Jake Dye
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jakecdye.bsky.social
Jake Dye
@jakecdye.bsky.social
440 followers 430 following 450 posts
Freelance News Reporter in Kenai, Alaska.

Previously senior news reporter at the Peninsula Clarion, with work published in the Homer News, Juneau Empire, Chilkat Valley News, Wrangell Sentinel and Juneau Independent.

[email protected]
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jakecdye.bsky.social
I’m working the phones for KDLL’s fall membership drive this morning! Call 907-513-1996 and support local news on the Kenai Peninsula!
A Facebook post from KDLL 91.9 FM reads “It’s early o’ clock on a Saturday morning but it’s still a beautiful day to support your local non-profit public radio station! It’s day 3 of our fall membership drive and we’re still working to make up as much as we can of the loss of $140,000 in federal funding this year. You can donate by calling 907-513-1996 or visiting kdll.org to help us keep local programming and local news on the air! Right now, your donation can go even farther, because we’re looking for 8 public radio heroes to take advantage of a donation challenger from our favorite donor, A. Nonymous, who wants to match the first 8 people who donate $500 with another $500. Double your money by calling 907-513-1996!” There’s also a fun photo of KDLL board president Shaylon Cochran with a cup of coffee and a microphone.
October 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Also the phones clearly aren’t ringing here at the KDLL studio often enough cause my best friend Abby is asleep. WAKE HER UP by calling 907-513-1996 and making a contribution now.
Abby the Dog snoozes on the KDLL Studio Couch.
October 10, 2025 at 11:11 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Is this what people without jobs do? Because otherwise it’s just been lots of Star Trek.
Fuller Lake is full on a clear day near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. A vista is seen from Fuller Lake Trail near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.
October 3, 2025 at 4:31 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Not quite, they’re sticking to our planned last day:
Sound Publishing says that they accept Jake’s resignation effective on Oct. 13
October 2, 2025 at 3:44 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
So much for working a final two weeks in good faith, we’ve all already been locked out of our email accounts.
Jake attempts to log into his work email but an error message reads “Your password was changed less than an hour ago”
September 30, 2025 at 2:50 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Editors and reporters of the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion submitted their notices of resignation today, after management from Carpenter Media Group made changes to a published story last week in response to intimidation from a state lawmaker and without input from our newsrooms.
#aknews
The first page of a resignation letter by Regional Editor Erin Thompson, Sports Editor Jeff Helminiak and reporters Chloe Pleznac and Jake Dye. [Excerpt because the letter is too long to include in full] "Vance also said in the letter that she was “fully aware” of an effort to boycott Homer News advertising — stating that the paper would experience financial and reputational harm if it did not change its approach to covering community events. Rep. Vance never contacted the Homer News editorial team to discuss her concerns. Without consulting the editor of the Homer News or the reporter who wrote the story, Carpenter Media removed the original article from the Homer News website, only to republish a modified version several hours later that reflected the changes demanded by Rep. Vance. In the modified version republished by Carpenter management, there was no note to indicate the article had been changed. We want to be clear: We have no problem with Rep. Vance expressing her opinion of our coverage. We cover difficult and sometimes controversial topics. Respectful dialogue about that coverage is welcome. As a community newspaper, we regularly provide Rep. Vance with a forum to discuss her views. What we do have a problem with is Carpenter Media management changing a story at the behest of an elected official. We believe this destroys the credibility the public has placed in us as reporters and editors. This willingness to acquiesce to a public official’s editorial demands and have conversations with her about the direction of our coverage is a betrayal not just of the journalists who work for Carpenter Media, but of the company’s integrity as a purveyor of news." The second page of a resignation letter by Regional Editor Erin Thompson, Sports Editor Jeff Helminiak and reporters Chloe Pleznac and Jake Dye. [Excerpt because the letter is too long to include in full] These actions were taken despite there being no immediate urgency to remove the content — Rep. Vance's criticisms were raised regarding what she perceived as political bias, not factual inaccuracy. Despite requests, we have not been informed of the content of dialogue between Rep. Vance and Carpenter Media management. In discussion with management our editor was told that the article did not meet their editorial standards and that the editing and reporting was “juvenile.” We cannot live up to the core responsibility of a community newspaper in such an environment. We, employees of both the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion, are resigning our positions, effective Oct. 13, 2025. Leaving these newspapers, at which we have spent a combined four decades, is not a decision we make lightly. We are proud of the work that we do covering local government as well as the arts, food, history, outdoors and sports. Though this decision is extremely painful for all of us, it is not difficult. We cannot do our jobs knowing that pressure from an elected official can mean our stories are edited without prior consultation with us. Because we care deeply about the work we do and what it means to the community, we are all giving the standard two weeks’ notice instead of resigning outright. We hope Carpenter Media takes the opportunity to get personnel in place to continue the legacies of the Peninsula Clarion and Homer News. We hope this incident provides incentive for Carpenter Media to handle threats from officials in a way that safeguards the valued trust that readers have in newspapers. The community deserves it."
