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Current Topics
Film portrays Willie Hensley as a man of his times. Alaska Public Media
Unanimous Assembly votes secure $1.1B financing option for Port of Alaska and construction contract. Anchorage Daily News
The Anchorage Assembly approved two measures this week that clear a path for funding and finishing a longstanding overhaul of the state’s main port facility.
Federal leader of Alaska's Denali Commission says she is fighting for the agency's survival. Alaska Beacon
The Denali Commission was founded in 1998 and modeled after the Appalachian Regional Commission, which was established in1965. The Denali Commission coordinates rural Alaska infrastructure and economic development planning among multiple agencies, and it disburses grants for various projects, such as water and sewer systems, telecommunications and health care facilities. Now Kitka said she has three DOGE people assigned to shadow her and the Denali Commission, putting her and her colleagues in the position of defending its existence. If the Trump administration tries to eliminate the Denali Commission now, it would not be the first time. There were similar attempts in the first Trump administration, but Congress preserved the commission then.
(My comment: Thank you, US Senator Ted Stevens, for your foresight and deep commitment to Alaska in establishing this Commission.)
How to make your nature walks even more restorative, according to science. NPR
There is a moment of awe that washes over you when you step into a forest. Century-old trees tower above, sunlight twinkling through them. Birds tweet. Spiders weave their elaborate webs. The smell of pine needles fill the air. Not only is "forest bathing" a magical way to explore nature, decades of research has shown that it's good for your health. It can boost your immune system, lower blood pressure and help with depression. It can also reduce the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline and turn down the dial on your body's fight-or-flight response.
Alaska House approve broader list of Permanent Fund dividend exceptions. Alaska Beacon
Arctic Issues
The navy may revive a forgotten Alaskan base that sits half way to Russia. Task Purpose
An isolated Navy station known for brutal Alaskan winter storms and thousands of unexploded bombs might soon be reborn as a frontline base to counter Russian and Chinese advances in the Arctic.
As Trump eyes Greenland and Arctic resources, America's ambassadorship for the region goes unfilled. Alaska Beacon
Alaskans and others tracking America’s stance toward the Arctic are waiting to see when, or if, the new administration will offer a clear vision or plans for the region that the U.S., its allies and rivals are increasingly eying as a zone for commerce and military activity.
Economy
Permanent Fund endowment is needed to protect Alaska's fiscal future. Alaska Beacon
These past, real attempts to raid the fund demonstrate the exact reason an endowment is needed to protect the entire fund moving forward, so that future generations can enjoy the same benefits we have all enjoyed for the past four decades. Currently, it is too easy for individual legislators to introduce massive overdraw amendments. All that cash available with a mere majority vote is too tempting. The temptation will only worsen as oil prices drop.
Opinion: When will the real conversations about Alaska's future begin? Anchorage Daily News
It’s uncertain when or what crisis will prompt it, but eventually, some bold influencers will admit we can’t afford to pay the dividend. Hopefully, they reside in the Legislature or the governor’s office. They will also acknowledge that it’s illogical to tax some residents in order to fund unrestricted payments to the same residents and others who do not have a demonstrated need. In fact, it’s uniquely un-American. If this type of money transfer had positive economic impacts, it would have been adopted by all government entities in the United States long ago.
Opinion: Alaska is dying a slow death. Here's how we can change course. Anchorage Daily News
Our state is dying a slow death, and the current fiscal plan is undeniably not working. Our education system defines who we are, and second to the last in the nation is a poor definition. Serving as governor or as a legislator is exceedingly difficult as the pressures from the voters back home are intense. I know; I’ve been there. But at the end of the day, they must face the problem, and please don’t kick the can to the next governor or legislature.
Corporate tax update, passed by Alaska Senate, could generate millions for dividends, services. Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Senate voted 16-4 on Tuesday to approve Senate Bill 113, which clarifies that online sales to Alaskans amount to business activity within the state.
