AGP Executive Report

Juneau: The capital topped WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of America’s safest cities, which weighed community, disaster and financial risks. Election Watch: Early voting is underway across Alaska ahead of the Nov. 3 races for governor, Congress and the Legislature, plus two ballot initiatives. Mendenhall Valley: Twenty-two residents appealed approval of a high-density farm permit, citing concerns about bear attractants, runoff and incomplete plans. Air Travel: Alaska Seaplanes is challenging a Juneau airport review that could shift more costs onto small carriers and raise fares for communities with few transportation options. Public Health: Flu is spreading earlier than usual: Alaska reported 285 cases for Oct. 3–9, compared with 14 in the same week last year; Southeast’s rate was among the state’s highest. Infrastructure: A $249 million federal grant will fund the Alaska Railroad’s Port MacKenzie extension, while Ketchikan residents face possible power outages after a landslide.

Election 2026: Early voting opened across Alaska, with long lines in Anchorage and voters in Juneau casting ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 races for governor, Senate, Congress and the Legislature. The Senate contest between Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola is among the races that could decide control of the chamber. Transportation: The Alaska Railroad received $249 million in federal funding to finish a 32-mile extension to Port MacKenzie, with officials aiming to start construction next spring. Alaska LNG: President Donald Trump says the costly gas project is now a federal government project, but its funding and ownership remain unsettled; South Korean and Taiwanese investment plans are also unclear. Rural Costs: As fuel topped $25 a gallon in some Northwest Alaska villages, AIDEA sent $25,000 checks to Shungnak, Ambler and Kobuk for local relief. Culture: Alaska Native elders and youth are meeting to share cultural knowledge and traditions amid changes to their communities. Arts: Mr. Whitekeys, the Alaskan entertainer behind the Whale Fat Follies, has died.

Election Watch: Early voting opened Monday across Alaska for the Nov. 3 midterms, with Senate, House, governor and legislative races, plus two ballot measures, on the ballot. In Juneau, a hazmat team intercepted a suspicious envelope addressed to the state Division of Elections. A new disclosure also shows a super PAC backing “Decoy Dan” Sullivan received nearly $1 million from a progressive fund, intensifying scrutiny of the close Senate race. Juneau’s Natural Hazards: A new study says an August 2025 landslide-triggered tsunami in Tracy Arm sent water 1,580 feet up a mountainside, underscoring risks as glaciers retreat. Forecasters also warned of a white-out week, with up to three feet of snow in parts of Alaska. State Resources: The governor’s race could shape state spending on mining roads and oil exploration, while Alaska seeks suppliers for a proposed $413 million Cook Inlet undersea power cable. Public Safety: The Army is expected to investigate a deadly fire at Fort Wainwright.

State Football: Lathrop ended Soldotna’s three-year Division II title run with a 35-14 win, led by Wilson Lawson’s 11 catches, 290 yards and four touchdowns. Kenai Central also claimed the Division III crown, beating Homer 28-13. Juneau: The city is asking residents to weigh in on its response to glacial-lake outburst floods, while federal funding cuts are raising concerns about local health care. Alaska Politics: Sen. Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola have clashed over Iran and high prices in a closely watched Senate race. New national polls put President Trump’s approval in the low-to-mid 30s as Republicans face a tough midterm map that includes Alaska. Wildlife and Parks: The Trump administration has restored a rule allowing sport hunters to bait bears on Alaska national preserves, drawing conservationists’ objections. Ancient Alaska: Archaeologists uncovered a 13,800-year-old camp near Fairbanks, with tools, bone needles and features that may be remnants of an early shelter. Fat Bear Week: Katmai’s Bear 89, known as Backpack, won the public vote, following in the pawprints of his mother, 2019 champion Holly.

Interior Elections: Alaska legislative candidates at a Fairbanks forum backed a regulatory framework and local input for data centers, but differed on how much the state should encourage them. The debate comes as Golden Valley Electric Association has warned of possible outages and urged customers to conserve power. Candidates also broadly supported the Alaska LNG project, though its owners have not made a final investment decision. Wildlife: The National Park Service has finalized a rule allowing hunters to bait black and brown bears with food on Alaska national preserves, reversing protections restored in 2024. Critics warn baiting can put wildlife and park visitors at risk. Power Link: The Alaska Energy Authority is seeking cost estimates for a proposed $413 million undersea cable across Cook Inlet that could give the Kenai Peninsula another connection to the Railbelt grid. About $142 million in project funding remains unsecured, and costs and route details are still unsettled.

