Alaska Beacon

Top Alaska court takes up lawsuit challenging trans-Alaska gas pipeline law | Alaska Beacon A lower court dismissed the case, and the Alaska Supreme Court has already ruled on a similar issue, but plaintiffs are trying again.

Top Alaska court takes up lawsuit challenging trans-Alaska gas pipeline law, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/05/t...

Southeast Alaska fishers accused of intentionally sinking their vessels | Alaska Beacon The three allegedly deliberate sinkings, occurring last year in waters off Sitka and Petersburg, are unrelated, federal officials say.

Southeast Alaska fishers are accused of intentionally sinking their vessels, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/briefs/south...

The foster care system is failing Alaska children. So are those trying to fix it. | Alaska Beacon Neither the lawsuit nor the reforms comes to grips with the problem at the root of all the others: states tearing apart families needlessly.

The foster care system is failing Alaska children, writes child advocate Richard Wexler in a commentary for the @alaskabeacon.com, but so are those trying to fix it. alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/05/t...

Alaska Supreme Court considers limits of executive and legislative power, including on abortion | Alaska Beacon A seven-year-old dispute over union dues has the potential to reset boundaries between two of Alaska’s branches of government.

Alaska Supreme Court considers limits of executive and legislative power, including on abortion, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/05/a...

Kristi Noem out as DHS secretary; Trump to nominate Oklahoma Sen. Mullin | Alaska Beacon President Donald Trump Thursday said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will be leaving the post for a job as a special envoy.

Kristi Noem out as DHS secretary; Trump to nominate Oklahoma Sen. Mullin, writes @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social for our D.C. bureau @statesnewsroom.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/05/r...

After historic education funding increase, some Alaska lawmakers aim to boost the BSA again | Alaska Beacon Alaska lawmakers introduced new legislation in the House of Representatives that would raise the state’s per student funding for schools. They say it is critical to help school districts struggling wi...

After historic education funding increase, some Alaska lawmakers aim to boost the BSA again, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/05/a...

University of Alaska Anchorage interim chancellor appointed to permanent role | Alaska Beacon The University of Alaska president appointed Cheryl Siemers to the permanent role as University of Alaska Anchorage chancellor, following ten months serving as interim chancellor.

University of Alaska Anchorage interim chancellor appointed to permanent role, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/briefs/unive...

Federal offshore oil and gas lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet basin draws no bids | Alaska Beacon The federal sale's outcome and that of a state lease sale that drew only one bid indicate a lack of industry interest in Cook Inlet

Federal offshore oil and gas lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet basin draws no bids, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/04/f...

A remembrance: Rich Mauer shaped Alaska journalism — and me. | Alaska Beacon As my editor at the Daily News in his mid-60s, Rich brought an energy to his job, and to his life, that many people half his age would covet.

In a commentary for the @alaskabeacon.com, journalist Nathaniel Herz remembers how Rich Mauer shaped Alaska journalism. alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/04/a...

Talarico wins Democratic primary for US Senate in Texas; Cornyn and Paxton go to GOP runoff | Alaska Beacon The closely watched race offered candidates with contrasting styles and was seen as an indicator of Democrats' approach to the midterms.

Talarico wins Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas — a closely watched race that offered candidates with contrasting styles and is seen as an indicator of Democrats’ approach to the midterms, writes @fischler.bsky.social for our D.C. bureau
@statesnewsroom.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/04/r...

Alaska population loss looms with fewer births and more deaths in an aging population | Alaska Beacon Alaska, even though it has higher birth and fertility rates that the most states, has a trend parallel to the national demographic trend.

Alaska population loss looms with fewer births and more deaths in an aging population, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alask...

Republicans stand by Trump’s war against Iran, reject war powers role for Congress | Alaska Beacon Republican lawmakers said after classified briefings they don’t intend to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to continue the war in Iran.

Republicans stand by Trump’s war against Iran, reject war powers role for Congress, write @jennifershutt.bsky.social and @ashleymurray.bsky.social for our D.C. bureau @statesnewsroom.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/03/r...

Alaska has bigger needs than fattening the dividend | Alaska Beacon Higher oil prices mean more money for the Alaska state treasury as legislators are working to craft a spending plan for the next fiscal year.

As oil prices go up, Alaska has bigger needs than fattening the dividend, writes Larry Persily in a commentary for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/03/a...

Alaska lawmakers push Trump administration to waive $100k visa fee for international teachers | Alaska Beacon Some Alaska school districts say they can’t afford to hire and retain international teachers after the Trump administration hiked fees for highly skilled worker visas.  Alaska school districts have in...

Alaska lawmakers push Trump administration to waive $100k visa fee for international teachers, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/03/a...

Iran war drives gas price uncertainty ahead of busy summer season | Alaska Beacon The national average price of a gallon of regular gasoline topped $3 Tuesday for the first time this year, and is expected to keep going up.

