to Earle, is having all these tools and resources “within one app, on your phone, in your pocket.” The Rave Guardian app is available for free and can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store.

COVID Update: Omicron might be peaking in Alaska By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

The state of Alaska might be peaking in cases of the COVID-19 virus according to the latest testing data. Alaska’s surge of the omicron variant, which began later than many other states, has shown signs of slowing. As of writing, the weekover-week change reported on Feb. 11 is down by 42%. That is following a drop of 26% over the previous two weeks. In an ADN article published Feb. 4, Alaska’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, was quoted as saying, “Here in Alaska, you can see that we’re starting to maybe plateau-ish.” On Feb. 11, the state reported 1,857 new cases over the previous two days. Omicron, a variant of the COVID-19 virus, was first identified in Nov. 2021 in South Africa. Alaska recorded its first case of the new strain on Dec. 13. In short order it became the dominant form of the virus, pushing the state to the highest case rate in the nation. While omicron generally causes less severe disease, it has led to an

increase in hospitalization and death. This is nowhere near the rates of last fall during the delta wave though. At the height of the delta wave, Sep. 24, 2021, the 7-day average for new cases, based on report date, was 1,269, and 207 people were in the hospital. The highest point of the omicron surge so far appears to be on Jan. 24, when the 7-day average for cases hit 2,482, and hospitalized stood at 140. Despite this, the hospital system in Alaska has been strained due to staff being out with COVID-19 or exposure. According to the CDC, symptoms of omicron infection are similar to the original virus. Dr. Katherine Poehling told NBC news that the prominent symptoms of omicron are cough, fatigue, tiredness, congestion, runny nose, sore throat and headache. The loss of taste and smell that accompanied other variants seems to be less common. While omicron appears to evade immunity from vaccines and previous infections, the vast majority of those hospitalized are unvaccinated. Data has shown that those vaccinated are significantly less likely to have

severe disease, with boosted individuals receiving the best protection. At the time of writing, there are 105 hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alaska. At the UA Town Hall on Jan. 27, Vice Chancellor of UAA, Bruce Shultz, addressed questions regarding face masks and other mitigations efforts on the UAA campus. Citing the low number of cases affecting UAA, Shultz expressed confidence that the efforts are working, “What we have seen is our layered strategies, and the masking, and the testing kits that we’re giving out, the continuation of our 10day quarantine, and isolation for students living on campus is that we believe those layered strategies are working well for our students.” I reached out to Shultz for clarification on what UAA’s masking policy will look like going forward, and in an email from Bill Jacob, the Vice Chancellor of administrative services, I was told, “UAA will consider a mask-encouraged scenario when case counts get below 50 per 100,000 over a 7-day average and when other factors are considered.”

UAA uses community transmission levels as defined by the CDC to set safety measures for operating. The 7-day average in Anchorage, at time of writing, is “high,” at 854 cases per 100k. The CDC defines high transmission as anything over 100 cases per 100K. Cases between 10 and 50 per 100K would be considered “moderate” transmission. UAA still requires everyone on campus, regardless of vaccine status, to wear a facemask. The details of UAA’s masking policy are posted at https:// sites.google.com/alaska.edu/ coronavirus/uaa/uaa-maskpolicy. UAA also encourages students, staff and faculty to get vaccinated. Information on where to get free vaccines and boosters can be found at anchoragecovidvaccine.org. If you test positive for COVID-19, the Environmental Health and Safety Department asks you to inform them by calling 907-786-1300 or emailing uaa_ehsrms@alaska. edu. When available, the Consortium Library is distributing free, at-home rapid test kits to students and employees. In an email from associate professor

Lorelei Sterling, the interim head of access services with the Consortium Library, I was told that the library has handed out about 2000 test kits since they started distributing them. Each kit comes with two tests, and the library will give out one kit per member of a household, up to a maximum of six. When the Library receives kits, they send out an email to let people know they are available. A follow-up is sent announcing their supplies have been depleted when they run low. Tim Edwards, Director of environmental health and safety for UAA, told me in an email they are always trying to order kits, though it has become more difficult since the federal government made them available for free to individual households starting Jan. 19. Americans can still order up to four free rapid tests per household from the federal government at covidtests. gov. Testing locations in Anchorage can be found at anchoragecovidtest.org.

