Local news, from the source.

Crews battle South Anchorage vegetation fire near 100th Avenue and C Street

Firefighters responded to a vegetation fire in South Anchorage near 100th Avenue and C Street on Tuesday afternoon, with the fire growing from 2 to 5 acres and threatening one trailer.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Juneau Assembly Finance Committee votes 6-3 to end gondola project, repay Goldbelt

The Juneau Assembly Finance Committee voted 6-3 Tuesday to direct staff to end the Eagle Crest gondola project and draft an ordinance to repay Goldbelt and terminate the revenue sharing agreement, after construction costs ballooned from $7 million to $27 million.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

House Passes Civics Education Bill After Decade-Long Push

The Alaska House voted 37-3 to require comprehensive civics education for K-12 students, mandating instruction on founding documents and government structure ahead of America's 250th anniversary.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Alaska Senate advances sweeping public safety bill with AI child abuse provisions

The Alaska State Senate unanimously approved an 80-page public safety omnibus bill that raises the age of consent to 18, criminalizes AI-generated child sexual abuse material, and expands the state parole board.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Joint committee forwards $16M school bond with flood mitigation funds

The Joint Assembly-School District Facilities Committee approved forwarding a $16 million school facilities bond to the Finance Committee after Mayor Beth Weldon amended the proposal to add $300,000 for flood control and erosion mitigation at school properties.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Dunleavy vetoes public pension bill, leaving override as long shot

Governor Dunleavy vetoed legislation that would have reopened a defined benefit pension option for Alaska public employees and teachers, citing fiscal and legal concerns.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

House Finance adds feral cat spay-neuter provisions to invasive species bill

The Alaska House Finance Committee voted 9-2 to amend an invasive species management bill to include provisions allowing spaying and neutering of feral and community cats without landowner permission, despite objections that the additions were unrelated to the bill's original purpose.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Senate panel advances education bill with energy relief, loan program

The Senate Finance Committee approved a comprehensive education bill Monday that provides energy cost relief to school districts and expands teacher student loan repayment programs.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Alaska Senate Passes Statewide Styrofoam Ban for Restaurants

The Alaska Senate voted 13-7 Monday to ban polystyrene food containers at restaurants statewide, citing health and environmental concerns, with the measure taking effect January 1, 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Alaska Positioned as Prime Location for AI Data Center Growth

by Melinda Communities.News4mo ago

Alaska's environmental chief calls EPA partnership under Trump the best of his career

Alaska's environmental chief says the Trump administration EPA is the most collaborative federal partner he has seen in 25 years, citing streamlined permitting and respect for state expertise over federal review.

by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago

Seven Anchorage patients develop rare heart infection from gonorrhea

Alaska health officials reported seven cases of gonococcal endocarditis in Anchorage between December 2024 and March 2026, with one death, linked to homelessness and drug use.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

State Signs Deal to Develop Geothermal Energy at Mount Augustine Volcano

Alaska signed an agreement with South Korean firm POSCO International to develop geothermal energy and green methanol production at Mount Augustine volcano in Cook Inlet, part of a six-project development deal.

by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago

Alaska LNG Project Targets 2029 Gas Delivery as Developer Reports Major Contract Awards

Glenfarne's lead developer announced Alaska LNG is advancing toward final investment decision with 13 million tonnes of reservations signed and construction contracts let, positioning the project to deliver gas in 2029.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Interior Secretary urges Alaska to build LNG project quickly amid Asian demand

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told an Alaska energy conference that overwhelming Asian demand for natural gas makes the Alaska LNG project strategically critical, urging the state to move quickly on the $50 billion pipeline and export terminal.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Public Commenter Blames Management Turmoil for $12M Gondola Cost Surge

A public commenter told the Assembly Tuesday that forced management changes and procurement delays added millions to the Eagle Crest gondola project, with Trump tariffs worsening costs after two construction seasons were lost.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Alaska LNG Pipeline Gains Momentum with Federal Support, Asian Demand

Alaska's decades-discussed natural gas pipeline project is closer to reality than ever, with strong federal backing and 18 Asian countries expressing interest in purchasing Alaska LNG, potentially transforming the state's economy.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema Identifies Alaska as Prime AI Data Center Location

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Federal Officials Push Permitting Reform to Unlock Alaska's Critical Minerals

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Alaska lawmakers review paid parental leave bill funded by payroll taxes

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee heard testimony Tuesday on a bill that would create an 8-12 week paid parental leave program funded by new payroll taxes, with benefits not available until 2030.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Alaska House debates youth vaping penalties amid justice concerns

Alaska House members debated a proposed $100 civil fine for minors possessing nicotine products, with opponents citing research showing youth processed through justice systems face worse outcomes and supporters arguing the penalty is needed to combat youth vaping.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Senate panel advances gas pipeline tax bill after 36 hearings

The Alaska Senate Resources Committee advanced Senate Bill 280, a gas pipeline tax structure bill, after two months of hearings despite concerns about limited project information and lack of administration support.

by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago

House panel hears bill to restore PFDs for wrongfully convicted Alaskans

The House Finance Committee heard testimony Sunday on legislation that would allow Alaskans whose convictions are overturned to reclaim Permanent Fund dividends they lost while incarcerated.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago

Senate panel reviews oil tax floor increase projecting $132M annual gain

The Alaska Senate Resources Committee heard Department of Revenue analysis showing that raising the oil production tax minimum floor from 4% to 6% would generate an average of $132 million annually in additional state revenue from fiscal years 2027 through 2036, though complex interactions with tax credits could produce a negative revenue impact in some years.

by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago

Alaska House panel hears bill to shield ratepayers from data center costs

The House Community and Regional Affairs Committee heard testimony Monday on SB 250, which would prohibit data centers from passing infrastructure costs like transmission lines onto residential electricity ratepayers, a consumer protection measure inspired by Trump administration proposals as Alaska considers major data center development.

by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago