News
Saying no is not a strategy: transportation, power, and the risk of standing still
1+ hour, 18+ min ago (252+ words) For decades, Juneau assumed it did not need to solve these problems because it was a government town. State jobs were considered permanent. Proximity to the Capitol building was assumed to anchor people here. Roads, crossings and even ferries were…...
Dunleavy is least popular governor in the US, with sharp drop in approval since fall, poll finds
13+ hour, 13+ min ago (555+ words) Gov. Mike Dunleavy ranks at the bottom of the favorability scale among U.S. governors, with a 37% approval and 49% disapproval rating among respondents, according to a poll released last week. The results are a huge drop from the 50% postive and 36% negative ratings…...
Alaska Beacon state and legislative daybook for the week of Feb. 9, 2026
1+ day, 1+ hour ago (889+ words) At the Alaska Beacon, we're constantly trying to figure out where we should put our attention. There's always more news than there are people to report it. Every Thursday, the Alaska Legislature publishes its committee schedule for the coming week....
Election 2026: Shelley Hughes hoping legislative achievements elevate her among a dozen Republicans seeking to be governor
1+ day, 19+ hour ago (1327+ words) Shelley Hughes" biggest applause line at a Juneau campaign event wasn"t declaring she has roots in Southeast Alaska, a policy proposal such as a new homestead act, or vowing that as governor she"d be the one to make…...
Statewide sales tax gets almost no support during first public testimony on Dunleavy’s fiscal plan
3+ day, 19+ hour ago (664+ words) Gov. Mike Dunleavy's proposed statewide sales tax ran into overwhelming opposition from Alaskans during the first legislative hearing featuring open public testimony on his fiscal plan. A total 31 people testifying during a House Finance Committee meeting Thursday night included one…...
Among Alaska’s 16 candidates for governor is a ‘pissed off’ single mother of five
3+ day, 21+ hour ago (860+ words) The first independent candidate in Alaska's 2026 gubernatorial election is a single mother of five who says she's frustrated with the condition of Alaska's fisheries, its economy and the Permanent Fund dividend. She's from Kasilof, a rural community on the Kenai…...
New grant guidelines for libraries, museums ‘particularly welcomes’ pro-Trump agenda projects
4+ day, 5+ hour ago (640+ words) A library in rural Alaska needed help providing free Wi-Fi and getting kids to read. A children's museum in Washington wanted to expand its Little Science Lab. And a World War I museum in Missouri had a raft of historic…...
Congress rebuffs Trump push to slash $33B from health, human services
4+ day, 5+ hour ago (1521+ words) News From The States Congress has approved the first public health funding bill since President Donald Trump began his second term, with lawmakers largely rejecting his proposed spending cuts and the elimination of dozens of programs." A bipartisan group of…...
Almost one in four Alaska workers doesn’t live in the state, new report concludes
4+ day, 5+ hour ago (584+ words) The number of out-of-state workers in Alaska is continuing to rise and is near an all-time high, according to a new report published this week by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. In 2024, almost 23% of non-federal jobs in…...
Alaskan Dream Cruises shuts down after 15 years in Southeast Alaska
4+ day, 15+ hour ago (655+ words) After 15 years of offering small-ship cruises in Southeast Alaska, Alaskan Dream Cruises has closed, as of Feb. 4. "This decision was intentional and necessary," said Jamey Cagle, one of the owners, in today's announcement. "After careful evaluation of our long-term objectives,…...