NEWS

Alaska makes connections with Europe and Asia By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

Far North Digital, an Alaskan company, announced plans on Dec. 21 to build an undersea internet cable with Finnish company Cinia. The project, Far North Fiber, would connect Europe, Asia and North America by a fiber optic cable using a novel route through the Northwest Passage. The Arctic route of FNF is a first in the undersea cable industry. It provides the shortest path between Europe and Asia; a fact airlines have taken advantage of for years. The cable will come off Ireland and head west under the ocean. It will wrap around the bottom of Greenland, then go north between Canada and Greenland’s west coast, making its way through the Northwest Passage. From there, it circles around the top of the globe like a crown, heading west along the northern coasts of Alaska and Canada. Finally, it will go south, passing through the Bering Strait to end in Japan. FNF will tie into Alaska fiber networks via a branch into Prudhoe Bay. Normally blocked with ice, the Arctic has begun to open during certain times of year. Far North Digital highlights this opportunity on their website, “Now seasonally ice-free passages through Arctic seas make

PHOTO COURTESY FAR NORTH DIGITAL

path provides a speed advantage between Asia and Europe. I spoke with UAA Assistant Professor of computer science and engineering Sebastian Neumayer about the project. He said the shorter route, even if it shaved off a couple of milliseconds, would improve endpoint

similar route and a disaster, such as an earthquake, could sever multiple connections, making communications harder and less reliable. FNF will be a backup. As Neumayer put it, regarding the ability of networks to withstand disruption, “Every link you add to global networks

Proposed route of the Far North Fiber project

than a way to speed and improve the security of telecommunications between nations, it is a bridge over the digital divide, providing Northern communities with better opportunities for sustainable self-determination through economic development,

PHOTO COURTESY BUSINESS INSIDER

Alcatel ship laying an undersea internet cable between Canada, Greenland and Iceland

shorter, lower-latency and highly robust fiber optic routes available to diversely link northern telecom hubs and cable infrastructure.” The 8,600-mile cable will be composed of 12 fiber optic cable pairs capable of transmitting 120 Terabits of data per second (2 pairs are reserved for local add/drop and have a capacity of 30 Tbps). To give some perspective, you could download the entire video game Red Dead Redemption 2, a 150 GB file, in just .01 seconds. 99% of the internet traffic between continents travels underseas and the shorter

user experience between Asia, Europe and Alaska. The lower latency would nearly guarantee high-frequency stock traders as customers of the line too. From Far North’s website, “Latency and the speed to financial markets, ten years ago, one estimate put the value of each millisecond of latency in highfrequency financial trading at over $100 million revenue per year.” Another benefit of FNF, according to Neumayer, would be redundancy to Alaska’s, and the world’s, existing networks. Most of Alaska’s internet fibers take a

… you make it more resistant.” Neumayer raised an interesting question though: how do they plan to repair a damaged cable, in the event of a line break, under sea ice? Providing improved internet to Indigenous populations of the Arctic is another goal of FNF. According to an article from Alaska Public Media, people in remote Alaskan communities can pay well over $300 a month for internet. From Far North’s press release, chief technical officer, Guy Hauser, was quoted as saying, “This cable system is more

enhanced educational options, and improved access to healthcare.” For Alaska, an interesting aspect of this project is a new potential industry: hosting data centers. When people talk about storing data on the “cloud,” they are actually referring to massive, multi-acre, server farms. Big tech companies like Amazon and Google also have tremendous storage needs. Far North Digital seems to have this in mind. Their website indicates plans for building data storage facilities in Alaska. Ireland has made hosting data centers an important part of its economy. The industry

generates $39 billion annually for Ireland and employs 37,000 people. What makes it an attractive place to store data has much to do with low operating costs (via a generous corporate tax rate), cold temperatures, and favorable government regulations. Data centers need to be kept cool to operate properly (some literally use billions of gallons of water). Alaska’s cold climate and abundance of water can reduce the expenses associated with cooling. Also, the low price of electricity on the North Slope, 4 cents per kilowatt hour, according to Far North Digital, can help drive costs down. US internet regulations make Alaska a promising location for data storage as well. Author Jeff Kosseff cites them as a reason tech companies keep their headquarters in the US. Discussing the potential for data centers in Alaska with Neumayer, he noted one advantage the state might enjoy is its centrality in the network. Although companies try to build them near population centers, there is, he said, “a benefit to be removed from potential disasters.” A data center located at one end of a fiber line would get cut off if the line was damaged, but one in the middle of a network has multiple paths available in the event of a failure, ensuring uninterrupted service. Alcatel Submarine Networks, part of Nokia, has been selected to manage and build the FNF project. According to the company’s website, they have laid more than 370,000 miles of underwater network cables. Finances are expected to be secured by early 2022, though it is not clear who will be financing the project. New undersea cables are typically funded by a consortium of interested parties that usually includes telecommunication companies like AT&T, and content providers like Facebook, and Google. The project completion date is projected to be the end of 2025.

