News from Seward, Alaska
A pregnant fin whale that died of a vessel strike was found on a Royal Caribbean ship's bow near Seward. Investigators haven't said which vessel struck it.

NOAA confirmed the Seward whale was a 61-foot pregnant fin whale found on a cruise ship's bow. A necropsy is underway, and federal law enforcement is investigating.

Pacific cod fishing in Resurrection Bay is excellent right now — and the hot spots are a walk from downtown Seward. No boat, no problem. Halibut inside? Less so.

Kings are scarce across Alaska, but Seward's kids just got bonus weeks at a lagoon stocked just for them — fish raised to be caught, by anglers under 16 only.

Alaska Department of Transportation is narrowing lanes and running pilot-car escorts on the Seward Highway between milepost 25.5 and 36 through summer to rehabilitate a 10.5-mile segment near Kenai Lake and Moose Pass.
A pregnant fin whale found dead on a cruise ship's bow in Seward showed injuries consistent with a vessel strike, NOAA said, though the responsible ship remains unclear.

Alaska closed yelloweye rockfish retention through June 30 and cut other rockfish bag limits to three per day through mid-September in Resurrection Bay and the North Gulf Coast to protect spawning fish.

Seward City Council meets Tuesday to decide if it will fund the high school pool, which trained Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby. • The school district plans to close all its pools without new money or a city takeover. • Community swimmers are urging residents to speak at the meeting to keep the facility open.

Sockeye fishing at Resurrection River mouth is unpredictable right now because a hatchery cost-recovery vessel is harvesting from the same run, so the daily bite depends on where the boat is working.

Coast Guard will homeport four icebreakers in Alaska, with two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak by 2028 and a third in Seward, following $3.5 billion in federal funding.

Coast Guard will homeport four icebreakers in Alaska by 2028, with two in Kodiak, one in Seward, and a fourth location to be named, funded by $3.5 billion in federal legislation.

Iron Dog snowmachine race will expand its 2,500-mile route through Huslia, Shungnak, and Ambler after federal wildlife officials reversed a prior denial, clearing permits to cross three national refuges and parks.

Vroom, vroom

University of Virginia's Crystal Ball rated Alaska's 2026 Senate race a toss-up, shifting from lean Republican after Democrat Mary Peltola entered against incumbent Dan Sullivan. • Peltola's campaign says she leads in eight consecutive polls and unveiled a wages-focused tax proposal. • Republican super PACs committed $21 million to oppose her.

Alaska's elections director ruled Thursday that Republican Senate challenger Dan J. Sullivan is ineligible to run in the August primary, citing unspecified complaints about his eligibility.

The Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee unanimously moved House Bill 216 forward Tuesday, advancing legislation that would transfer Alaska Railroad Corporation land to the City of Whittier.

Seward will pay $200,000 a year starting Jan. 1, 2027, to keep its community pool open under a new agreement the City Council approved unanimously on June 22.

Alaska DOT&PF closes the right lane northbound on New Seward Highway at mile 124 Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for guardrail and fencing repairs.

The Coast Guard will station two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak and one in Seward once infrastructure is built, adding a fourth icebreaker to Alaska's fleet with first delivery expected in 2028.

The Coast Guard will homeport two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak and one in Seward starting in 2028, funded by $3.5 billion in the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

Kawerak is offering scholarships covering meals, travel, and lodging for Bering Strait Tribal members to complete a four-week Class A CDL program in Palmer from July 13 to August 6, with applications due June 24.

