State News
Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Fairbanks
Alaska's Energy Cliff Hits Southcentral Hard Now
Southcentral Alaska stares down a natural gas shortage that arrived years early, with Enstar issuing urgent conservation pleas. Electricity rates in Fairbanks have spiked to 33 cents per kilowatt-hour amid crippling fuel costs in rural villages. Promised LNG pipelines remain stalled, leaving residents and leaders scrambling.
Skagway Rail Workers Overwhelmingly Authorize Strike at Key Alaska Attraction
Rail workers at Skagway's White Pass & Yukon Route, Southeast Alaska's top tourist draw, have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike amid stalled contract talks. The vote comes during peak cruise season, threatening disruptions for thousands of visitors. Union leaders warn of potential shutdowns if no deal is reached soon.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Alaska House Slashes Dunleavy's LNG Tax Break in Key Vote
The Alaska House Resources Committee has sharply reduced Gov. Mike Dunleavy's proposed tax cut for the Alaska LNG project, tripling the volumetric tax rate to generate more state revenue. The move, detailed in a new draft of House Bill 381, prioritizes local benefits and a Fairbanks spur line amid Southcentral's gas shortage fears. Lawmakers balance project viability with fiscal safeguards as the $44 billion endeavor hangs in the balance.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Juneau's First 2026 Cruise Ship Ushers in Passenger Caps[1]
The MS Eurodam docked in Juneau on April 27, launching Alaska's cruise season under strict new daily passenger limits for the first time. Caps of 16,000 visitors on most days and 12,000 on Saturdays aim to steady the influx on the capital's 30,000 residents. With 1.69 million passengers expected through October, locals hope for predictability amid tourism's boom.[1][2]
Saturday, May 2, 2026
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.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Juneau Senior Cassie Lumba Reaches Poetry Out Loud National Finals
Juneau-Douglas High School senior Cassie Lumba has advanced to the finals of the national Poetry Out Loud competition, captivating judges in Washington, D.C. The Alaska state champion recited works by Whitman, Moore and Bright to secure her spot among the nation's top nine. Alaskans tune in as she vies for the $20,000 top prize today.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
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
UA Regents Tap Former General Counsel as Next President
The University of Alaska Board of Regents has selected its former general counsel to lead the three-campus system amid ongoing financial pressures and strategic shifts. The move ends months of leadership transition following Pat Pitney's tenure. Alaska's flagship university eyes stability in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
College Football Top 25: Strengths and Potential Challenges
An objective look at the strengths and weaknesses of the top 25 college football teams. This analysis highlights potential trouble spots and areas of dominance. No projections, just facts.
Saturday, May 2, 2026