& AE

Entertainment Headlines and Highlights for March 2022: Superheroes, romance novelists and teenage girls By Jake Dye editor@thenorthernlight.org

March is unexpectedly quiet for movie theaters, with “The Batman” likely to make waves in the first week, and little else on the horizon. There’s a ton of video games coming out this month as well, keeping up with what has been a packed first quarter this year. Perhaps the most interesting releases are Disney’s “Moon Knight” and Paramount’s “Halo,” two ambitious streaming series coming in a little under the radar.‌ The Batman - March 4‌ It’s been nearly ten years since the last solo Batman film, though Ben Affleck kept the cowl warm for a few years in the middle. This new take on the iconic superhero, with Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne and Matt Reeves, who directed “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” at the helm, looks like it could be spectacular. The film looks stylish, with a color palette that mixes dark grays with a striking red, and the new Batman theme by composer Michael Giacchino is tense and driving. This film will have a lot of eyes on it when it releases exclusively in theaters on March 4, and I have a feeling it can stand up to expectations. ‌ Turning Red - March 11‌ “Turning Red” is the third Pixar film in a row to be released exclusively on Disney+,

PHOTO COURTESY WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES

“The Batman” centers on iconic Batman characters who haven’t had the spotlight in a while, like Catwoman, the Riddler and the Penguin

Pitt, a real romantic hero. This is probably standard action comedy fare, with a great cast and a silly premise. That’s enough for me to check it out when it drops in theaters on March 25.‌ Gaming Highlights‌ “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” is a colorful new entry in the long-running franchise

litions expert Tiny Tina plays the role of the dungeon master. I’ve historically failed to connect with the franchise, but they certainly have an audience who will probably be jumping into the wonderlands when the game launches on March 25. ‌ There are also several significant titles for more niche audi-

PHOTO COURTESY PIXAR

“Turning Red” centers not just on Mei, but also on her group of charming friends.

withheld from theaters. This is a shame as a blow to Pixar’s prestige, but probably a win for families who don’t have to drag the kids out to the theater. The film tells a story of a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl named Mei, who discovers that strong emotions transform her into a giant red panda. She’s like the hulk, but way cuter. She has to maintain her secret while navigating high school, which is of course known for being totally chill. The film will be available exclusively on Disney+ on March 11.‌ Film Highlights‌ “The Lost City” is a comedy starring Sandra Bullock as a romance novelist and Channing Tatum as the guy who models for the cover. When Bullock is kidnapped by a super-rich Daniel Radcliffe, Tatum gets his chance to play romantic hero, until he is upstaged by Brad

that seems like a soft relaunch for the character. Traditionally, “Kirby” games have been 2D side-scrollers, but this is a much larger scale 3D platformer, with a wide arrange of abilities drawing comparison to Nintendo’s other flagship “Super Mario Odyssey,” and new systems like building up a town. Also, the game is curiously set in a postapocalyptic world being retaken by nature. It’s been over a decade since I last played a “Kirby” game, but “Forgotten Land” has my attention.‌ “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” is a spin-off of the successful “Borderlands” franchise, lifting the shooting, looting and unique tone of that series and putting a new coat of paint on it. Instead of the science fiction wasteland of the original series, this spinoff is framed as a game of something like “Dungeons and Dragons,” where the abrasive demo-

ences dropping this month, like “Gran Turismo 7” for the simulation racing crowd on March 4, “Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin” on March 18, a “Dark Souls” style game which looks completely absurd, but which I will play because of the “Final Fantasy” in the title, and surreal first-person horror game “Ghostwire: Tokyo” on March 25.‌ Streaming Highlights‌ Netflix is putting a lot of promotion behind their new movie “The Adam Project,” which stars Ryan Reynolds at the top of a star-studded cast and releases on March 11. In it, a young boy meets his future self and they do action-comedy for a couple of hours to save time. Netflix also has a second season of “Bridgerton” releasing on March 25.‌ Disney+ is headlined by the previously mentioned release of “Turning Red,” but also brings a remake of the 2003 Steve Martin film “Cheaper by the Dozen,” starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff on March 18. Last fall’s very well-received “West Side Story” remake comes to

