Choose your location
Alaska Beacon
A Canadian gold mine spill raises fears among Alaskans on the Yukon River
A cyanide spill at a major gold mine in the Yukon Territory — high in the Yukon River watershed — has sparked widespread concern in Canada. But Alaska salmon advocates say the mishap isn’t just a problem for Yukoners: The spill happened upstream of a tributary of the Yukon River. The Yukon is Alaska’s biggest […]
U.S. home prices hit a record high as sales fell. Here’s how housing experts explain the trends
U.S. median home prices hit a record high for the second month in a row as sales continued to fall, according to a report released this week, as potential buyers continue to lie in wait for lower mortgage rates. Existing home sales fell 5.4% in June and median home sales reached its highest level on […]
Bill mandating end to use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams becomes law in Alaska
Alaska firefighting departments will have to stop using fire-suppression foams containing contaminants known as “forever chemicals,” under a law that went into effect on Monday. The new law is the product of a bill, Senate Bill 67, that legislators passed nearly unanimously. It went into effect without Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s signature. The new law targets […]
Alaska teacher apprenticeship program approval unlocks millions to fuel workforce pipeline
When the only preschool teacher left Harold Kaveolook School in Kaktovik, a village of around 250 people on the northern coast of Alaska, Chelsea Brower was in charge. It was January and she had been the preschool aide for about a year-and-a-half. “Being with the kids and trying to be their teacher is what really […]
Alaska’s Democratic U.S. House member withholds support for Kamala Harris
Alaska’s highest-ranking Democratic officeholder said Tuesday she has not decided whether to back the party’s likely candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. Rep. Mary Peltola broke with other state Democrats, who quickly gave their support and their party convention delegates’ votes to Harris just hours after President Joe Biden announced that he was ending his campaign […]
National Republican group fights for Alaska’s House seat with attack ads targeting Mary Peltola
Alaska’s House race will be one of the hardest fought races in the country, according to a national group dedicated to getting Republicans elected into the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s for that reason the National Republican Congressional Committee launched its first television ads in the general election cycle in Alaska before any other state, […]
Dental health among young Alaska children improved significantly since 2009, report says
Alaska children’s tooth health improved over a decade in nearly all parts of the state, showing that multiple dental initiatives and strategies may be paying off, a new state report said. Among children 3 and younger, tooth decay prevalence is down, as is consumption of sugary beverages, while visits to dental offices for checkups are […] The post Dental health among young Alaska children improved significantly since 2009, report says appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska Democrats embrace Harris and pledge delegation’s support at convention
Alaska Democrats have rallied around Vice President Kamala Harris and endorsed her candidacy for president a day after President Joe Biden dropped out of contention. Alaska’s small delegation to the Democratic National Convention is now pledged to Harris after a Sunday night meeting to confirm that decision, said a statement released Monday by the Alaska […] The post Alaska Democrats embrace Harris and pledge delegation’s support at convention appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Some Alaska Republican candidates pledge to withdraw if they aren’t atop GOP votes in primary
In some Alaska races, Republican candidates have pledged to withdraw from the general election in November if they do not receive the top votes among fellow party members in the primary. The most high-profile pledge was made by Nick Begich III, who is running for Alaska’s single U.S. House seat. Begich publicly pledged in April […] The post Some Alaska Republican candidates pledge to withdraw if they aren’t atop GOP votes in primary appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Anti-abortion researchers back riskier procedures when pregnancy termination is needed, experts say
The day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the medical board that certifies OB-GYNs in America released a statement calling legal pregnancy termination and knowledge of abortion procedures “essential to reproductive health care.” But a small number of influential anti-abortion doctors have spent the last two years trying to change the […] The post Anti-abortion researchers back riskier procedures when pregnancy termination is needed, experts say appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska demographers predict population drop, a switch from prior forecasts
Alaska’s population is set to significantly decline by 2050, according to a new forecast from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The department publishes population forecasts every two years, and the new document estimates the state will drop by nearly 2% before 2050. The prediction, which reverses decades of optimistic forecasts by the […] The post Alaska demographers predict population drop, a switch from prior forecasts appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Ranked-choice repeal measure awaits signature count after Alaska judge’s ruling
An Anchorage Superior Court judge on Friday disqualified 27 signature books filled out by Alaskans hoping to repeal Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, leaving it unclear whether the issue has enough support to advance to a November vote. The Alaska Division of Elections must recount the signature totals by Wednesday, Judge Christina Rankin said in a […] The post Ranked-choice repeal measure awaits signature count after Alaska judge’s ruling appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
