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Murkowski weighs in on public broadcasting, transboundary mining and Peltola’s options
It was an eventful year in national politics, and Alaska’s senior senator was often in the spotlight for bucking the Republican Party or the Trump administration.
Jan 611 min read
Alaska Family and Community Services commissioner leaves state post for Trump administration job
The State Office Building in Juneau is seen on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) By Yereth Rosen Alaska Beacon The commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Family and Community Services has departed that position to take a job with the Trump administration. Kim Kovol has accepted a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced last week. Her last day working for the state was on Friday, and Tracy Dompeling, the depa
Jan 53 min read
Top Alaska public safety stories of 2025: Typhoon Halong, crime and immigration enforcement
Alaska dealt with a range of public safety challenges and policy choices in 2025, from extreme weather to immigration enforcement.
Dec 314 min read
Top Alaska education stories of 2025: state funding boost, federal freezes and disaster displacement
It was a difficult and consequential year for Alaska schools, educators and students. While Alaska lawmakers passed the first significant education funding increase since 2011, the state rode a federal funding rollercoaster as funds were frozen, released, disputed and appealed.
Dec 30, 20254 min read
Alaska could see up to $1.36 billion for rural health over the next 5 years
Alaska was awarded more federal money than any state besides Texas for a federal rural health initiative, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on Monday.
Dec 30, 20253 min read
Dunleavy picks 2 Mat-Su Republicans to fill vacant Alaska House seats
The Republican governor made the appointments Wednesday, and the two men may replace Sens. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, whom the governor previously appointed to fill two vacancies in the Senate.
Dec 26, 20252 min read
Alaska’s slow justice system is letting somebody get away with Eunice Whitman’s killing
Whitman’s boyfriend spent seven years in jail on bad evidence, and no one has stood trial in her murder
Dec 24, 202515 min read
AFN alarmed by proposed review of Alaska’s system of subsistence hunting and fishing
The U.S. Department of the Interior is considering whether to change Alaska’s unique system of hunting and fishing, which gives rural residents priority on federal land in Alaska.
Dec 24, 20252 min read
Military spending bill includes free flights for Alaska soldiers and a push to reopen Adak
Sen. Dan Sullivan says $115 million in Arctic infrastructure money is intended to start reactivation for Aleutian base
Dec 23, 20254 min read
Alaska fisheries in 2025: turmoil, economic and environmental challenges and some bright spots
NOAA cuts, economic headwinds and invasive species pose problems, but there was some recovery in crab stocks and salmon harvests.
Dec 23, 20254 min read
A year before Alaska’s US House election, two candidates are emerging as frontrunners
Republicans and Democrats are aligning around Republican Rep. Nick Begich III and Democratic challenger Matt Schultz, endorsements show.
Dec 22, 20253 min read
Alaska’s $44 billion bet on natural gas
No-bid deals, undisclosed contracts, and millions already spent: inside the wild story of the Alaska gas pipeline that will not die.
Dec 22, 202521 min read
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