the service on March 2. “Moon Knight,” the latest series part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, premieres on March 30, and follows Oscar Issac as a man seemingly unaware that he is a superhero. This is the first of these MCU series to not be centered on existing characters from the films, and it will be interesting to see what the reception will be.‌ HBO Max features several of last year’s biggest films this month, with “West Side Story,” “F9,” “Dune,” “Halloween Kills” and “King Richard” all arriving on the platform.‌ Paramount+ brings the science fiction with the second season of its “Star Trek: The Next Generation” sequel series “Star Trek Picard” on March 3, and then its adaptation of the video game series “Halo” on March 25. Film and television adaptations of “Halo” have been in various stages of development since 2005, and this is the first to ever reach release. The story of “Halo” the series is removed from the games, featuring familiar characters and concepts, but not taking place in that canon. I’m really hoping it’s good.

PHOTO COURTESY NINTENDO

The colorful and charming “Kirby” aesthetic offers a unique take on a post-apocalyptic city, though its not exactly clear how an apocalypse could happen in Kirby’s world

A&E

Something to do, plus, a beautiful view By Dylan Flos arts1@thenorthernlight.org

Looking to get out of your room for an afternoon, or perhaps a snowy adventure to switch up the monotony of classes for a moment? The Anchorage area and nearby Chugach State Park offer a smörgåsbord of opportunities for splendid views and things to do, for any intensity level. 30 minutes north of campus (or right in your backyard, for those of you who live near the Eagle River area), lies the trailhead for Mount Baldy, which can be completed in either a 3-mile loop or just under a 2-mile there-and-back.‌ Even for those resolutely opposed to a winter trek through the snow and wind of the mountains, the trailhead itself offers stunning views of the Knik Arm coast, from Fire Island and the Anchorage metro area in the south to Chugiak in the north, as well as Mount Susitna and, depending on how clear of

a day it is, much of the Alaska range mountains across the water. If you happen to be driving through Eagle River and have some time to spare, the short detour up the mountainside towards the trailhead is worth taking even if you don’t even want to leave your car.‌ Although the hike is generally used from June through October, the trail is still perfectly serviceable during the winter months, and you’ll still certainly run into a few other hikers along your route. Make sure you are aware of the weather before going up though! Remember that conditions on the mountain are likely colder and windier than the Anchorage forecast, so ensure you wear layers, and you may even opt to wear Yaktrax or other traction-aiding footgear for the icy bits. If you have hiking poles, they’re also worth taking - the steep parts can be quite difficult at times, especially if you take the direct route up. A friend and I completed the

Overlooking the Chugiak area from halfway up.

At the peak of Mount Baldy, stunning views surround you in every direction.

PHOTOS BY DYLAN FLOS

Even from the parking area near the trailhead, Mount Baldy offers a grandiose view of the Knik Arm coast, and Mount Susitna across the water.

trail in just over an hour, but we made very good time that day, so I would recommend planning for about two hours up and back.‌ For those looking for a more relaxed hiking experience, take the north route, heading clockwise around the loop. This trail is longer, meaning that Mount Baldy’s 1,145 feet of elevation gain will be more spread out. If you’re up for it, you can instead take the more direct, albeit much more strenuous, route, which takes you to the top at a much steeper rate of ascent. If you choose this route, be aware you will be faced with very steep sections covered in slick ice and snow, so be careful. Once you reach the top, however, you’ll be met with stunning views in every direction you look.‌ You have two options for your way back down. They’re the same options as coming up, of course, but the steeper route up offers you a very different experience on the way back down - sliding down the snow-packed mountainside. You can attempt to carefully walk your way down

this side, but I wouldn’t recommend it - the steepness and snow make it highly likely you’ll lose your footing, and sliding down is simply more fun anyway. If that doesn’t sound like your idea of fun (or safe), then you can always go back down the longer, less direct route.‌ With its close proximity to the city, fantastic aerial view of the entire area, and the exciting slide back down to the trailhead, Mount Baldy has strongly made its case as one of my best recommendations for local trails in the area. If you have a free day and the weather looks good, give it a try!‌

A&E

Hitbox Review: Nobody Saves the World - Be anything you want to be By Jake Dye editor@thenorthernlight.org

