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Monday, Aug 3

Mat-Su commission backs the $9 million road route over the $30 million one

Mat-Su's planning commission backed a $9 million southern road route over a northern one pegged at up to $31 million, overruling a staff recommendation. The assembly decides next.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Mat-Su commission backs the $9 million road route over the $30 million one

A Haida class spends two years recovering a 74-line migration story

A Haida class spent two years retranscribing a single 74-line migration story, uncovering meaning a century-old English translation had flattened — and connecting a scattered Haida diaspora through the work.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: A Haida class spends two years recovering a 74-line migration story

Utility warns of rolling blackouts in Southcentral as soon as this winter

At a Municipality of Anchorage press conference last week, MEA's CEO warned that Southcentral could see rolling blackouts as soon as November if Cook Inlet gas falls short — the first time in 45 years he says he can't guarantee power.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley, Alaska1
Cover image for article: Utility warns of rolling blackouts in Southcentral as soon as this winter

Anchorage weighs $1 million for nonprofits feeding and sheltering vulnerable residents

Anchorage votes Tuesday on just over $1 million for nonprofits providing food, emergency shelter and other essential services to the city's most vulnerable residents.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage weighs $1 million for nonprofits feeding and sheltering vulnerable residents

Riding a defense boom, Kodiak looks to send a member to D.C. for funds

Amid a defense boom — icebreakers, a Coast Guard base and missile-defense launches — Kodiak is moving to send a member to D.C. for infrastructure money.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Riding a defense boom, Kodiak looks to send a member to D.C. for funds

Juneau hunters can take two low-cost Fish and Game classes this August

Juneau hunters can grab two cheap Fish and Game classes before fall, scope mounting for $15 or a full day of wilderness survival for $25. Spots are limited.

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Juneau hunters can take two low-cost Fish and Game classes this August

Tribes objected to a federal rollback of Native welfare rules. HHS did it anyway.

HHS is cutting federal rules governing Native welfare-to-work programs run by Alaska's tribal nonprofits — over objections from tribal organizations that said they weren't properly consulted, and that called it a sovereignty concern.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Alaska
Cover image for article: Tribes objected to a federal rollback of Native welfare rules. HHS did it anyway.

Troopers arrest three Fairbanks-area drivers on DUI charges

Fairbanks troopers arrested three impaired drivers over the weekend, all well over the limit — including one who blew 0.248 with cocaine allegedly in his truck.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Troopers arrest three Fairbanks-area drivers on DUI charges

More from Alaska

Anchorage moves to sell an old Government Hill fire station to Chugach Electric

Anchorage would sell the old Government Hill fire station to Chugach Electric for $470,000, no bidding, since Chugach already leases it for a communications tower.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage moves to sell an old Government Hill fire station to Chugach Electric

Most of the deer Alaska moved to the Kenai died over winter. The state is trying again.

Most of the 19 deer Alaska moved to the southern Kenai last fall died over a brutal winter, but the state is releasing 15 to 20 more this fall to try to build a future huntable herd.

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Most of the deer Alaska moved to the Kenai died over winter. The state is trying again.

Strong winds hit the Anchorage Hillside and Turnagain Arm, with outages possible

Strong winds are hitting the Anchorage Hillside and Turnagain Arm, gusting up to 60 mph through Tuesday morning. Secure loose items — power outages are possible.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Strong winds hit the Anchorage Hillside and Turnagain Arm, with outages possible

Wasilla man cited for motorized vehicle use in Palmer Hay Flats refuge

A Wasilla man was cited for driving a motorized vehicle in Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, where off-road use is restricted to permitted activities in specific seasons and terrain.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, Alaska
Cover image for article: Wasilla man cited for motorized vehicle use in Palmer Hay Flats refuge

Anchorage is considering expanding its surveillance network. The privacy rules are still a draft.

Anchorage votes Tuesday on $1.4M for police, including a surveillance center that logs cars, faces and movement — paid for with seized cash and federal money that never reaches the public budget, in the rare state whose constitution promises a right to privacy.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago3 min read
1
Cover image for article: Anchorage is considering expanding its surveillance network. The privacy rules are still a draft.

Craig and Klawock anglers must keep their catch whole until the dock

Sport anglers out of Craig and Klawock have to keep rockfish, lingcod and salmon whole until the dock so creel samplers can measure the catch.