Merging Alaska Permanent Fund accounts would fix major flaw draining Alaska's savings and its future. Alaska Beacon
In the end, this reform is about protecting the Permanent Fund, the PFD, and Alaska’s fiscal future. The fund was created to turn a temporary resource boom into a permanent financial legacy. But that legacy only survives if we guard it against political pressure and short-term thinking. This is more than a fiscal policy debate. It’s about protecting the fund for future generations, ensuring the PFD survives, and building a system that supports long-term stability. Merging the accounts creates the discipline Alaska needs — and the legacy Alaskans deserve.
Tesla bowed to reality, and its stock is climbing. Axios
Tesla acknowledged yesterday that "political sentiment" may be undermining the company's financial performance and that tariffs are poised to do the same. Tesla CEO Elon Musk — the world's richest person — has become a close ally and outspoken adviser to President Trump, unleashing a backlash on the company. Tesla missed expectations on earnings and sales in the first quarter amid growing signs that some customers are recoiling from the brand.
Energy
News Reactor April 2025. NCSL
(My comment. It’s discouraging to see the great progress being made in other states around safe, dependable, durable nuclear power, while our state has a governor totally focused on convincing other countries to invest in a gas pipeline for which the cost isn’t known. No state would benefit more from micronuclear or small modular reactor power.)
US pushes Korea to import Alaska LNG ahead of key trade talks. Korea Times
Korea remains cautious about gas imports from Alaska amid persistent concerns over the project’s feasibility. Due to uncertainty over the profitability of Alaska LNG imports and feasibility of the remote Arctic project, experts have advised the government not to rush into a deal with the U.S. in exchange for trade concessions.
AGDC faces questions form House Resources on Glenfarne selection. Petroleum News
Confidentiality was an issue for some committee members, who asked about access to agreements AGDC signed with Glenfarne. Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, asked if AGDC could provide unredacted versions of the agreements it signed with Glenfarne. He also asked if Glenfarne committed to a timeframe and asked what the terms were of those timeframes. Richards said the agreements were confidential.
Opinion: Can the Alaska LNG project be coerced into existence? Anchorage Daily News
The legislature, much less the public, is not privy to the contract terms, although the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) has agreed to reimburse Glenfarne $50 million if the project does not go ahead. Glenfarne says it might get to the final investment decision this year after spending $150 million. That would be about 0.3% of the estimated project cost. This is laughable; conventional wisdom is that spending of 5%-10% is necessary for FID on megaprojects, upwards of $3 billion in this case.
Sullivan claims pipeline construction could start this year. Not a chance. Reporting from Alaska
“If Asian importers were really serious about snapping up more U.S. LNG in the short term, they’d be signing deals with mature projects on the Gulf Coast that are expanding their output. Another issue is that LNG is sold by private companies, not the White House, and negotiations can last months or years. Buyers have been hesitant to commit to new contracts even with U.S. Gulf projects because inflation has driven up prices,” he wrote.
Sen. Murkowski makes pitch for renewable energy's value in Alaska communities. Alaska Beacon
In a political environment where the president and his administration are pushing for more fossil fuel development and scorning alternative energy, Alaska’s senior U.S. senator is defending renewable projects in the rural areas of her state.
Education
Alaska's crumbling rural school buildings. Alaska Public Media
'Facing an emergency': Mixed reaction from state education leaders on governor's veto of funding bill. Alaska's News Source
This marks the second year in a row Dunleavy has vetoed an education funding bill, resulting in flat funding for Alaska schools for nearly a decade. For Anchorage residents like Jeff Raun, who has three daughters within the district, the governor’s decision means another year of seeing cuts to what so many parents and students consider as vital programs. “Three years in a row, he has voted against my kids, your kids, all of our kids,” Raun said. “He’s voted against education funding, he’s voted against economy, he’s voted against our future as a state.
Texas poised to create the largest voucher program in the country. Governing
The Texas House voted in favor of a $1 billion school voucher program, a priority for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The vote comes after a group of Republican holdouts in rural districts were defeated by primary challengers Abbott backed last year. It will be the largest voucher program in the country. Opponents warn that it will lead to funding problems for public schools but the Legislature also approved a major school funding increase.
