Politics & Government

Mat-Su Planning Commission backs Oil Well Road community council district

Mat-Su Planning Commission recommended the Assembly create a community council district for Oil Well Road property owners, which would let them seek state grants if incorporated.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Two out-of-state men face felony drug charges after Juneau Davis Avenue raid

A Southeast Alaska drug task force arrested two out-of-state men in Juneau on Sept. 30 after seizing fentanyl, heroin, three handguns and nearly 69,000 dollars from a Davis Avenue home.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

State tentatively approves Pitkas Point cemetery lease

The state tentatively approved a no-rent, 55-year lease of 1.15 acres to Pitka's Point's tribal council for a public cemetery. Comments are due Oct. 28.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 28

Fairbanks voters decide tax cap, election date and hand-count initiatives Tuesday

Fairbanks votes Tuesday on locking in its tax cap, moving elections to November and counting every ballot by hand. Six local seats are up, too.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Juneau voters decide Tuesday on sales tax renewal, property tax cap and summer sales tax

Juneau voters decide Tuesday on renewing a 3% sales tax the city says raises about $34 million a year for police, fire, libraries and road work, plus two other tax measures.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readFrom Oct 1

Trump urges Alaskans to reelect Begich in video attacking Hill

Trump released a video Saturday backing Rep. Nick Begich for reelection on Nov. 3, crediting him with tax cuts and the Alaska LNG pipeline while attacking independent challenger Bill Hill.

by Alaska News1mo ago2 min read

Super PAC 'Protecting Alaska Fishermen' commits $1.4M against Sullivan

A brand-new super PAC called Protecting Alaska Fishermen has put $1.4 million against Sen. Dan Sullivan. Who's paying for it isn't public yet.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Troopers arrest Anchorage man after 100 mph pursuit in Wasilla

Alaska State Troopers arrested Anchorage man Xavier Cropley after he drove over 100 mph and fled on foot in Wasilla, facing a felony charge of failure to stop for an officer.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Supreme Court hears Boulder climate case as Alaska backs oil companies

The Supreme Court heard Boulder's climate damages case against Exxon and Suncor Monday. Alaska is one of 26 states siding with the oil companies.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Two drivers hospitalized after four-vehicle crash at Seward Highway mile 74

Two drivers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after a four-vehicle crash at Seward Highway mile 74 on Thursday when rain and snow caused a Prius to lose control.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Oct 1

LaFrance names Lynn McNamara to Anchorage library board seat

Mayor LaFrance appointed former school librarian Lynn McNamara to the Anchorage Library Advisory Board, with Assembly confirmation set for Tuesday, Oct. 6.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

State proposes giving up surface claim to 160 acres off Denali Highway for Native veteran's allotment

Alaska is dropping its surface claim to 160 acres near mile 81 of the Denali Highway for an Alaska Native Vietnam-era veteran's allotment, keeping only oil, gas, and mineral rights.

by Alaska News1mo ago1 min read

Vance visit brings flight limits to Anchorage and Fairbanks

Flight restrictions posted for Vance's Alaska trip cover Anchorage twice and Fairbanks once. Merrill Field pilots, plan around Monday and Tuesday.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Outside groups report more than $1.8 million in new Alaska election spending

One national political network is spending in Alaska's Senate and House races, while a new super PAC joins the money lined up against Dan Sullivan.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Follows: An outside group has spent $3.77 million on Alaska's Senate race

APD policy lays out rooftop drones for 911 calls; chief said technology was not yet in use

APD has adopted rules for rooftop drones that could reach 911 calls before officers, but its chief said Sept. 25 the technology was not yet operating.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Alaska Jewish Campus registers lobbyist to seek state grant for indoor play center

Alaska Jewish Campus hired a lobbyist to seek a state capital budget grant for an indoor play center for children with disabilities, which has raised $1.83 million toward its $4.2 million cost.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Oct 1

GOPAC fund gives $50,000 to group buying Juneau election ads

A Virginia political fund gave $50,000 to the Sitka-based Alaska Voter Project, which spent nearly $19,000 on Juneau ads urging votes for pro-business candidates ahead of Tuesday's election.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Wasilla man, 29, arrested on DUI charge; troopers also found suspected LSD

Alaska State Troopers arrested a Wasilla man, 29, on a DUI charge early Saturday near Knik-Goose Bay Road and reported finding suspected LSD tabs and empty bottles in his vehicle.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

No on 2 reports $8.76 million in cumulative contributions after $2.13 million influx

No on 2 reported $8.76 million in cumulative contributions. Repeal Now's conflicting filings do not support a clean fundraising comparison.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Juneau Proposition A ballot summary omits 'services,' city says vote is unaffected

Juneau's Proposition A ballot summary omits the word "services," but the city says the error does not change what voters are deciding on the 3% sales tax extension or how it would be collected.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Northrim shareholders vote Oct. 20 on buying Oregon bank, its first expansion outside Alaska

Northrim shareholders vote Oct. 20 on buying an Oregon bank, which would give the Anchorage bank its first branches outside Alaska. Not voting counts as a no.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 17

Follows: Northrim's Oregon deal is on the record. The approvals are not.