IT glitch causing delays in flights, business operations globally
Air travel, banking, media and hospital systems were just some of the industries affected by a bug in a software update that scrambled business operations for many globally on Friday. Many of those who use Microsoft Windows are likely experiencing a “blue screen of death” or an error page. The issue is due to a […] The post IT glitch causing delays in flights, business operations globally appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
U.S. District judge hears food stamp backlog case against Alaska’s health department
U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason is considering a case that asks the court to make sure the state issues food stamps on time after years of chronic delays. She heard oral arguments Thursday in Anchorage. Ten Alaskans sued the state in January of last year because they said the Department of Health failed to […] The post U.S. District judge hears food stamp backlog case against Alaska’s health department appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Federal appeals court appears unlikely to halt Southeast Alaska king trolling for now
In closely watched oral arguments on Thursday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals indicated that it is unlikely to grant an environmental group’s petition for an order that could halt — at least temporarily — a valuable Southeast Alaska king salmon fishery. In May 2023, a judge in the U.S. […] The post Federal appeals court appears unlikely to halt Southeast Alaska king trolling for now appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
States strike out on their own on AI, privacy regulation
As congressional sessions have passed without any new federal artificial intelligence laws, state legislators are striking out on their own to regulate the technologies in the meantime. Colorado just signed into effect one of the most sweeping regulatory laws in the country, which sets guardrails for companies that develop and use AI. Its focus is […] The post States strike out on their own on AI, privacy regulation appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Boebert looks to replace Haaland at Interior Department if Trump wins
MILWAUKEE — If U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) gets her way, she will be the next Interior Department secretary in another Donald Trump administration. “I think Lauren Boebert needs to be the secretary of the Interior. President Trump, I would like to be secretary of the Interior,” she said on Native America Calling on Wednesday […] The post Boebert looks to replace Haaland at Interior Department if Trump wins appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska prosecutors to investigate police shooting of a homeless man familiar to Juneau’s downtown
Alaska state prosecutors will investigate the police shooting of Steven Kissack, a homeless man familiar to downtown residents of Alaska’s capital city, state officials said on Monday. Steven Kissack, 35, was shot and killed after he advanced on Juneau Police Officers and an Alaska Wildlife Trooper with a filet knife on Monday afternoon. It was […] The post Alaska prosecutors to investigate police shooting of a homeless man familiar to Juneau’s downtown appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Controversial lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet that drew one bid conducted improperly, judge rules
A congressionally mandated 2022 Cook Inlet oil and gas lease sale that drew only a single bid violated environmental laws, and the agency responsible must rewrite its analysis of impacts, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason, in a ruling issued Tuesday, found that the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management […] The post Controversial lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet that drew one bid conducted improperly, judge rules appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Accepting uncertainty in sustainable fisheries is essential in a rapidly changing Arctic
Climate change is making it almost impossible to decide how much, where and what to sustainably fish as the fate of future fisheries is becoming increasingly uncertain. This is leading to a slow process or inaction in adapting fisheries and their management to climate change. This could even further exacerbate the increasing trend of overfished […] The post Accepting uncertainty in sustainable fisheries is essential in a rapidly changing Arctic appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska Beacon
2K+
Posts
8M+
Views
Alaska Beacon is an independent, nonpartisan news organization focused on connecting Alaskans to their state government. Alaska, like many states, has seen a decline in the coverage of state news. We aim to reverse that. Our name comes from the first verse of the Alaska Flag Song: “The great North Star with its steady light, O'er land and sea a beacon bright.” Our journalists report fairly and fearlessly on the people and interests that determine state policy. We do not serve any political party or private interest. We support the ability of all Alaskans to participate in the political process. We provide accurate, factual reporting. We promptly correct errors. If you see one, let us know. Beacon reporters explore how state policies affect specific areas like the economy and environment, education, health, and criminal and social justice. We aim to tell stories that aren’t being told, to bring fresh perspectives to state issues and to amplify the voices of Alaska communities that have been marginalized. Alaska Beacon provides a forum for commentary on state issues, with a goal of elevating policy conversations. These commentaries don’t come from our reporters and are labeled differently than our news reporting. Read our submission guidelines here. To do our jobs, we rely solely on the donations of those who value independent journalism. We welcome other news organizations to republish our work, and ask that they credit us. Alaska Beacon is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. Our editorial decisions are made inside Alaska by Alaska journalists.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.