Alaska Senate Race: Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola traded personal attacks in their final debate, clashing over Iran, prices and their records as the closely watched race drew national attention. Juneau Preparedness: The City and Borough of Juneau is asking residents to weigh in on its response to glacial lake outburst flooding, as concern grows about landslide-tsunami risks in busy Alaska fjords. Ketchikan Labor: Shipyard workers voted to unionize, with 27 of 34 uncontested ballots in favor; the union says the operator has yet to begin contract talks. Iditarod: Aliy Zirkle, DeeDee Jonrowe and four-time champion Doug Swingley have joined the Iditarod Hall of Fame’s 2026 class. Cultural Repatriation: A Ketchikan family’s trip to bring home an ancestor who died at Carlisle Indian Industrial School took an unexpected turn when officials found another person’s remains beneath her headstone; relatives say the journey brought them closer, and they hope to bring their ancestor home.

Juneau Health: New CDC estimates indicate about 3,700 Juneau adults—14.8% of the borough’s adult population—experience frequent mental distress, up from 12.3% in pre-pandemic estimates. Wildlife and Parks: Federal rules now shield oil and gas companies from liability for some accidental killings of polar bears and walruses off Alaska’s northern coast through 2031. A separate policy change allowing bear baiting on national preserve lands has drawn sharp criticism from conservationists. Alaska Politics: Sen. Dan Sullivan and challenger Mary Peltola traded personal attacks in a heated debate over Iran, energy costs and their records, as the closely watched race could affect control of the Senate. Fisheries: Alaska’s pollock industry faces renewed scrutiny over industrial trawling and salmon bycatch, intensifying a fight over how to manage a major seafood harvest. Southeast Safety: Juneau residents are being asked to weigh in on this year’s emergency response to glacial lake outburst floods, as landslide-tsunami risks also grow in busy Alaska fjords.

Senate Race: Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan traded accusations in a heated debate over the Iran war, fuel costs and health care, as Alaska’s closely watched race heads toward the Nov. 3 election. Wildlife Policy: The Trump administration finalized a rule allowing sport hunters to bait bears in Alaska’s national preserves, reversing protections adopted under the Obama and Biden administrations. State Budget: Rising oil prices could deliver Alaska a surplus of hundreds of millions of dollars — potentially more than $1 billion — but governor’s candidates disagree on whether to promise a balanced budget or include a full Permanent Fund dividend. Coastal Safety: Alaska’s steep, unstable fjords pose a growing landslide-tsunami threat to fishing boats and cruise ships; experts say there is no plan in place, despite a deadly-scale wave hitting Tracy Arm last year.

Senate Race: Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola clashed in their final debate over the Iran war, energy costs, health care and Alaska’s fishing industry. The race is rated a toss-up, with control of the Senate at stake. Housing Pressures: A Fairbanks summit highlighted rental shortages, especially for families, and high energy and construction costs. Vacancy has fallen below the 10% level considered healthy. Western Alaska Recovery: A year after Typhoon Halong devastated Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, many evacuees remain displaced. Federal rental aid for nearly 200 households expires in April, and state officials plan to seek an extension. Energy and Connectivity: Taiwan says it plans to invest up to $4.4 billion in the Alaska LNG project, subject to negotiations; larger purchase claims touted by President Trump have not been finalized. The FCC is also preparing a proposed $162 million boost for rural Alaska mobile broadband. Juneau Health Care: Officials warn federal funding cuts pose a critical threat to local health services.

Senate Race: Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola faced a high-profile debate as they compete for Alaska’s U.S. Senate seat, with control of the chamber at stake. Land and Development: The Senate Resources Committee subpoenaed Natural Resources Commissioner John Crowther over a proposed 20,000-acre transfer near Houston for an industrial and energy district that could include data centers. He is due to testify Oct. 26. Alaska LNG: Taiwan says talks with project developer Glenfarne have advanced, after President Trump touted a deal for Taiwan to buy 30% of the proposed pipeline’s gas for 20 years. Investment and contract terms remain unsettled. Denali Access: The Interior Department will raise the daily vehicle limit on the park road from about 100 to 160 during the summer season, expanding visitor access. Rural Connectivity: The FCC is preparing to consider $162 million in additional mobile broadband support for Alaska.