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Prince of Wales Island, Alaska
Cover image for article: Craig and Klawock anglers must keep their catch whole until the dock

A war half a world away is about to freeze into rural Alaska's winter fuel bills

Rural Alaska buys a year of fuel in one summer barge delivery, so the Iran-driven price spike will lock into winter bills — with heating fuel hitting $15/gallon in some villages and the state's main subsidy covering none of it.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago4 min readFrom
Interior Alaska
Cover image for article: A war half a world away is about to freeze into rural Alaska's winter fuel bills

Flames at Fairbanks airport this week are a drill, not an emergency

Those flames and smoke at Fairbanks airport this week are a scheduled firefighting drill, Aug. 3-7 — timed with notice so no one mistakes them for wildfire.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Flames at Fairbanks airport this week are a drill, not an emergency

About Alaska

Alaska is a United States state spanning Arctic, subarctic and coastal regions. Its communities range from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau to Kodiak, the North Slope and villages such as McGrath and Adak that sit off the road system.

The Legislature, the governor's office and state agencies set policy on oil and gas, fisheries, transportation and public lands, and state boards such as the Board of Fisheries and the AIDEA board decide on catch rules, loans and investments. Cities and boroughs keep their own budgets, taxes, liquor licenses and planning decisions.

Questions that recur across the state include local budgets and tax rates, fishery catch limits, air service and ports for remote communities, and decisions on state land. Federal agencies and courts also shape life in Alaska, from air service contracts for rural towns to the certification of statewide election results.

More from Alaska

Kenai school board weighs AI classroom rules ahead of the school year

Kenai's school board is trying to write AI classroom rules firm enough to matter but loose enough to last, the same bind every district is in. They want them set by fall.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Kenai school board weighs AI classroom rules ahead of the school year

A staffing gap at the state is delaying Alaska school-improvement grants against a hard deadline

Alaska's school-improvement grant approvals are stalled by staff vacancies at the state — with districts facing an Oct. 31 deadline to lock in their reimbursements.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: A staffing gap at the state is delaying Alaska school-improvement grants against a hard deadline

A Juneau builder with a long wetlands-filling history moves to settle federal charges

Federal and state authorities lodged a settlement with Duran Construction over Clean Water Act wetlands violations, but the public comment period has not yet been scheduled.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: A Juneau builder with a long wetlands-filling history moves to settle federal charges

Alaska and Canadian crews fight a wildfire across the border

Alaska and Canadian crews are fighting a 20- to 30-acre wildfire 3 miles south of the Alcan Highway, with no evacuations or highway impacts expected.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min read
Alcan Highway, Alaska
Cover image for article: Alaska and Canadian crews fight a wildfire across the border

The jet bridges at the Anchorage airport are wearing out

Those clunky old jet bridges at the Anchorage airport are wearing out, and the state is replacing them gate by gate through 2028. Two more are up for bid now.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readFrom
Cover image for article: The jet bridges at the Anchorage airport are wearing out

A cabin fire spread into a small wildfire north of Fairbanks

A cabin fire near the Chatanika River north of Fairbanks spread into a quarter-acre wildfire Sunday. Smokejumpers worked to contain it and watched it overnight.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Chatanika River, Alaska
Cover image for article: A cabin fire spread into a small wildfire north of Fairbanks

An Eagle River man is accused of feeding bears, which can get them killed

Hey! No feeding the bears....allegedly.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: An Eagle River man is accused of feeding bears, which can get them killed

Sunday, Aug 2

Anchorage would sell rights over its City Hall lot below appraisal

Anchorage would sell two private firms the right to keep part of the City Hall lot building-free — $80K under appraisal, for a downtown project not yet filed.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage would sell rights over its City Hall lot below appraisal

Kenai weighs federal housing funds for Sixth Street water and sewer work

Kenai weighs using federal housing grant money to help fund water, sewer and street work on Sixth Street, with a public hearing and vote Wednesday.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Kenai weighs federal housing funds for Sixth Street water and sewer work

Anchorage Assembly recognizes four Eklutna youth interns for Elders meal program

Anchorage Assembly recognized four Eklutna youth interns who spent the summer harvesting salmon and moose for an Elders Freezer Meal program, then delivered meals to tribal Elders' homes.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly recognizes four Eklutna youth interns for Elders meal program

Neighbors got the tower dropped from a south Anchorage substation rebuild

After a two-year fight, neighbors got Chugach to drop a 65-foot tower from a south Anchorage substation rebuild. A smaller fence-and-noise dispute is left.