September 30, 2025 at 12:28 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Rep. Sarah Vance this morning taking a victory lap for her successful intimidation of the free press.
Rep. Sarah Vance writes on Facebook: “A RESPECTFUL THANK YOU Thank you to the owners of Homer News and Carpenter Media for their thoughtful and professional response to my concerns about biased reporting. (We have had a respectful email exchange) Revising and republishing the article in a more balanced and objective manner shows a real commitment to journalistic integrity. I deeply appreciate their willingness to listen and improve, which reflects respect for the community and dedication to fair, unbiased reporting. 👏🏼Please join me in thanking Homer News for these positive changes and supporting their ongoing efforts. Let’s encourage them to make unbiased journalism a lasting standard for our local paper. #homernews #TruthMatters #TPUSA #charliekirk”
September 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Moving this up in my tbr this week just for no specific reason at all.
A copy of “How Media Ownership Matters” by Rodney Benson, Mattias Hessérus, Timothy Neff and Julie Sedel, published by Oxford University Press in April 2025, rests on a desk near Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
September 26, 2025 at 8:15 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
And here's a screenshot of the story as it appears in today's edition of the Homer News (though the story is too long to include fully as alt text)
"Homer holds vigil for Charlie Kirk; highlights opening of local Turning Point Education private school" by Chloe Pleznac. The full body of the text is too large for alt text, but the paragraphs that seem to be targeted by Vance are "Kirk was a far-right political activist and Christian-Nationalist icon. He regularly toured college campuses across the country, engaging college students in debates where he defended his often racist and controversial views, including criticism of the Civil Rights Act and the work of Martin Luther King Jr., opposition to gun control and affirmative action, and his perpetuation of conspiracy theories, including COVID-19 and climate misinformation, as well as replacement theory. Kirk became civically engaged while still in high school, making his first appearance on Fox News at the age of 17 and co-founding Turning Point USA at 18, after dropping out of college. Turning Point produces resources for conservative students, including Professor Watchlist, a website created to “expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom,” and Turning Point Education, which supports a network of schools across the country that promote conservative, Christian values."
September 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Here's her letter in its entirety (with alt text)
Dear Mr. Carr, I am writing to express my outrage over the article “Homer holds vigil for Charlie Kirk” published in the Homer News on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. This piece is not journalism, but rather it is hate-baiting at its worst. Instead of honoring a community grieving the violent murder of a national figure, the article weaponized inflammatory labels and partisan rhetoric, turning a solemn vigil into an excuse for ideological attacks. From the opening paragraphs, reporter Chloe Pleznac branded Charlie Kirk with prejudicial labels such as “far-right” and “Christian-Nationalist icon,” while smearing his views as “racist,” “controversial,” and “conspiracy theories.” These are not facts, they are editorial judgments and political talking points. If the intent was to write an opinion piece, it should have been clearly marked as such. What is most disturbing is how this writing buried the true story: that hundreds of Alaskans gathered to mourn a man who inspired tens of thousands of students nationwide and whose life has been formally recognized by the U.S. Senate with a National Day of Remembrance. That meaningful context was deliberately sidelined in favor of character assassination. And let me be clear, this is not an isolated lapse. The historic bias of the Homer News is widely recognized in the community, and this article represents the peak of a long-standing pattern of left-wing slant. This is not simply one story or one reporter that is to blame, rather it reflects a deeper editorial culture that has eroded public trust in your publication for years. Because of this ongoing bias, I am fully aware of a growing movement to boycott Homer News advertising. Local businesses are openly discussing pulling their dollars, and many readers are ready to walk away altogether. If the paper continues to treat community events as opportunities for partisan spin, the consequence will be financial as well as reputational. Journalism demands fairness. It requires respect for grieving families and for the communities that gather in difficult moments. What the Homer News published instead read like an obituary drafted by a political adversary. It cheapened the event, insulted the participants, and further discredited your paper and corporate leadership. I urge you to take immediate corrective action. Review your editorial standards, review this reporter’s body of work, and make it clear that Sound Publishing will no longer tolerate agenda-driven “reporting” masquerading as news. The future credibility of the Homer News, and its advertising base, depends on it. Respectfully, Rep. Sarah Vance
September 25, 2025 at 5:23 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
If you saw me running across Soldotna Creek Park to catch the very cool Diamond Dance Project perform “Soda Pop” from “KPop Demon Hunters” at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival no you didn’t.
September 21, 2025 at 12:20 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Who could go outside to cover a food bank fundraiser when this sweet summer child is right here?
Norman the orange cat/menace to civil society takes a Friday afternoon nap on Sept. 19, 2025, near Soldotna, Alaska.
September 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Crashed out about my declining employment prospects today and I’m not saying it’s because I dropped my sandwich but that didn’t help.