Brent crude oil, considered the global standard, topped $80 a barrel early Monday, up from the low 70s last week, writes reporter David Lightman for our D.C. bureau @statesnewsroom.com @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/03/r...

How protecting wilderness could mean purposefully tending it, not just leaving it alone | Alaska Beacon Protecting federally designated wilderness areas may require action, not inaction, particularly with the effects of climate change.

Protecting wilderness could mean purposefully tending it, not just leaving it alone, writes wilderness fire researcher @clareboe.bsky.social in a commentary republished by the @alaskabeacon.com from @theconversation.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/02/h...

Early prenatal care declines across US, reversing years of progress | Alaska Beacon Nearly a quarter of pregnant women aren’t getting prenatal care in the early stages of pregnancy, according to a new analysis from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The share of pre...

Early prenatal care declines across US, reversing years of progress, writes Anna Claire Vollers for @stateline.org alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/03/r...

Alaska House OKs bill to crack down on AI-generated child sexual abuse material | Alaska Beacon House members tagged on new penalties for AI and social media tech companies, and social media controls for minors including age verification, parental access controls and a curfew.

Alaska House OKs bill to crack down on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/02/a...

Death toll for US service members in Iran war at 4 as Trump projects weeks of conflict | Alaska Beacon President Donald Trump said Monday he expects war with Iran will continue however long it takes to achieve his objectives.

Death toll for U.S. service members in Iran war at 4 as Trump projects weeks of conflict, write @ashleymurray.bsky.social and @jennifershutt.bsky.social for our D.C. bureau @statesnewsroom.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/03/02/r...

Alaska Beacon state and legislative daybook for the week of Mar. 2, 2026 | Alaska Beacon Here’s what we’re watching in the Alaska Capitol and elsewhere across the state.

It's a new week at the Alaska State Capitol — follow along with the @alaskabeacon.com state and legislative daybook for the week of Mar. 2, 2026 alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/28/a...

Alaska House advances bill intended to boost workforce housing | Alaska Beacon The bill allows the state’s economic development agency to finance construction of commercial housing with more than five units.

Alaska House advances bill intended to boost workforce housing, writes Sean Maguire for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/28/a...

Online sports betting could be lucrative for Alaska if new legislation gets the taxes right | Alaska Beacon If legalization is a step Alaska decides to take, the right tax mix could result in notable fiscal advantages for the state.

Online sports betting could be lucrative for Alaska if new legislation gets the taxes right, writes tax analyst Jacob Macumber-Rosin in a commentary for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/27/o...

Alaska Senate resolution highlighs ‘mutual respect’ and cooperation with Greenland | Alaska Beacon The resolution affirms longstanding ties between the Arctic regions, countering President Trump's push to take over the island.

Alaska Senate resolution highlights ‘mutual respect’ and cooperation with Greenland, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alask...

Alaska lawmakers honor the legacy of late Anchorage Republican Craig Johnson | Alaska Beacon Alaska lawmakers eulogized their former colleague, Craig Johnson, a longtime Republican Representative for Anchorage, who died Friday at the age of 72.

Alaska lawmakers honor the legacy of late Anchorage Republican Craig Johnson, writes Claire Stremple for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/27/a...

National series highlights Alaska MMIP crisis, questions of justice for Alaska Native people | Alaska Beacon A new investigative documentary series on HBO highlights the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples in Alaska.

National series highlights Alaska MMIP crisis, questions of justice for Alaska Native people, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/27/n...

‘Seal finger’ infection affecting an Alaska bear hunter was a medical first | Alaska Beacon The ailment, which took weeks to diagnose, appears to be only the second case of seal finger spready by an animal other than a seal.

‘Seal finger’ infection affecting an Alaska bear hunter was a medical first, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com
alaskabeacon.com/briefs/seal-...

Anchorage lawmaker pushes legislation to protect sibling ties for Alaska foster youth | Alaska Beacon Alaska foster youth could see their ties to siblings legally protected through the adoption process, under legislation proposed last year in the Alaska House of Representatives.

Anchorage lawmaker pushes legislation to protect sibling ties for Alaska foster youth, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/26/a...

FEMA shutdown drags on amid stalemate over reforms to immigration enforcement | Alaska Beacon The nation’s main agency for handling disaster response and recovery is shuttered for the third time in recent months.

FEMA shutdown drags on amid stalemate over reforms to immigration enforcement, writes @jennifershutt.bsky.social for our D.C. bureau @statesnewsroom.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/26/r...

Trump is all in on mining in Alaska. With one glaring exception: Pebble. | Alaska Beacon After mixed signals last year, the Trump administration appears now to be firmly backing a Biden-era decision to veto the Pebble project.

Trump is all in on mining in Alaska. With one glaring exception: Pebble. Max Graham from the Northern Journal has the story, republished @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/25/t...

The first round of budget public testimony in Senate Finance begins this morning. Rural western and northern Alaska is scheduled for this afternoon at 1:30 and remaining areas on Friday. #akleg