Melinda Communities.Newsby Melinda Communities.Newsadded 3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Neighbors got the tower dropped from a south Anchorage substation rebuild

ENSTAR says Cook Inlet output has fallen to a fifth of its 1990s peak, with its firm contract ending in 2033

Cook Inlet is apparently in trouble, well, unless you think rolling backouts are a good deal. And I'm sure somebody in the world does, somewhere

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago4 min read
Cover image for article: ENSTAR says Cook Inlet output has fallen to a fifth of its 1990s peak, with its firm contract ending in 2033

Micciche sets break-even floor on Kenai Peninsula tax break for Alaska LNG

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche set a floor on Alaska LNG tax breaks at 75% off, saying the borough will not accept less than break-even on a $23.6 billion to $28.4 billion facility.

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Micciche sets break-even floor on Kenai Peninsula tax break for Alaska LNG

As the world burns, Alaska stays cool — a regional weather quirk

As Spokane and Europe burn in record heat, Alaska stays cool and barely burning — a regional weather quirk. The Arctic overall still hit record-low ice.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: As the world burns, Alaska stays cool — a regional weather quirk

Seven face sex trafficking charges tied to seven Alaska spa businesses

Seven people face felony sex trafficking charges after a year-long investigation of massage businesses in Wasilla and Anchorage that identified 11 victims.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska
Cover image for article: Seven face sex trafficking charges tied to seven Alaska spa businesses

Kenai dipnet season closes after another strong sockeye run

The Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery closed for 2026 after a late-run sockeye return near 3 million, again clearing Fish and Game's escapement goals. Kasilof stays open through Aug. 7.

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Kenai dipnet season closes after another strong sockeye run

A Medicare rate bump for psychiatric care reaches Alaska's hospitals

Inpatient psychiatric care gets a 2.3% Medicare rate bump Oct. 1 — and it reaches Alaska, where mental health care runs through hospital psychiatric units.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: A Medicare rate bump for psychiatric care reaches Alaska's hospitals

A visiting angler was found dead in the Kenai River near Sterling

A 71-year-old Georgia man who came to fish the Kenai River was found dead near a Sterling boat ramp Friday. Troopers say nothing suspicious has been found.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: A visiting angler was found dead in the Kenai River near Sterling

Alaska Zoo moves injured rescued bear, closes exhibit after threats

A rescued brown bear was moved from the Alaska Zoo after a fight left her hurt, and the backlash brought threats against the other bears, closing the exhibit.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Alaska Zoo moves injured rescued bear, closes exhibit after threats

Juneau's casino opened on shifting ground and now faces suits on two fronts

Juneau's tribal casino opened through a federal opening since rescinded, and now faces the state, a family lawsuit and doubt about whether it's even legal.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Juneau's casino opened on shifting ground and now faces suits on two fronts

Alaska adopts a behavioral health clinic model that can't turn crises away

Alaska is adopting a behavioral health clinic model that can't turn anyone away in a crisis, 24/7, regardless of ability to pay. So far only two clinics qualify.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Alaska adopts a behavioral health clinic model that can't turn crises away

National money is pouring into Alaska's two big races, on every side

National money is flooding Alaska's Senate and House races on all sides, from a dark-money-linked PAC backing Bill Hill to $10.6 million reserved for Mary Peltola.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: National money is pouring into Alaska's two big races, on every side

The state is being asked to bank on a gas line price it may never fully see

Alaska is weighing tax breaks and $800 million for a gas pipeline whose developer says the true cost may never be public. Its disclosed estimate already jumped $10 billion.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: The state is being asked to bank on a gas line price it may never fully see

Seward faces heavy rain and flood risk again, weeks after July storm

Seward faces 2 to 4 inches of rain Monday through Thursday, with flood and landslide risk — the second such threat weeks after a July flood warning.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Seward faces heavy rain and flood risk again, weeks after July storm