Education funding veto: Alaska dad group voices strong opposition as supporters say Dunleavy made right move. Alaska's News Source
As leaders from a newly-formed group of dozens of central and southeast Alaska dads speak out against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s education funding veto last week, some supporters of the House Bill 69 veto say it was a necessary step toward improving students’ education. Leaders for the group, who call themselves Alaska Dads for Economic and Student Capacity, say they formed at the beginning of 2025 in response to how ongoing education funding concerns are impacting students. With roughly 60 members, group leaders say that through raising funds, they have been able to send members to Juneau to speak with legislators, as well as share advocacy opportunities around Anchorage.
Alaska Legislature votes to uphold governor's veto of significant education funding boost. Alaska Beacon
After more than an hour of speeches, members of the House and Senate voted 33-27 to sustain the governor’s veto of House Bill 69. The override vote was almost identical to the votes on the original bill, which passed the House and Senate by a combined vote of 32-25.
Anchorage elementary schools at risk of not meeting mental health services goal. Alaska's News Source
A new internal report will inform the Anchorage School Board that the school district is at risk of not meeting its goal of providing mental health services in elementary schools.
Opinion: How school funding failures are hurting Alaska's military families. Anchorage Daily News
I find myself grappling with a profound sense of instability — not just from the inherent uncertainties of military life, but from the fallout of decisions made by Alaska state legislators. I received the disheartening news that I am being displaced from the teaching position I love.
Opinion: Enough is enough. Alaska students need funding now. Anchorage Daily News
Opinion: In Alaska, we see who's failing our kids - and we won't forget. Anchorage Daily News
Opinion: A poem for Gov. Dunleavy. Anchorage Daily News
Fisheries
Alaska Sen. Murkowski and other US lawmakers seek guest worker visa exception for seafood industry. Alaska Beacon
Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and other coastal senators have proposed new legislation to exempt seafood processing companies from a cap on the number of international workers they can hire through the temporary H-2B visa program.
(My comment: Opponents of increased BSA (school funding) say that we don’t need/want this for various reasons. Yet because of declining school programs, increased class size resulting in kids left behind, etc, we are losing our young people and families with children. Why does this matter?: the fishery jobs, tourism jobs and others used to be get jobs for high schools students and new graduates earning tuition for post-high school education. Now…those young people are gone.)
Politics
2025 Administrative actions: key executive orders and policies. NCSL
What is the SAVE Act, and what are its potential impacts in Alaska? Alaska's News Source
Under federal law, everyone registering to vote must swear, under penalty of perjury, that they are a citizen. While voting by noncitizens is already illegal and punishable by severe criminal penalties, the SAVE Act would require anyone registering to vote to provide documented proof of citizenship.
Opinion: The SAVE Act will make it more challenging to vote in Alaska. Anchorage Daily News
Alaska Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore said that every year the state gets a few allegations of illegal voting and has charged about five cases in as many (five) years. “If you think about all of the folks across the state that vote in any given election, to have this few charges filed means by and large, it’s not something that we find happens,” Skidmore said.
Health Care
Arkansas PBM law could spur lookalikes. Axios
With Congress gridlocked on PBM legislation, more states are taking the lead in addressing industry practices that critics say drive up costs and are pushing independent pharmacies out of business. Large PBMs often are vertically integrated with insurance carriers, and critics say they're capable of funneling the majority of volume and profits directly to insurers and employers. Last week, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed a first-in-the-nation law barring PBMs from owning pharmacies in that state.
Walgreens to pay workers' tuition. Axios
Walgreens is rolling out a new tactic to replenish its ranks of pharmacists: paying for current employees' college prep to better position them for pharmacy school. Long hours, burnout and tuition costs are hindering pharmacy chains' ability to fill workforce gaps, even as they position themselves to offer more services and patient monitoring.
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