Alaska News

Gas Line Developer Warns Tax Hike Would Delay Project, Jeopardize 2029 Deadline

Glenfarn Alaska LNG told House Finance that the 15-cent volumetric tax in the Resources Committee version would delay the project's final investment decision and threaten the 2029 completion timeline, calling the rate economically unworkable.

by Alaska News4d agoAlaska

Oil industry opposes gas pipeline tax bill over bundled oil tax increases

The Alaska Oil and Gas Association testified Friday against Senate Bill 280, arguing that oil tax increases bundled with gas pipeline incentives could undermine investment momentum in Alaska's oil sector.

by Alaska News2d agoFairbanks

Donlin Gold targets 2027 investment decision on $10B Alaska mine

One of Alaska's largest-ever mining projects is nearing a final investment decision within 18 months, with construction potentially starting in 2028 for a 27-year operation producing 1 million ounces of gold annually.

by Alaska News4d agoJuneau, Alaska

House rejects Galena school funding swap after dramatic rescind vote

The Alaska House of Representatives narrowly rejected an amendment to redirect $5 million from a Galena school renovation to Anchorage and Mat-Su projects after a dramatic rescind vote brought the measure back for reconsideration.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau, Alaska

Alaska House Passes Paid Parental Leave, Exempts Seasonal Workers from Sick Leave

The Alaska House passed a paid parental leave program (8-12 weeks) funded through unemployment insurance contributions while simultaneously exempting seasonal workers and businesses under 10 employees from voter-approved paid sick leave requirements.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau, Alaska

Wasilla Senator's Mother Scammed, Sparks Crypto Kiosk Crackdown

Senator Cathy Tilton's bill to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks passed the Alaska Senate unanimously after her mother was scammed out of thousands of dollars, part of $26 million Alaskans lost to online fraud in 2024.

by Alaska News3d agoJuneau

Alaska Senate tightens hunting residency rules to match PFD standards

The Alaska Senate passed legislation Saturday requiring hunters to be physically present in Alaska for 180 days annually to qualify for resident licenses, mirroring Permanent Fund Dividend requirements.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau, Alaska

State proposes 50-year lease for gas-powered data center near Deadhorse

Alaska DNR is accepting public comments through June 15 on a proposed 50-year lease for a 715-acre gas-powered data center facility near Deadhorse.

by Alaska News5d agoDeadhorse

House panel cuts youth tobacco fines, advances Tobacco 21 bill

Alaska's House Finance Committee reduced proposed fines for minors possessing tobacco from $300 to $100 and eliminated mandatory court appearances, advancing legislation to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21 and tax vaping products.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau

Senate Finance advances public safety bill with parole board overhaul

The Senate Finance Committee advanced a comprehensive public safety bill Saturday that restructures the parole board, creates an address confidentiality program for crime victims, and establishes a tribal liaison in corrections.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau

House panel advances retirement savings program for private workers

The House Finance Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 21, which would create Alaska Work and Save, an automatic IRA program for employees whose employers do not offer retirement plans.

by Alaska News2d agoJuneau

Yukon Chum Salmon Forecast Misses Escapement Goal, Triggers Fishery Closures

Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed Yukon River drainage chum salmon fisheries after the 2026 preseason forecast of 345,600 fish fell below the 500,000 minimum escapement goal, triggering automatic closures under state regulation.

by Alaska News3d agoFairbanks

Senate approves mental health education bill after six-year push

The Alaska Senate voted 17-3 Friday to concur with House amendments to a bill requiring age-appropriate mental health education in schools, marking the culmination of a six-year legislative effort.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau, Alaska

Senate panel advances civil rights commission bill with new settlement tool

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved a bill Friday that adds a predetermination agreement procedure to the State Commission for Civil Rights, sending the measure to Senate Rules.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau

Downtown library to be named for Anchorage's original townsite

Anchorage's Public Naming Commission scheduled a June 10 public hearing on naming a new downtown library the Anchorage Original Townsite Downtown Library, honoring donor Janet Goetz's wishes and the city's historic core.

by Alaska News1d agoAnchorage

State reviews Vitus Marine plan to move 365,000 barrels across Alaska waters

The state is reviewing Vitus Marine's oil spill response plan for transporting up to 365,000 barrels of fuel across Cook Inlet, Bristol Bay, and Western Alaska waters, with public comments due June 12.

by Alaska News5d agoAlaska

House Finance Hears Sharp Divide Over $95M for West Susitna Road

The House Finance Committee heard nearly two hours of testimony on a $95 million appropriation for the West Susitna Access Road, with opponents calling it a subsidy for foreign mining companies and supporters arguing it would unlock economic development.

