Metals mining in Alaska still a big source of jobs, money and exports, report says
Mining, long a part of state history, is now a $4 billion-a-year industry in Alaska, with export value rivaling that of seafood, a state analysis shows.
Cruise ship passenger fee proposals include seawalk extension, more downtown public restrooms
Other proposals include offsetting Juneau Mountain Rescue operation costs are expanding free public Wi-Fi. Residents have until May 3 to submit comments.
Juneau organizations will host an event to help unhoused people connect with services
The Juneau Coalition on Housing and Homelessness and Tlingit and Haida’s Community Advocacy Program are partnering to host Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday.
Alaska Department of Corrections reports two inmate deaths in one week
Johnny Allen Nashookpuk and Jeffery Mulifai were both housed at Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla and died in late March. They are the first two inmates to die in 2026.
At hearing, linguists tell lawmakers that the Alaska Native Language Center’s mission is at risk
Meanwhile, administrators insist the center is growing and becoming more community-focused.
Alaska freight shipping costs set to spike amid war in Iran
Alaska Marine Lines, Matson and Tote are all increasing their fuel- related surcharges, starting this month.
State seeks community input on 2024 glacial outburst flood federal grant priorities
The survey closes April 20. The $6 million grant is meant to fund unmet recovery and mitigation needs from the 2024 disaster.
Juneau Assembly will decide whether to offer winter warming shelter year-round
City officials say a year-round shelter operation would provide an alternative to illegal camping and theoretically reduce the number of encampments around town.
Advocates remind bar patrons to stay vigilant about drink safety as Folk Festival approaches
Two people in Juneau who work to prevent assault in different ways say it’s everyone’s responsibility to look out for each other.
Alaskans want to stop changing their clocks. But what time should it be?
Large majorities of Alaskans tell pollsters they’re sick of changing their clocks twice a year. Where they should set them is a harder question.
University of Alaska staff successfully vote to form a union
Sixty-four percent of voting members approved forming the union, and election results now await certification from the Alaska Labor Relations Agency.
Alaska Senate advances constitutional amendment to establish education fund
Supporters say the constitutional change could be a powerful tool to provide stable funding for public education, while critics suggest it could remove flexibility in budgeting
Juneau begins budget process that likely could see significant cuts to services
In the coming months, the Assembly will be tasked with reducing millions of dollars in spending through cuts to services.
After third mountain goat dies from contagious skin infection, signage goes up on popular Juneau hiking trails
A hiker found another mountain goat kid dead on Perseverance Trail in March from contagious ecthyma. It’s a viral infection also known as orf that people and pets can catch.
Alaska House passes new version of vetoed corporate tax change
Gov. Mike Dunleavy continues to oppose the bill, a spokesperson said. The bill passed the House 22-17, well short of a veto-proof majority, and now heads to the Senate.
Juneau Assembly votes to end the city’s involvement in Eaglecrest Ski Area’s gondola
The vote on Wednesday isn’t final, but it marked a major pivot away from the city’s investment in the gondola project, which has been plagued with controversy since it was purchased in 2022.
Bill that aims to stabilize school district budgeting advances out of House Education Committee
The bill would allow school districts to budget with more certainty and to smooth out the effects of declining enrollments.
After Sitka doctor is convicted of assaulting patients, a former Ketchikan colleague comes forward
Phoenix Johnson believes that if Dr. Richard McGrath’s actions had been addressed by Ketchikan Indian Community years ago, it could have prevented him from harming patients and medical staff in Sitka.
Alaska lawmakers push for continued ban on Russian seafood imports
The ban, imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, is set to expire this year. A resolution is one of the measures intended to help the state’s seafood industry.
Murkowski asks Alaska Legislature to up its game
When the delegation gets federal project money, the Legislature has to pony up its share, Sen. Lisa Murkowski said. “We need you to meet the match.”