Release Date: Jan. 18, 2022‌ Developer: Drinkbox Studios‌ Platform: Xbox Series X|S [Played], Xbox One, PC‌ When darkness falls over a world that frankly looks like it was in pretty bad shape to begin with, only one hero has the courage to steal a magic wand and stumble through a grand quest to defeat evil. Players step into the sort of gross, paper-white skin of the titular Nobody, and use that magic wand to shapeshift into 18 different forms to battle enemies and plunder dungeons. ‌ At the start of “Nobody Saves the World,” Nobody wakes up without their memories, without even their physical features, reduced to a surprisingly literal blank slate by the calamity that is sweeping across the land. The great wizard who should be in charge of saving the world is missing, and his apprentice is super rude, so Nobody steals an experimental wand that allows them to shapeshift; first into a rat, then later into a bodybuilder, a mermaid, a horse, a slug, a zombie and even an egg. For Nobody to save the world, they need to collect the five pieces of

SCREENSHOTS COURTESY DRINKBOX STUDIOS

the whole way. A vibrant and imaginative cartoon art style is used, with great care to make sure most things look gross. The environments and dungeons are particularly inventive, with developer Drinkbox including interesting twists on familiar ar-

The Zombie was one of my favorite forms, infecting enemies and raising a horde of allies. They also have to constantly deal damage to avoid rotting away

as very quickly unlocking shiny new forms to play with. ‌ After a certain point in the story, the player gains the ability to mix and match abilities between forms. Suddenly, I’m a

“Nobody Saves the World” doesn’t have much focus on story, but does feature lots of silly minor characters and jokes, like tracking down undercover aliens around the world, or falling in love with a horse.

an ancient gemstone and dive into the heart of the corruption to set things right.‌ Shapeshifting is the central mechanic of the game, as each of the forms features unique abilities, and each of them features a surprisingly unique playstyle. Favorites of mine included the Zombie, who heals by attacking enemies, and infects them so they are zombified and turned into allies upon defeat, the Slug, who leaves a trail of slime that slows enemies so they can be attacked with projectile tears and, to my surprise, the bodybuilder, who throws a giant barbell that knocks back enemies, then greases up his muscles to deal greater damage. ‌ The game is presented as an isometric role-playing game, similar to early “Legend of Zelda” titles, where the player looks on a zoomed-out, top-down view. The screen can get filled with a whole lot of enemies, summoned allies, and effects, but the performance was steady

chetypes. ‌ In the early parts of the game, players are encouraged to constantly shift between forms, both because different enemies are susceptible to different types of attacks, and also because the game features a very tightly designed progression system where completing challenges and ranking up forms unlocks other forms. ‌ The list of forms is structured like a tree, beginning with the Rat. When the player raises the Rat from F rank to C, based on letter grades, they unlock two branches, the Knight and the Ranger. Upgrading the Knight unlocks the Horse and the Magician, upgrading the Ranger unlocks the Slug and the Bodybuilder, so on to the top of the tree where players can unlock the Dragon. It was immensely compelling to jump between forms and complete simple tasks, being rewarded both with expanded and enhanced abilities for the form in use, as well

horse shooting arrows and turning enemies into zombies. At this point, the game opens up to really wild possibilities, as the player can construct builds

that feel outrageously powerful. The game does a good job of using new challenges that require some mixing and matching to promote and teach possibilities. ‌ Unfortunately, while the game was certainly fun at this point, it sort of loses the form shifting that I enjoyed so much in the early stages. This is especially true once all of the forms are unlocked. Now, instead of rapidly shifting from form to form to deal with obstacles, I just pick one form and fill it with abilities to handle everything. I could definitely see this theorycrafting, experimental gameplay resonating more with some audiences.‌ To complete the game, the player is required to complete several major dungeons, but the map is littered with optional dungeons that feature special rules. These were some of the most interesting elements of the game, taking the forms and abilities available to me and coming up with a plan to address these special challenges. For example, in one of these dungeons, all damage was multiplied by 9999. This meant that without preparing correctly, being damaged once would kick the player back to the entrance, but every enemy

could also be defeated in a single strike. These optional dungeons with unique rules were my favorite content in the game, and I would have liked to see more of them. ‌ “Nobody Saves the World” isn’t focused on the story, with the vast majority of it saved for the last thirty minutes. The appeal of this game is in its tightly designed systems and the way they interact. It’s so satisfying to pull up a list of objectives, knock them all out, then upgrade and unlock forms. I also found a lot of fun exploring the map, finding secrets and clearing out all of the dungeons. It’s definitely worth tinkering with as an interesting indie dungeon crawler, though I would encourage players who find their interest waning as they proceed not to feel guilty about setting it down. Members of Xbox Game Pass can jump in at no additional cost, and it’s absolutely worth tinkering with without any sunk cost. Fans of games like “Diablo” will find a lot to love here.

