Seven candidates are running for House District 37, which covers Southwest Alaska including the Aleutians and Pribilof Islands. Longtime Rep. Bryce Edgmon, an independent from Dillingham, is leaving the seat after his 20th year to run for state Senate.

For this episode of “Island Interviews,” KUCB’s Sofia Stuart-Rasi sat down with Edgmon to talk about his run for the state Senate and how the most recent legislative session went.

The Unalaska City Council is again searching for a permanent city manager after candidate Abner Hoage turned down an offer for the position earlier this month.

The city’s solution is a project called DRIVE. It’s short for Developing Recycling Infrastructure and Vehicle End-Of-Life. The plan came together in 2024 and was approved by the City Council in January 2025. In December, the project got a major financial boost. Unalaska was selected for a $3.8 million grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to keep the work going.

The Unalaska Fire Department has a familiar face leading it again. Edward “Eddie” Athey took over as fire chief on March 25, returning to the same job he held on the island 20 years ago.

The Unalaska City Council will interview permanent city manager candidates next weekend. Three applicants have been selected to advance to the first round of interviews, according to a Tuesday press release from the city.

The Unalaska City Council approved a new three-year contract with the city’s career firefighters Tuesday night. Council members voted in favor of a collective bargaining agreement between the city and the local firefighter’s union, which represents six fire and EMS positions.

Unalaska City Council members approved several major spending items at their Tuesday meeting, but warned that the city is facing long-term budget challenges. The City Council unanimously approved school funding, community support grants and a capital plan with more than $20 million worth of projects.

Retired Anchorage podiatrist and businessman Matt Heilala visited Unalaska on April 1 as part of his campaign to be Alaska’s next governor. As of publication, he’s one of 12 Republicans running for the seat, and it was his first visit to the island.

The four-day storm hit Unalaska on Dec. 26-29, bringing 100 mph gusts, elevated tides and a storm surge that swept the coastline. It damaged the airport’s runway and closed off Summer Bay Road for vehicles.