Community News
Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Fairbanks
Petersburg's Kéet Yaakw: First Canoe in Century Blessed at Sandy Beach
More than 100 residents gathered at Sandy Beach as Petersburg unveiled kéet yaakw, its first new canoe in a century. The Petersburg Indian Association led a traditional Tlingit blessing ceremony, marking a revival of cultural paddling traditions. The vessel now prepares tribal citizens for the journey to Celebration 2026 in Juneau.
Alaska Salmon Harvest Forecast Slashed to 125.5 Million for 2026
State biologists predict Alaska's commercial salmon catch will plummet to 125.5 million fish in 2026, less than two-thirds of 2025's haul amid cycling pink salmon declines. The sharp drop, driven by environmental patterns, threatens fishing communities from Bristol Bay to Southeast ports. With pink salmon leading the downturn, harvesters brace for lean times after last year's record projections.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Juneau Bolsters Flood Wall for Double-Sized Glacial Outbursts
Juneau's temporary flood wall along the Mendenhall River, which barely held back last summer's record glacial outburst, is getting a major upgrade. City and federal teams are racing to heighten and extend it ahead of this summer's expected deluge—nearly twice as fierce. Hundreds of Mendenhall Valley homes hang in the balance.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Dunleavy Vetoes Alaska Election Reform, Risks Override Clash
Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed bipartisan Senate Bill 64 on April 30, rejecting reforms to bolster voter rolls, track ballots and speed results ahead of 2026 races. Lawmakers from both parties, who crafted the measure over nearly a decade, plan a joint session override vote next week. The move pits election security against tight implementation timelines in a pivotal election year.
Saturday, May 2, 2026