Alaska ocean waters reflect themes of science, security, and community running through today’s news digest, including policy discussions, public safety awareness, and efforts to study climate and marine innovation.
From espionage allegations and congressional testimony to the Russia-Ukraine war, romance scam warnings, and local Alaska updates, these are the stories shaping the day.
📜 THIS JUST IN: Clinton Releases Statement Before Testimony
Hillary Clinton just released a written opening statement about 38 minutes before her closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee.
Clinton said she has no knowledge of criminal activity by Jeffrey Epstein or associate Ghislaine Maxwell and stated she does not recall direct encounters with Epstein.
In the statement, she criticized the investigation as partisan and argued the committee subpoenaed her despite testimony from several senior law enforcement officials who said they had little information to provide.
Clinton also criticized reductions in staffing at the State Department trafficking office during the previous administration. She focused heavily on global anti-human-trafficking efforts, describing work she oversaw through the United States Department of State, including nearly 170 programs in 70 countries.
🛑 Former U.S. Air Force Pilot Arrested in National Security Case
Federal investigators arrest Gerald Eddie Brown Jr. in Jeffersonville, Indiana on allegations he conspired to provide combat aircraft training to members of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
Authorities say the training required export authorization from the defense trade licensing office of U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
Brown served more than 24 years in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Major in 1996 after flying and instructing fighter and attack aircraft including the F-35 Lightning II.
The investigation is supported by multiple regional offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
🇺🇦 Russia–Ukraine War Continues Into Fourth Year
Alaska’s senior U.S. senator Lisa Murkowski reaffirmed support for Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion, writing that she stands “firmly alongside Ukrainians” as they defend sovereignty, freedom, and future security.
Murkowski mourned wartime losses, praised Ukrainian resilience, and called for renewed diplomatic negotiations that include Ukraine at the table in pursuit of a lasting and just peace.
The war between Ukraine and Russia is now in its fourth year, and analysts say battlefield realities are shaping diplomatic pressure toward potential settlement discussions.
Some strategic assessments suggest Ukraine faces manpower and equipment constraints compared to Russia’s larger population base and industrial defense capacity. Russia controls significant territory within Ukraine’s internationally recognized 1991 borders, including much of Crimea and large portions of the Donetsk region, Luhansk region, Kherson region, and Zaporizhzhia region.
Military analysts note Ukraine’s frontline stretches roughly 620 miles, creating logistical and troop density challenges for defensive operations.
International policy debate continues over potential peace frameworks. The Trump administration has been reported to favor negotiations that could include territorial compromise discussions, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyymaintains that Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be preserved.
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have warned that altering international borders by force could destabilize long-term European security.
🙏 Faith Leaders Speak Out After Soldotna Family Deported
Faith and community leaders in Alaska are raising alarms following the removal of a mother and her three children by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Soldotna on February 17.
The Rev. Michael Burke, President of the Alaska Christian Conference, called on authorities to uphold due process and respect human dignity, emphasizing that none of the detained family members had a criminal record.
Bishop Tim, speaking at the same press conference, highlighted that immigrants and refugees deserve to be treated with compassion.
Tragically, the mother, Sonia Espinoza Arriaga, and her two younger children, ages five and sixteen, were deported to Mexico, reportedly to Tijuana and Jalisco, while the family’s 18-year-old son remains in ICE custody in Tacoma, Washington. The actions have sparked outrage among local faith communities and advocacy groups, who are calling for reforms to ensure families are not separated or removed without proper legal procedures.
💔 💔 Romance Scams Leave Emotional and Financial Damage for Alaskans
Alaska prosecutors warn that romance scams continue to spread through digital platforms, often harming not only victims but also their families and close relationships.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska says scammers typically build trust by creating fake emotional bonds before requesting money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. These crimes can cause long-lasting financial loss, heartbreak, and distress that may extend to family members and loved ones connected to the victim.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission urges people to verify identities online, avoid sending money to people they have not met in person, and report suspected scams to https://www.ic3.gov.
🌊 Scientists and Senators Look to Alaska’s Waters for Climate Research
Senator Murkowski joined lawmakers including Brian Schatz, Suzanne Bonamici, and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter to advance the ReSCUE Oceans Act.
The proposal would establish marine carbon dioxide removal research programs through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and coordinate efforts with the United States Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Supporters say Alaska’s coastline offers opportunities for ocean-based carbon sequestration research while maintaining environmental safeguards.
💦 H2Oasis Working Toward Reopening and Hiring Now!
Work continues at H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark as the long-shuttered Anchorage family destination moves closer to reopening.
The park has now been closed for more than three years, and families frequently post on there park’s Facebook page asking when it will return. For many Anchorage parents, it was a year-round go-to for birthdays, cabin-fever days, and winter break outings.
Park officials say reopening depends heavily on staffing, especially certified lifeguards.
👉🏿H2Oasis is currently hiring for positions in admissions, food service, park services, and aquatics safety.
👉🏿A lifeguard training course is scheduled for March 2 through March 6, beginning around 3:15 p.m. each day.
Applicants must be at least 15 years old and pass swimming endurance tests, object retrieval, leg-only treading, and a written exam.
Those interested can apply in person at:
H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark
1520 O’Malley Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99507
Phone: (907) 561-7946
Website: www.h2oasiswaterpark.com
Park representatives say lifeguard staffing levels must be met before a reopening date can be announced.