by Alaska News1w agoAlaska, USA

Alaska House passes mental health education bill after emotional debate

The Alaska House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 41 by a 27-13 vote Thursday, requiring the state to develop optional mental health curriculum guidelines for K-12 schools to address Alaska's nation-leading youth suicide rate.

by Alaska News2d agoJuneau, Alaska

Senate panel advances bill requiring humans in autonomous commercial vehicles

The Alaska Senate State Affairs Committee voted Saturday to advance a bill requiring human safety operators in autonomous commercial vehicles, despite warnings from industry representatives that the measure would effectively ban driverless technology in the state.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau, Alaska

Alaska Legislature Passes Bill Recognizing Gold, Silver as Legal Tender

The Alaska Legislature has passed HB 1, which recognizes gold and silver as legal tender and exempts precious metal transactions from local sales taxes, with the bill now awaiting Governor Dunleavy's signature.

by Alaska News4d agoJuneau

Alaska House doubles bulk fuel loan cap to $1.5 million

The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation raising the bulk fuel loan cap from $750,000 to $1.5 million for communities under 2,000 people, responding to soaring fuel costs driven by overseas conflict and the coldest Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta winter in 15 years.

by Alaska News4d agoJuneau, Alaska

Slipper Lake weapons discharge banned Saturday for annual cleanup event

Alaska DNR temporarily bans weapons discharge at Slipper Lake Public Use Site for seven hours on May 16, 2026, to protect volunteers during the annual Jonesville cleanup event.

by Alaska News4d agoSlipper Lake Public Use Site

House Finance Advances Paid Parental Leave Bill

The Alaska House Finance Committee voted 7-4 to advance a paid parental leave bill that would create a new payroll tax and provide up to 12 weeks of benefits, despite warnings the fund could be depleted by 2040 and concerns about small business exemptions creating legal vulnerabilities.

by Alaska News5d agoJuneau

House Finance advances civics education bill after rejecting military exemption

The Alaska House Finance Committee moved a civics education bill forward Saturday after voting down an amendment that would have exempted active-duty military children from a new graduation requirement.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau, Alaska

Air Force seeks permit to spray herbicides in Eielson cooling pond

Eielson Air Force Base is seeking a state permit to apply three herbicides in its cooling pond to prevent aquatic vegetation from clogging power plant intake systems, with public comments due June 13, 2026.

by Alaska News4d agoEielson Airforce Base

8-Year Boundary Error in Jonesville PUA Finally Corrected

An eight-year-old boundary error in legislation creating the Jonesville Public Use Area is being corrected after unanimous legislative approval, allowing DNR to finally complete regulations for the area.

by Alaska News1d agoJonesville Public Use Area, Sutton, Alaska

Aleutian Airways seeks 4-month terminal space at Anchorage airport

Aleutian Airways LLC is seeking a 120-day terminal lease at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport from May through September, with public comments due May 21.

by Alaska News2d agoTed Stevens Anchorage International Airport

State seeks bids for Dalton Highway gravel stockpiling project

Alaska DOT is accepting bids until June 9, 2026, for a federally funded project to stockpile road aggregate along the Dalton Highway.

by Alaska News2d agoDalton Highway, Alaska

Nome subsistence salmon fishers face new weekly schedule, 25-fish limits

Alaska Department of Fish and Game has established a Wednesday-to-Monday subsistence fishing schedule and 25-fish household limits for Norton Sound salmon fisheries in 2026, prioritizing escapement and subsistence needs over commercial harvest.

by Alaska News2d agoNome

Urban Design Commission splits on apartment buffer variance

The Anchorage Urban Design Commission approved a landscaping variance for the west boundary of a 36-unit apartment expansion but denied the same relief for the south boundary, where neighbors have spent over $20,000 fighting water damage from the property.

by Alaska News1d agoAnchorage

Alaska Senate advances university regents reform bill with 2027 start date

The Alaska Senate moved forward legislation Thursday that would restructure the University of Alaska Board of Regents, pushing the effective date to February 2027 and drawing bipartisan support from at least 10 senators who signed on as cross-sponsors.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau, Alaska

House committee advances LGBTQ anti-discrimination bill on 4-3 vote

The Alaska House State Affairs Committee voted 4-3 Thursday to advance HB 301, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity protections to state civil rights law covering employment, housing, and public accommodations.

by Alaska News1d agoJuneau

Railbelt grid operator holds five subcommittee meetings in eight days

by Alaska News1d ago

DNR receives 24 placer mining applications for Interior Alaska gold districts

by Alaska News1d ago