• by Ray Schultz , October 3, 2025

Four editors and reporters have resigned from their positions at the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion in Alaska, alleging that the owner Carpenter Media Group surrendered to political pressure to change an article about a vigil for Charlie Kirk.

“Last week, Alaska Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) sent a letter to corporate ownership expressing ‘outrage’ over what she saw as political bias in a Homer News article first published on Tuesday, Sept. 23,” the employees wrote in a letter to Mary Kemmis, senior vice president of Carpenter’s publications in Alaska and Canada.

The letter adds, “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 conclusion, the letter states, “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.”

The letter was signed by: 

• Erin Thompson, regional editor, Peninsula Clarion
• Jeff Helminiak, sports and features editor, Peninsula Clarion
• Chloe Pleznac, reporter, Homer News
• Jake Dye, reporter, Peninsula Clarion