Yereth Rosen, Alaska Beacon
Alaska bill making church and synagogue vandalism a felony is signed into law
Alaskas's new law addresses vandalism attacks on synagogues and other religious sites, which are increasing nationwide.
Road section removed at Alaska’s Katmai National Park to protect archaeological sites
The road section, built in 2014 without proper tribal consultation, has now been removed, and the park has improved its procedures.
Lawsuit claims fishery managers have failed to adequately protect Alaska’s coral gardens
An environmental group says the National Marine Fisheries Service should do much more to limit bottom trawling in the Gulf of Alaska.
Justice to monitor Alaska primary election for compliance with language requirements
The Department of Justice will have observers in certain rural areas to see if Indigenous language speakers are served properly.
Survey of Alaska youth reveals more mental health problems, but also some positive trends
The latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey found more anxiety and suicidal thoughts than earlier surveys, but also less alcohol and tobacco use.
Rising pertussis case numbers in Alaska prompt warnings and prevention recommendations
This year’s spike in the disease known as "whooping cough" follows COVID-19 pandemic years that had very few cases reported.
The Alaska Supreme Court weighs citizens’ right to challenge state’s predator control program
An opponent of the multiyear bear-killing program is defending her standing to be a plaintiff against the state.
NOAA selects Alaska projects for funding from its climate-resilience program
Federal climate resilience grants, including for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, are aimed at helping at-risk communities.
Alaska highlighted in new Department of Defense Arctic strategy
The newly released strategy cites Alaska’s role in protecting the homeland from increased Russian and Chinese threats.
Bill mandating end to use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams becomes law in Alaska
The new law requires a switch to PFAS-free foams by Jan. 1 and sets up a system to help rural villages get rid of them.
Goals for new Alaska crime law range from harsher penalties for drug dealers to reducing recidivism
Some celebrate major progress on the state’s thorniest crime issues while others criticize the methods.
New federal program aims to speed restoration of damaged Alaska streams and rivers
A new program has a toolbox of techniques to be used as the Bureau of Land Management seeks to restore waterways damaged by mining.
Governor’s vetoes whittle list of funded Alaska Long Trail projects to four
Left intact are projects to improve trails at Flattop Mountain and develop an Indigenous gateway in downtown Anchorage.
Denali and Fairbanks-area fires disrupt tourists and communities in Alaska
Wildfires around the state have accelerated, with fires at the entrance of Denali National Park and around Fairbanks causing the most problems.
Federal departments announce about $280M in funding for Alaska projects
Grants from Transportation, Interior and Agriculture will fund road and harbor projects, energy development and cleanup of old oil wells.
Hilcorp announces plan to buy Eni’s oil fields on Alaska’s North Slope
The deal, which must be cleared by state regulators, would expand Hilcorp’s Alaska operations to the offshore Oooguruk and Nikaitchuq oil fields.
Coast Guard icebreaker Healy headed to Alaska for 3 Arctic research missions
This year's cruises by the nation's biggest icebreaker will support long-term ocean research and help train young scientists.
Royalty-free terms draw only 3 oil and gas lease bids in Alaska’s Cook Inlet
DNR Commissioner John Boyle is "disappointed" by the results but defends royalty reductions to encourage more inlet drilling.
Climate change disruptions to Alaska marine fisheries scrutinized at Kodiak workshop
It is hard to address sudden shocks like marine heatwaves that are expected to be more frequent, participants said.
Lawmaker-approved Alaska Long Trail projects, all in Anchorage, await governor’s verdict
The biggest project approved would put just over $1 million toward creating an uninterrupted 25-mile connection between Turnagain Arm and the northern area of Anchorage.