Annie Feidt, Alaska’s Energy Desk

The weather has been beautiful in Southeast Alaska for two weeks straight. And that is very unusual. Sept. and Oct. are normally the rainiest months in the region.

For the first time since February, the statewide temperature index for Alaska dipped below normal earlier this week.

Residents across the Kenai Peninsula will soon vote on whether Homer Electric Association can operate without rate oversight from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.

The blob is back. The term was coined a few years ago to describe a warm patch of water in the Gulf of Alaska and Northern Pacific Ocean that can turn the weather warm and dry in the state.

Residents of a tiny Kenai Peninsula subdivision near Anchor Point thought they had a little slice of peace and quiet. But a tract of homestead land to the south held an oil test well. And now it’s home to 38 acres of an active oil well, processing train, natural gas flare, workers’ camp, truck filling station and a five-story rig that is about to start drilling 30 more wells.

Arctic Sea ice retreated to it’s second lowest level on record this summer. Scientists announced today the ice likely reached its lowest extent on Sept. 10.