Upgrading forms and unlocking new ones is very compelling, and though it was easy to unlock every form before completing the game, there was plenty of work left to be done to max out all of them.

A&E

Movie Review: Uncharted - Chart-topper By Dylan Flos arts1@thenorthernlight.org

Sony Pictures’ newest film adaptation of a video game certainly sold tickets, reaching the mark of $51 million during its opening weekend. That’s the highest-grossing opening weekend since “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, another Sony Pictures film, in mid-December. But did “Uncharted” top the charts only because of the popularity of Spider-Man star Tom Holland in a new franchise, or was it actually good? Did Sony succeed in bringing the beloved Playstation franchise to the big screen, or does it join the long lost of poorly received video-game movies, like 1993’s “Super Mario Bros.”?‌ Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg star in “Uncharted,” an action-adventure movie following Nathan Drake, a street kid and pickpocket in New York City, and his search to recover the lost fortune of Ferdinand Magellan following his recruitment by Victor Sullivan, an experienced treasure hunter. ‌ Part heist movie, filled with twists and backstabs at every opportunity, part “Indiana Jones”, filled with adventure and ancient relics, “Uncharted” takes you on a wild chase around the globe with plenty of unexpected twists and over-thetop explosions to keep you en-

gaged. For fans of the “Uncharted” series, and those seeking a fun night watching quick-paced action, “Uncharted” delivers well enough, and is probably worth watching. If you can make it to the theaters in the coming weeks, “Uncharted” is very much a movie that benefits from the cinematics of the big screen.‌ Beyond this point contains spoilers.‌ For a movie with a wide array of characters and a non-linear, twist-heavy storyline, “Uncharted” did a solid, if not perfect, job of making those characters easy to distinguish and keep track of. Their motives seemed consistent and while each betrayal was unexpected, they weren’t out of line. Mostly. In addition, those characters were well-cast, and the actors felt natural in the roles. Again, mostly.‌ When Chloe, played by Sophia Taylor Ali, betrayed Holland’s Nathan Drake in the Roman storeroom, it came as a shock. Obviously, it was meant to be an unforeseen betrayal, yet placing it so quickly after what felt like genuine character development in the flooding scene just prior seemed like the wrong way to go for those characters. It also felt as if Chloe’s character was mostly abandoned after that point - a short reunion after the airplane jump in the Philippines, but nothing of substance.‌ While Wahlberg’s Sully and

PHOTO COURTESY SONY PICTURES

Uncharted, released February 18th, is currently exclusive to movie theaters.

Antonio Banderas as Santiago Moncada were fantastic, fans of the “Uncharted” games probably noticed that Tom Holland in the role of Nathan Drake felt, well, wrong. Without a doubt, Sony cast Holland in the role following his massive success and popularity in the role of Spider-Man in their other major franchise. Honestly, I came into the theater thinking that and expecting Holland’s portrayal of Drake to be inadequate. ‌ While ultimately Holland is certainly not the Nathan Drake we know from the games, I was pleasantly surprised by how well he did with the role. Likely in

most part due to how well he and Wahlberg’s Sully played off of each other. At the very least, the humor played between the two set off audible laughs throughout the crowd more than just a few times during the showing. ‌ Holland of course has a lot of experience with high-intensity action sequences through his Spider-Man films, and he makes use of it in “Uncharted.” The action and fight scenes, ranging from a fistfight in a Papa John’s to a mid-air pirate battle between two ancient ships being airlifted by helicopters, were fun and energetic, and very enjoyable.‌

If you missed the mid- and end-credits scenes, they show that at some point in the future Drake and Sully are, of course, still working together, and that Nathan’s thought-to-be-dead brother is actually alive and in some foreign prison. Both clearly point to Sony’s desire to make a sequel, and given the monetary success of the film to this point, I fully expect to hear about production of “Uncharted 2” in the next few years. Do you think this is a franchise worth developing, or should Drake’s adventures stay confined to the console?‌

The 50th “Great Race on Earth” By Dylan Flos arts1@thenorthernlight.org

In early March 1973, 34 brave souls and their dogs departed Anchorage with a 1,049mile journey lying ahead of them. 20 days, 49 minutes, and 41 seconds later, Dick Wilmarth of Red Devil, Alaska passed through front street in Nome, becoming the first champion of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and winning $12,000. 12 mushers scratched along the trail for various reasons, but the remaining 22 all eventually made it to Nome.‌ The race ended 32 days, 5 hours, 9 minutes, and 1 second after it began when John Schultz, the “Red Lantern,” or last musher, crossed the finish line. 50 years later, “The Last Great Race” remains an annual tradition, drawing large crowds and

plenty of mushers from around Alaska, and some from even farther.‌ The modern Iditarod trail is fashioned from routes originally used by the native Inupiaq and Athabaskan peoples, which were greatly extended and expanded with the arrival of Russian fur traders in the 1800s. Around the turn of the 20th century, the trail reached its peak as a gold rush hit Nome and dogsled teams were used to bring supplies into the city during the port’s icebound winter months.‌ While planning for the 100th anniversary of the Alaskan purchase from Russia, Dorothy Page brought up the idea of using portions of the old Iditarod trail for a racing event. This first race, only covering a small portion of the trail, attracted 58 mushers in 1967, but after a canceled event the following year The northern lights illuminating the way for racers in last year’s Iditarod race.

PHOTOS COURTESY IDITAROD.COM

Libby Riddles poses with her lead dogs after becoming the first woman to win the Iditarod race in 1985.

and a lack of funding the next, the races stopped. That is until Joe Redington Sr, Gleo Huyck, and Tom Johnson reignited the race in 1973 with the full route from Anchorage to Nome, and popularity of the event soared.‌ This year, 49 mushers are competing, and excitingly, this year all events are returning to (mostly) normal after last year’s COVID-related shakeup. The 50th race gala will be hosted on Thursday, March 3 at 6:00 PM, although with required proof of vaccination for all attendees as well as lesser capacity - only 750 tickets total are available as opposed to the usual 1500. ‌ On Saturday, March 5 at 10:00 AM, the mushers and dog teams will follow the 11-mile ceremonial race start through

downtown Anchorage. The next afternoon, the genuine race start will occur in Willow, north of Wasilla. Parking will be available with a $10 charge, although it is limited, so fans are urged to make use of the Iditarod shuttle. Tickets from Anchorage are $25 for the general public and $15 for those who have volunteered in any aspect of the race. There are also shuttles running from Wasilla, Houston, and Talkeetna, with details on the Iditarod website.‌ This year, being an evennumbered year, will follow the northern Iditarod route, passing through 23 checkpoints on the way to Nome. Dallas Seavey currently holds the record for the fastest race time on the northern route, having made it to Nome in

only 8 days, 11 hours, 20 minutes, and 16 seconds in 2016. That was the all-time record as well, until Mitch Seavey completed the race 8 hours faster the next year, though being an odd-numbered year, that race was done through the southern route.‌ Those interested in the race can also follow the Iditarod Instagram page, which for the 50 days leading up to the 50th race has been posting facts about each previous year’s Iditarod starting with the 1973 race. To keep up with race standings and information, visit their website at iditarod.com, where you can also sign up for their newsletter to receive more in-depth updates.

SPORTS

Back in action: Men’s basketball returns to Anchorage By Dylan Flos arts1@thenorthernlight.org

Fans of University of Alaska basketball rejoice! After cancellation upon cancellation hitting the University’s men’s basketball team’s attempts at playing a home game for weeks now, our players have triumphantly returned to the scene in a streak of three back-to-back wins.‌ Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, indoor sports venues were hit hard - large crowds in a small, confined space being quite literally the opposite of what most health experts were trying to get us to do. Even two years later, sports teams struggle for the right to play their games, and the Seawolves have been no exception. The previous six men’s basketball home games have been canceled due to covid-related reasons - the last time they were able to play a home game here at the Alaska Airlines center was back on December 30th, over an entire month ago, though they have been able to make it to a few away games during that period.‌ The triple-game week began on Thursday, February 3rd, with a match against Simon Fraser University, from British Columbia, making up for the

