Mat-Su Valley
RSSNews from Mat-Su Valley, Alaska
Mat-Su Assembly blocks sales tax proposal before public hearing
Mat-Su Assembly blocked a 1.5% sales tax proposal before public hearing, voting 6-3 to remove it from the agenda. • Assemblymember Nowers wanted to pair the tax with a $75,000 property tax exemption for homeowners. • Opponents said it added taxes rather than replacing them. A different 6.5% sales tax proposal remains scheduled for June 16 hearing.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Mat-Su Planning Commission approves Deshka River watershed land classification
Mat-Su Planning Commission voted May 18 to classify borough-owned land along the Deshka River as watershed to protect cold-water salmon habitat, forwarding the resolution to the Assembly for final approval.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Alaska Proposes $4.4 Billion Synthetic Aviation Fuel Refinery Using Beetle-Killed Trees
Alaska plans $4.4 billion refinery to make 150 million gallons of jet fuel yearly from beetle-killed trees. • Fischer-Tropsch technology costs $4.85 per gallon, cheaper than cooking oil methods. • State imports most aviation fuel despite handling 700 cargo flights weekly through Anchorage. • Federal energy office offers $289 billion in lending authority for qualified projects.
by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago3 min read
Alaska Senate passes special education funding and Palmer judge bills
Alaska Senate unanimously passed bill raising special education funding by 16 percent per student. • Senate also unanimously approved adding a fifth Superior Court judge in Palmer to cut case backlogs from 680 to 540 cases per judge.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
State to use fish pesticide in Sucker Lake to kill invasive pike
Alaska Department of Fish and Game will apply Rotenone fish pesticide to Sucker Lake in August 2026 to kill invasive northern pike, expanding a suppression program that has been limited to side sloughs since 2011.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min readU.S. Education Secretary Tours Mat-Su Career and Charter Schools
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited two Mat-Su schools on May 7 as part of a 50-state tour celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary.
by Alaska News4mo ago1 min readFatal trailer fire in rural Big Lake outside fire-district boundaries
A fatal travel trailer fire on Burma Road in Big Lake on May 6, 2026 exposed gaps in rural fire protection coverage after area firefighters declined to respond to the incident outside established fire district boundaries.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago1 min readBig Lake Man Arrested Twice for DUI in Three Days
Nicholas Bailey, 40, of Big Lake was arrested twice in three days for DUI and refusal to submit to chemical testing following traffic stops in Big Lake and Wasilla.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readMat-Su Parks Recruiting Summer Trail Crew, Campground Workers
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Parks Department is hiring seasonal workers for summer 2026 trail maintenance and campground operations, offering hands-on training in outdoor recreation management.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago1 min read
Wasilla Man Arrested on Domestic Violence Assault Charge
Alaska State Troopers arrested Ross Turner, 33, on domestic violence assault charges after a late-night disturbance at a Wasilla residence where a child was present.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readMat-Su Emergency Services Certifies 25 Responders in Trench Rescue
Twenty-five emergency responders from across the Matanuska-Susitna Borough are completing week-long trench rescue technician certification training to address the common hazard of trench collapses in the region.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Willow Woman Charged After 25 Sled Dogs Found Dead on Property
A Willow woman faces 26 felony animal cruelty charges after 25 sled dogs were found starved to death on her property following months of ignored complaints to Mat-Su Animal Control.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readSenate Finance Advances Agricultural Leasing Reform After Farmer Cites $9,000 Annual Fee
The Senate Finance Committee moved forward with legislation to make state agricultural land more accessible through below-market leases and merit-based selection after hearing testimony about prohibitive appraisal costs.
by Alaska News5mo ago4 min read
Early construction work causes two-hour delays on Palmer commute
Construction work starting at 6 a.m. on April 23 caused two-hour delays for Palmer commuters during morning rush hour.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAlaska House Approves $2M for Talkeetna Trooper Post Using ANWR Funds
The Alaska House of Representatives voted to allocate $2 million from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease revenues to reestablish a state trooper post in Talkeetna, addressing public safety concerns along the Parks Highway corridor.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read