Tom Hewitt
@tomhewittnews.bsky.social
Special assistant to the mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough. email: tom.hewitt@fnsb.gov. 💛 Fairbanks. Policy: Uninterrupted progress. Politics: Anti-graft. Nationality: Arctic Brotherhood.
What is it about Alaska that makes us a magnet for every ludicrous clearly-never-gonna-happen megaproject that people dream up? www.adn.com/business-eco...
Underwater data center proposed for Alaska’s Cook Inlet by East Coast company
A similar project proposed off the coast of Maine has stirred debate about how it may impact its fishing-dependent economy.
adn.com
I know I’m friends with the right people because on Election Day, my social feeds turn into a nonstop voting party parade and I am tossing heart reacts out there like birdseed at a wedding.
If you're in Fairbanks on Saturday and would like to revisit the cold 2025-26 winter, I'll be giving a talk at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center downtown. The topic is: "How can it still be very cold in a rapidly warming Arctic." #akwx #AlaskaSky #Fairbanks #UAF @leahwrenn.bsky.social
My personal conspiracy theory is that the auto industry came up with the trolley problem to demonize public transit 🧐
Former colleagues recall a quiet, prolific photographer with a talent for finding nuance in familiar subjects. www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
Longtime Anchorage Daily News photojournalist Bob Hallinen dies at 77
Former colleagues recall a quiet, prolific photographer with a talent for finding nuance in familiar subjects.
adn.com
Maybe this is old-man-yells-at-cloud of me, but I am super tired of the trend of random influencers, many of whom don't even live in the state, delivering weird AI-generated summaries of Alaska news, history, etc. Is this happening everywhere, or does Alaska get more of it because of exotic cachet?
Per @adn.com and @irissamuels.bsky.social, Walker saying he's not going to decide whether to get in until the deadline on Monday. I feel like there have to be easier ways to get Click Bishop to call you and ask you to please please please not do something. www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker weighing another run for governor
Republican-turned-independent Bill Walker said he wants to highlight the need for a long-term fiscal plan.
adn.com
At 81 years old, my dad just ate at Arby's for the first time in his life. He is stoked about it their "exclusive Arby's sauce!" in a way that very earnest and sweet.
This early summer has been pretty awesome; no complaints. But it will be OK when I can stop bringing my pepper plants back inside before bed because it's pretty chilly in the middle of the night.
Climatologist49@climatologist49.bsky.social · 4mo agoSame chart for Fairbanks. @alaskawx.bsky.social
Solid editorial from @adn.com: "If tax concessions are central to making the project financeable, Alaskans deserve to know exactly what they are being asked to give up, what protections come with that bargain and why this particular structure is the right one." www.adn.com/opinions/edi...
Editorial: Alaska can’t govern by ransom note
A special session will only succeed if the governor, Glenfarne and lawmakers come with answers instead of ultimatums.
adn.com
More of this, please; we’ve earned it and my pepper plants love it.
Rick Thoman@alaskawx.bsky.social · 4mo agoFairbanks Airport up to 65F (18.3C) as of 2pm AKDT Wednesday, the highest temperature since September 9, 2025. For reference, the normal high temperature May 13 is 61F (16.1C). #akwx #Spring2026 @leahwrenn.bsky.social @jenniferschell16.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social
Fairbanks February snowfall total through Monday up 36.1 inches (91.7cm), the second highest February total on record and the tenth highest for any calendar month since 1915. #akwx #Climate #Snow @themattphelps.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social @bikewritedave.bsky.social
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is one of my favorite Christmas carols, but I can admit that “The which his mother Mary did nothing take in scorn” is an absolute dumpster fire of a bar.
It’s gross out there. Wistfully remembering the below-zero trick-or-treating of my youth.
Rick Thoman@alaskawx.bsky.social · 10mo agoFairbanks 530-730pm Halloween, prime trick or treat hours, and it’s straight up raining and above freezing. I can find no prior occurrence of such wretchedness. Halloween 1970 closest, with temps in the upper 30s but the rain came after 9pm. #akwx @leahwrenn.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social
Damn. Stay safe, northwest Alaska. Yet another reason why Congress rescinding public radio funds was a terrible, short-sighted action that will endanger Alaskans’ lives. These stations and the disaster updates they broadcast are an essential lifeline.
CeeJay Johnson-Yellow Hawk@adriftalchemist.bsky.social · 11mo agokotzebue, alaska declared a mandatory evacuation order
If Alaska could have levied a production tax/royalty on sales of ranch dressing like we did Prudhoe Bay oil, we wouldn’t have the fiscal problems we do now 🤔
Thank you @adn.com for publishing my obituary for perhaps the most beloved bear in the world: the late, great, king 480 Otis.
Anchorage Daily News@adn.com · 12mo agoFat Bear Week has arrived, featuring some of the biggest and brawniest bears of Brooks River. But longtime fans will note that there are several beloved bears missing from this year’s bracket.
This looks bad: Monday afternoon report of rock slides and building collapses at Elfin Cove, on Chichagof Island in northern Southeast Alaska. #akwx #ExtremeWeather @spiraledu.bsky.social @alaska.bsky.social
Always great to see @deephi11.bsky.social out on the Equinox course! Also grateful her house is only a few miles in, because this would be more of a painful hobble at mile 20 😂
Deedee@deephi11.bsky.social · 12mo agoHundreds of brave souls just ran or walked through my backyard during the 2025 Equinox Marathon. Loved seeing long-time friends. @tomhewittnews.bsky.social
I know that I will one day be old, but I hope I’m never “leaves my phone camera shutter noise on” old.
The other day I saw a black convertible Corvette rolling around Fairbanks with the vanity plate TAX FRD, which is a… *bold* choice.
That was a weak but pretty long one. Usually means a larger one further away, but not seeing a high-magnitude quake at the AEIC website.
Rick Thoman@alaskawx.bsky.social · last yr.1236pm AKDT Fairbanks earthquake. One good jolt, longer roll
Hey @matthewkaminski.bsky.social, give me a hint on “War Pigs” for Schwarber; I’m not getting it.
I recognize exceptions exist, but as a general rule: Anchorage bad drivers tend to go too fast; Fairbanks bad drivers tend to go too slow. Agree or disagree?
Six of these 11 have been during my lifetime. I’m totally OK with not adding a seventh. #akwx
Rick Thoman@alaskawx.bsky.social · last yr.Here’s the top ten hottest weeks in Fairbanks since 1930. Based on the actual temperatures Sunday & Monday and NWS forecast thru Friday, there’s virtually no chance this heatwave will make the top 10. #akwx #Climate #Summer2025 @carrieinfbx.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social @bs.mivox.net
Been getting questions about this; thanks, Rick!
Rick Thoman@alaskawx.bsky.social · last yr.Can confirm: high level smoke haze over Fairbanks, Alaska Wednesday morning from northern Alberta/Saskatchewan wildfires. Graphic from NWS HRRR smoke model. #akwx #Wildfire2025 @leahwrenn.bsky.social @amanda-in-ak.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social
