Alaska
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Dunleavy to Call Special Session on Gas Line Property Tax Within Hour of Adjournment
Dunleavy calls special session within one hour of adjournment to cut property taxes on Alaska's gas pipeline project. • Current law imposes roughly one billion dollars in annual taxes, making the project uncompetitive. • Federal support depends on Alaska restructuring its tax system to make the project viable. • Municipalities must accept lower taxes to help finance the project.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska Legislature fails to override veto of pension bill
Alaska Legislature fell seven votes short of overriding the governor's veto of a bill that would have restored pension options for public employees and teachers, voting 33-27 when 40 votes were needed.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI
Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference explores future of statewide energy systems
Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference opened May 19 in Anchorage with nearly 1,000 energy leaders from 35 states and 10 countries. • Alaska signed a memorandum with National Laboratory of the Rockies on mineral supply and remote energy reliability. • Alaska and Yukon renewed an accord creating working groups on Arctic dialogue and transportation.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI
Federal program offers Alaska SUD workers up to $250,000 in loan repayment
A federal loan repayment program offers Alaska substance use disorder workers up to $250,000 for student loans in exchange for six years of service at approved facilities, with applications due June 23, 2026.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min readAIJuneau 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 ago4 min readAI
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 ago2 min readAI
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 ago4 min readAI
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 ago3 min readAI
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 ago3 min readAI
Lake Hood tenant secures 55-year lease at 12 cents per square foot
Alaska DOT&PF proposes a 55-year lease to Lake Hood Air Harbor, Inc. for 60,037 square feet at 12 cents per square foot annually, with public comments accepted through June 18, 2026.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAIAlaska 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 ago4 min readAI
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 ago2 min readAI
House Finance Committee advances PFD restoration for wrongfully convicted
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAIAlaska House Passes Baby Box Bill 35-5
The Alaska House passed SB 9, authorizing baby boxes for safe infant surrender, in a 35 to 5 vote, but the identities and reasoning of the five dissenting members remain undisclosed.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAIAlaska Positioned as Prime Location for AI Data Center Growth
by Melinda Communities.News4mo ago2 min readAI
Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema Identifies Alaska as Prime AI Data Center Location
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAI
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 ago3 min readAI
Federal Officials Push Permitting Reform to Unlock Alaska's Critical Minerals
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAI
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 ago2 min readAI
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 ago3 min readAI
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 ago3 min readAI
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 ago2 min readAI
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 ago2 min readAI
Craig, Klawock Anglers Face New Ban on Filleting Fish at Sea
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has banned marine anglers from filleting or de-heading lingcod, nonpelagic rockfish, and king or coho salmon at sea when returning to Craig and Klawock ports, requiring fish to remain whole for creel sampling.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAIChiniak Highway hit with 50% weight limit, toughest in Kodiak area
A six-mile section of Chiniak Highway faces a 50% weight restriction starting May 15, 2026, the most severe seasonal limit in the Kodiak road system.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAIAlaska seeks control of hazardous waste program as rural areas face shift
EPA tentatively approved Alaska taking over hazardous waste oversight from federal control by August 2026. • Public comment period runs through July 2, 2026 on the shift. • Rural communities and tribes worry state agency may not enforce rules as strictly as EPA did. • Businesses may see faster permitting but face uncertainty during transition to state standards.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska lowers bar for toddlers to get early intervention services
Alaska Legislature passed a bill lowering the eligibility threshold for early intervention services from 50 percent to 25 percent developmental delay, allowing thousands more young children to receive help.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAIPikka field begins oil production on Alaska's North Slope
The Pikka oil field on Alaska's North Slope has begun production and is projected to become the state's second-largest oil source, producing about 80,000 barrels per day in its first phase.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min readAIAlaska 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 ago2 min readAI
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 ago2 min readAI
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 ago3 min readAI
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 ago3 min readAI
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 ago3 min readAI
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 ago2 min readAI
House approves stricter hunting residency rules in divided vote
The Alaska House of Representatives voted 24-16 Sunday to approve new residency standards for hunting and fishing licenses, with the measure set to take effect in 2028.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAIAlaska manufacturers have 11 days to enter state's top award
The Made in Alaska program has opened nominations for its 2025 Manufacturer of the Year award with a May 29, 2026 deadline, offering winners a custom bowl, state publicity, and Alaska Manufacturing Association membership.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAI
House Finance advances tobacco age increase, e-cigarette tax on 7-4 vote
The Alaska House Finance Committee voted 7-4 Sunday to advance a bill raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products to 21 and imposing new retail taxes on e-cigarettes, after rejecting amendments to exempt active-duty military members and to use a wholesale tax structure.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min readAIHouse 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 ago3 min readAI
Alaska deploys $272M rural health program through regional meetings
Alaska's Department of Health is implementing a $272 million federal rural health program through regional stakeholder meetings, with sessions completed in Seward, Kenai, and Fairbanks and more scheduled for Mat-Su and Anchorage.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAISenate 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 ago4 min readAI