PHOTO BY DYLAN FLOS

canceled UAA vs SFU game in early January. An early lead for the Canadians swiftly shifted to a back-and-forth tie match, until nearly halfway through the second period when Alaska began to pull ahead. Oggie Pantovic led the field with a game-high 22 points, and ultimately, UAA defeated SFU with a significant lead at 71-59.‌ A few days later, UAA went head-to-head with Western

REPORTS

Men’s basketball finally returns home after 6 straight cancelled games at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Washington. The Seawolves took an early lead, and bar a tense few minutes near the end of the first period where it seemed WWU might take over, maintained that lead through the entire game, ending the night with the scoreboard reading 8175. Once again, Oggie Pantovic led the scoring, with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists to his

name.‌ On Tuesday, Montana State Billings appeared on the court at the Alaska Airlines Center for a makeup game after their last matchup, on January 1, was canceled due to travel complications caused by weather issues. For the first time in the week, fans had a reason to worry, for Billings grabbed an early lead

that lasted until the final seven minutes of the game, when the Seawolves were finally able to catch up. A powerful comeback left MSU Billings reeling, the game ending 64-57 in favor of the Seawolves. Tobin Karlberg held the game-high with 18 points, closely followed by Hunter Sweet with 17.‌

Top 30 Record Charts for the week of March 1 presented by KRUA 1. Artist: Samm Henshaw, Record: Untidy Soul, Label: Dorm Seven/AWAL

13. Artist: Beechwood, Record: Sleep Without Dreaming, Label: Alive Naturalsound

2. Artist: The Simps, Record: Siblings, Label: Lex

14. Artist: Greenhouse, Record: Range Hot [EP], Label: Self-Released

3. Artist: The Applesauce Tears, Record: Scores, Label: Black Cottage 4. Artist: The Mommyheads, Record: Swiss Army Knife, Label: Self-released 5. Artist: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Record: Butterfly 3001, Label: KGLW 6. Artist: Sun June, Record: Somewhere (Expanded), Label: Run For Cover 7. Artist: Alice Phoebe Lou, Record: Child’s Play, Label: Self-released 8. Artist: Waveform, Record: Last Room, Label: Run For Cover 9. Artist: Mitski, Record: Laurel Hell, Label: Dead Oceans 10. Artist: Anna Ash, Record: Sleeper, Label: Black Mesa 11. Artist: Cat Power, Record: Covers, Label: Domino 12. Artist: Reptaliens, Record: Multiverse, Label: Captured Tracks

15. Artist: Pedro the Lion, Record: Havasu, Label: Polyvinyl 16. Artist: Postcard Nowhere, Record: somewhere, someone, something, Label: Self-Released 17. Artist: Cloakroom, Record: Dissolution Wave, Label: Relapse 18. Artist: Quinn Christopherson, Record: I Am Bubblegum [EP], Label: Play It Again Sam 19. Artist: Hippo Campus, Record: LP3, Label: Grand Jury 20. Artist: Adored, Record: “Space Club” [Single], Label: Self-Released 21. Artist: Yabujin, Record: “302ionwan2go” [Single], Label: Self-Released 22. Artist: Bonobo, Record: Fragments, Label: Ninja Tune 23. Artist: Denzel Curry, Record: “Walkin” [Single], Label: Loma Vista 24. Artist: Jerry Paper, Re-

cord: “Kno Me” [Single], Label: Stones Throw 25. Artist: Softcult, Record: Year of the Snake[EP], Label: Easy Life 26. Artist: Gully Boys, Record: Favorite Son [EP], Label: Get Better

27. Artist: Sundog, Record: “Triple Dog” [Single], Label: Self-Released 28. Artist: Arlo Parks, Record: “Softly” [Single], Label: Transgressive/PIAS 29. Artist: Passed Out, Record: For Now [EP], Label: Ad-

mirable Traits 30. Artist: Babe Rainbow, Record: “Smash The Machine” [Single], Label: Eureka/Kobalt

REPORTS

STAFF CONTACTS

A S S O C I AT E D CO L L E G I AT E P R ES S

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Executive Editor Jake Dye (907) 786-1313 editor@thenorthernlight.org‌ Multimedia Editor David Harding media@thenorthernlight.org‌

Media Adviser Paola Banchero Administrative Adviser Zac Clark Fiscal Technician Sarah Holland

News Reporter Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org News Reporter Gabriel Blanco news3@thenorthernlight.org‌ Arts & Entertainment Reporter Dylan Flos arts1@thenorthernlight.org‌

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