A presumably delicious six inch tuna sandwich from Subway sits tuna-side down on the floor of Jake’s Indomitable Toyota 4Runner near Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
September 19, 2025 at 5:41 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
KPop Demon Hunters in my hometown newspaper? It’s more likely than you think.
Jake’s weekly On the Screen film column features “KPop Demon Hunters” in the Aug. 22 print edition of the Peninsula Clarion
August 22, 2025 at 9:18 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Beyond thrilled to be teaming with @a-ohara.bsky.social, as well as KDLL, KBBI and The Seward Folly for another year of live, in-person forums with candidates for local office! Join us at the library; tune in live on the radio; or check out a livestream on the Clarion’s Facebook page!
#aknews
KDLL forums Aug. 21 — Assembly, Kalifornsky seat, at the Soldotna Public Library Aug. 28 — Assembly, Sterling/Funny River seat, at the Soldotna Public Library Sept. 4 — Kenai City Council, at the Kenai Community Library Sept. 10 — Assembly, Soldotna, at the Soldotna Public Library Sept. 17 — School board, Kalifornsky seat, at the Soldotna Public Library Sept. 25 — Assembly, Central and Nikiski seats, at the Soldotna Public Library KBBI forums Sept. 11 — Seward mayoral candidates, at the Seward Community Library Sept. 18 — School board, south and east pen seats, at the Homer Public Library Sept. 24 — Homer City Council, at the Homer Public Library Sept. 29 — Seward City Council, at the Seward Community Library Note: The Sept. 29 forum will be held from 5-6 p.m., while all other forums are 6-7 p.m.
August 21, 2025 at 10:38 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
They can fit a whole lotta sports in the Soldotna Field House.
Children and families tour the Soldotna Field House during its grand opening in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
August 16, 2025 at 11:11 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
More than 100 protesters in Soldotna tonight in support of Ukraine, including one man who told me Trump and Putin's meeting had been a "nothing burger."
Protesters in support of Ukraine line the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Protesters in support of Ukraine line the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Protesters in support of Ukraine wave at passersby on the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Protesters in support of Ukraine line the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
August 16, 2025 at 3:05 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
I’ve never interacted with anyone at the federal level before, not even Alaska’s federal lawmakers, but I thought it was strange that RFK’s security team said they were “requiring” us to bring “letters of introduction” to the press conference in Kenai today. They didn’t even look at them.
A letter from Jake’s editor, dated Aug. 6, 2025, says that he is employed by the Peninsula Clarion.
August 7, 2025 at 9:47 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
After covering fisheries for three years, I saw real setnetting for the first time today as the Cook Inlet east side setnet fishery this week got its first opening in three years.
#aknews
Gary Hollier and other east side setnetters offload sockeye salmon on a beach in Kalifornsky, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) A boat rests on the shore of a setnet site in Kalifornsky, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Gary Hollier, right, watches as a setnet is pulled into a boat in the waters of Cook Inlet in Kalifornsky, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
August 7, 2025 at 2:41 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Sockeye fishing so good on the Kenai River right now that I picked up a rod for the first time and bagged six of these guys.
Jake stands with what is embarrassingly the first salmon he’s ever caught in 28 years of living on the Kenai Peninsula, on the bank of the Kenai River near Soldotna, Alaska, on July 26, 2025.
August 1, 2025 at 11:11 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Got outside this weekend for Soldotna's Progress Days!
Children take candy from a resident of Heritage Place during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Children leap into the air at the start of the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Member Tyson Cox plunges into the dunk tank during “Dunk a Dignitary” at the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Contestants carry real sockeye salmon in the “sockeye sprint,” one of the contests at the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
July 28, 2025 at 10:38 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
They're really out here trying to stabilize the Kenai River bluff.
A large truck is filled with armor rock from Sand Point on a barge floating in the Kenai River. A large truck is filled with armor rock from Sand Point on a barge floating in the Kenai River. A large truck carries armor rock from Sand Point from a barge floating in the Kenai River. A large truck dumps armor rock from Sand Point at the edge of a berm being constructed at the base of the bluffs above the Kenai River.
July 24, 2025 at 1:24 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Kasilof River Mouth, 4 am.
Dipnetting is most definitely afoot.
A handful of fishers stand with dipnets in the water during the first high tide of the 2025 Kasilof River personal use dipnet sockeye salmon fishery.
June 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Pink Pony Club playing at the Salty Dawg Saloon and a sunset over Kachemak Bay, maybe it all will be okay
A sunset can be seen over Kachemak Bay from the Homer Spit
June 20, 2025 at 6:24 AM
jakecdye.bsky.social
Alphaville, 1965
In a screenshot from the French neo-noir film “Alphaville,” Secret Agent Lenny Caution is accosted by a scientist after taking a picture. Caution says ‘Ever noticed that “journalist” starts with a “J,” like “justice”?’ Moments before pulling a gun.
June 12, 2025 at 11:28 PM