Alaska Volcano Observatory raises Gareloi alert level after brief explosion

Gareloi, a remote western Aleutian volcano, had a brief explosion Thursday. AVO raised its alert a notch and has reported no further unrest since.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Oct 1

Ketchikan Indian Community asks judge to halt Shelter Cove timber sale before contract award

Ketchikan Indian Community and two conservation groups asked a judge to halt the Shelter Cove timber sale before the Forest Service awards a logging contract.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 30

NTSB report details fog, aborted landing and second attempt before fatal Cape Newenham crash

An NTSB preliminary report lays out the Aug. 20 Cape Newenham crash that killed eight: fog, an aborted landing, a dropped diversion and a second attempt.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readFrom Aug 20

Follows: Charter plane crash at Cape Newenham radar site kills eight

Coast Guard hoists ship captain 58 miles south of Adak with Air Guard help

The Coast Guard and Alaska Air National Guard flew more than 1,000 miles to pull an ailing master off a container ship near Adak and get him to Anchorage.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Oct 1

Anchorage ordinance would have boards write their own pre-sunset reports

Anchorage Assembly will consider letting boards write their own sunset reports instead of the Office of Internal Audit, due 90 days before their terms expire.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly to consider Disability Employment Awareness Month resolution

The Anchorage Assembly is scheduled to consider a resolution on Oct. 6 recognizing October as Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Alaska Work Matters Task Force has separately reported lower employment among Alaskans with disabilities.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Navy commissions USS Ted Stevens in Whittier

Ted Stevens is officially a warship. The Navy commissioned the destroyer in a rainy Whittier ceremony Saturday before it heads home to Norfolk, Virginia.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Alaska DOT letter shows $563 million in contracts, projects record year, warns of match shortfall

Alaska DOT awarded $563 million in construction contracts through June and expects $1 billion for fiscal 2025, but a state match shortfall is forcing projects to delay.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage plan narrows road service area seats on Chugach board

Anchorage Assembly narrowed who can fill two Chugach State Park access board seats to current or former road board supervisors instead of any road service area resident.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Kodiak emergency planning committee to consider hazardous materials goals and a draft emergency operations plan

Kodiak's emergency planning committee meets Oct. 9 on hazmat response goals and whether to recommend a draft emergency operations plan to the city and borough.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Kodiak invests $10 million and uses transfers to shrink $1.7 million General Fund shortfall

Kodiak put $10 million into bonds and T-bills and used transfers to shrink a $1.7 million budget hole to about $95,000. Council reviews it Thursday.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Anchorage mayor proposes 2027 budget that relies on one-time money, warns of 2028 fiscal cliff

Anchorage's mayor proposed a 2027 budget that plugs a $15 million hole mostly with one-time money, and she says the city hits a fiscal cliff in 2028.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Revised APD drone report adds required warrant data, showing warrants for about one in four flights

APD's revised drone report includes the warrant info city code requires: about one in four of 500-plus flights had one. Most others cite exceptions.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago5 min read

Federal government takes back $5.56 million Alaska digital equity grant

The feds took back $5.56 million meant for Alaska digital skills classes, devices and internet access. What's left: $67,466, about 1.2% of the award.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 4

Alaska Court of Appeals rules 2013 sex-offense sentencing law can't be applied to earlier crimes

Alaska's Court of Appeals says a 2013 law limiting lower sentences for sex offenders can't be applied to crimes committed before it took effect.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Juneau police say wife hid husband's death and collected his benefits

A Juneau woman collected her dead husband's benefits for over a year after his death, which police discovered when his remains were found in a freezer in July 2026.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly to consider permanent mayoral emergency power for disasters outside the city

Last fall Anchorage needed a special emergency law to help Western Alaska storm evacuees. An ordinance up Tuesday would make that power permanent.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Three more Bethel properties head toward City Council nuisance abatement hearings

Bethel's Planning Commission picked three more properties for possible nuisance abatement hearings. One has no living owner and no known heir.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Handeland proposes electing most Anchorage School Board members by district

An Assembly member wants Anchorage to elect most School Board members by district, saying some parts of town have gone years without a member.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read