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Nenana pioneers Alaska's first biochar boiler for municipal heating
Nenana installed Alaska's first biochar boiler for municipal heating, burning wood chips and waste at 2,000 degrees, but a city official warned the system demands daily monitoring and every-other-day refills, not a hands-off solution like oil heat.

Alaska eyes $3B carbon revenue from 600,000 burned acres
Alaska plans to earn over $3 billion by replanting 600,000 burned acres as carbon offsets over 20 years. • Work requires 5,000 tree planters yearly plus nurseries and equipment, creating seasonal jobs. • Carbon market collapsed in 2024 but is recovering, with oversupply ending in 18 to 24 months.

UAF scientist gets $300K to unlock permafrost's carbon time bomb
UAF scientist gets $300K to study which microbes activate when permafrost thaws and release carbon, a key step to understanding how much greenhouse gas could escape from Alaska's frozen soils.

King Salmon Fishing Closed Across Tanana Drainage Due to Yukon Forecast
Alaska closed all king salmon sport fishing in the Tanana River drainage on May 21 due to a below-average Yukon River forecast, affecting the Chena, Goodpaster, and Salcha Rivers.

Alaska DOT imposes four-tier weight limits on Northern Region roads
Alaska DOT limits truck weights on Northern Region roads starting May 21 due to spring thaw. • Restrictions range from 50 to 100 percent of legal axle load depending on road condition. • Major highways like Parks Highway stay at full weight, while rural roads drop to 50 percent. • Elliot and Dalton highways exempt from seasonal limits.
Oklo targets 2030 for Alaska's first small nuclear reactor at Eielson
Oklo builds Alaska's first small nuclear reactor at Eielson Air Force Base, starting 2027, operating 2030. • 5 megawatts electricity plus steam for base heating needs. • Over 300 construction jobs, 70 to 80 permanent positions. • Based on proven fast reactor design with 400 years global experience.

Alaska raises wildfire alert as dry grass fuels 63 early-season fires
Alaska raised wildfire alert to Level 2 as 63 early-season fires burn 368 acres in dry grass. • Most fires are human-caused in Interior Alaska where snow melted but plants haven't greened. • Smokeyjumpers deployed to Sawmill Creek Fire near Delta Junction after campfire start. • Agency urges caution and debris clearing as fire season starts earlier due to climate change.

National Lab, University of Alaska Fairbanks sign energy partnership
National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Alaska Fairbanks expanded their partnership Wednesday to focus on critical minerals, energy infrastructure, and workforce development for Alaska's energy sector.

One Spot Left in Denali Wildfire and Wildlife Workshop for Educators
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has one remaining spot in its June 2026 Wildfire and Wildlife educator workshop in Denali National Park, part of its Wildlife Education and Outreach program's summer professional development offerings.
Fairbanks council blocks mayor's cabin deal, demands open bidding
Fairbanks City Council rejected Mayor O'Neall's negotiated lease for a downtown riverfront cabin and ordered a competitive bidding process instead.
Railbelt grid operator holds five subcommittee meetings in eight days
DNR receives 24 placer mining applications for Interior Alaska gold districts
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.
Interior transfers 1.4 million acres in Dalton corridor to Alaska
The Department of the Interior says the conveyance moves Alaska past 96% of its statehood land entitlement. State officials are taking public comment through June 26 on access across the corridor.
Aurora Borealis Lights Up Kodiak and Interior Alaska Skies
Residents in Kodiak and Interior Alaska reported seeing a vibrant aurora borealis display on the evening of April 18, 2026, sharing photos and videos of the event that occurred during the current solar maximum period.
Vivid Northern Lights Draw Fairbanks Viewers to Night Sky
Fairbanks and North Pole residents witnessed vivid aurora borealis displays on April 19, 2026, featuring intense formations that matched UAF Geophysical Institute forecasts during the ongoing solar maximum period.

Smoke from Boundary Fire Settles Over Tanana, Residents Report Health Impacts
Heavy smoke from the Boundary Fire settled over Tanana on May 4, prompting health complaints from residents and disrupting subsistence activities in the village of 300.
Flash flood inundates Anderson home as water rises over 6 feet overnight
A flash flood in Anderson, Alaska, caused water to rise more than 6 feet overnight on May 3-4, flooding at least one home in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area village of 250 residents.
Fairbanks Borough mails 2026 property assessment notices
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assessing Department sent annual property assessment notices to all property owners at the end of January, showing current and previous year values that may increase based on neighborhood sales prices.

House panel ties Alaska gas line tax breaks to Fairbanks spur line
House Resources Committee advances substitute bill requiring Alaska LNG project to build spur line to Fairbanks North Star Borough as condition for receiving tax incentives, ensuring Interior residents pay same tariff as Southcentral customers.

Fairbanks father's testimony drives push for faster body cam release
The House State Affairs Committee heard emotional testimony from a Fairbanks father whose sons were shot by state troopers, fueling support for a bill requiring police to release body camera footage within 30 days of use-of-force incidents that result in death or serious injury.

Denali Borough mayor opposes state control of pipeline tax payments
Denali Borough's mayor testified against a provision in SB 280 that would route pipeline tax revenue through the state legislature, seeking direct payments and upfront impact fees instead.

Energy consultant: Alaska LNG tax bill could cut delivered cost by 20 cents
Energy consultant tells House Resources Committee that proposed alternative volumetric tax in HB 381 would reduce delivered cost to Asia by roughly 20 cents per MMBtu compared to current property tax, potentially making the $46+ billion project more competitive globally while still generating stable municipal revenue.

How to challenge your property assessment in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Property owners in Fairbanks North Star Borough have 30 days from the January assessment notice to appeal their property valuation, but must provide specific evidence and pay taxes on time even while the appeal is pending.

Galena School District Shows Early Learning Drives Math, Reading Gains
Galena City School District demonstrates how grant-funded early childhood programs starting at 8 months, combined with extended school days and intervention blocks, are producing above-national-average results in math and literacy for students in early grades.

3-Year-Old Dies After Falling Through Ice in Goodnews Bay
A 3-year-old boy died after falling through thin ice on the Goodnews River in Goodnews Bay on April 23, prompting a community search and an ongoing Trooper investigation.
Senate panel hears autonomous vehicle bill requiring human operators
The Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 148, which would require human safety operators in commercial autonomous vehicles operating in Alaska.

Northern lights draw crowds to Fairbanks and Kodiak viewing spots
Interior hunters report early black bear harvests as spring season begins
Interior Alaska hunters are reporting early spring black bear harvests on social media as the April-May season begins, contributing to statewide annual harvests that average 2,800 to 3,250 bears and support predator management programs.
Fairbanks and Kodiak Residents Capture Last Aurora Displays Before Midnight Sun
Alaska residents share bear and moose encounters as spring wildlife season begins
Alaska House Panel Advances Bill to Speed Up State Contract Payments
The House Finance Committee narrowly approved legislation requiring faster payment of state contracts despite concerns about $1 million+ costs and potential consequences for small nonprofits.
Fairbanks Seeks $3.5M in State Funding to Host 2028 Arctic Winter Games
Fairbanks organizers are pursuing state funding to host the 2028 Arctic Winter Games after quickly raising initial funds, with support from local officials and the potential for significant economic impact.
State seeks public comment on Yukon River salmon fishing rules by April 30
The Alaska Board of Fisheries is seeking public comment by April 30 on adding traditional knowledge to Yukon River salmon management regulations.