Alaska LNG: Taiwan says it is moving toward an investment of up to $4.4 billion in the proposed pipeline and plans to buy as much as 30% of its gas. Final terms are still under negotiation, despite President Trump presenting the deal as secured. Rural Connectivity: The FCC is considering $162 million in additional funding to extend mobile broadband to unserved Alaska communities. State Politics: Alaska’s Senate Resources Committee subpoenaed the natural resources commissioner over an AIDEA land transfer, while candidates faced off in the statewide U.S. House debate. Trump’s Wasilla rally also put ranked-choice voting and the close midterm races in the spotlight. Public Safety: Alaska Air National Guard crews rescued two people after an avalanche near Eklutna Lake; a dog missing for more than 50 hours was also found alive.

Earthquake Readiness: Alaska’s Great ShakeOut drill is today at 10:15 a.m.; residents are urged to practice “Drop, Cover, Hold” and prepare emergency kits. State Oversight: The Senate Resources Committee voted to subpoena Natural Resources Commissioner John Crowther over a proposed transfer of 20,000 acres to a state development authority, which lawmakers say may exceed the law. Elections: A proposed ballot initiative would require candidates for state and federal office to collect voter signatures and pay higher filing fees. Energy Deals: Trump is touting major Alaska LNG commitments, but South Korea says its participation is still under review; Taiwan has cited progress on a potential investment and gas purchases. Recovery and Safety: A year after Typhoon Halong devastated Western Alaska communities, recovery remains uncertain. Separately, an avalanche-surviving dog was found after more than 50 hours in the Chugach Mountains, aided by an AirTag. Power Supply: Golden Valley Electric Association asked members to conserve energy and prepare for possible outages after a generator failure.

Alaska LNG: Taiwan confirmed plans to buy 6 million metric tons of Alaska liquefied natural gas a year and invest up to $4.4 billion in the proposed project. South Korea’s participation remains unconfirmed, despite President Trump’s claims of a $50 billion pledge. Alaska Politics: Trump rallied in Wasilla for Sen. Dan Sullivan and other Republicans, endorsed Bernadette Wilson for governor and urged Alaskans to repeal ranked-choice voting. He also said authorities were looking into an independent Senate candidate who shares Sullivan’s name. Juneau: The owner of Switzer Village Mobile Home Park is seeking more than $7 million from its former manager, alleging misuse of park funds and unpaid loans. The manager has not yet responded in the reported filing. Southeast Services: Rising fuel, repair and shipbuilding costs are squeezing state and regional ferry systems. Shipyard costs have climbed 73% since 2021, while one ferry operator says fuel costs are up 71% in a year. Food and Waste: The Southeast Alaska Food Bank expects to serve about 500 people each week, roughly twice its 2024 level. Southeast communities are also studying shared contracts, recycling and other options to curb the high cost of trash disposal.

Alaska Campaign: Donald Trump rallied in Wasilla for Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich, urging voters to repeal ranked-choice voting. His trip underscores a tightening Senate race: Sullivan faces Mary Peltola, while independent Bill Hill challenges Begich. Energy and Russia: The White House tied $54 billion in South Korean investment plans to Alaska LNG, but Seoul says the project is still under review. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined a bipartisan group urging Trump to reverse a Russian diesel deal, warning it could violate sanctions and aid Moscow. Western Alaska Recovery: A year after Typhoon Halong displaced more than 1,500 people, many residents still don’t know when they can return; communities are rebuilding while preparing for future storms. Juneau: Voters approved a seasonal sales tax, according to early election results.

Alaska Campaign: President Donald Trump is due in Wasilla today to rally for Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich, with road closures and long lines expected. Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola in a race that could help decide Senate control; Peltola is campaigning in Kotzebue. King Cove Road: Peltola has reiterated her support for the proposed Izembek road as the dispute heads to federal appeals court. A judge recently overturned a land swap that would have enabled construction through protected refuge land. Juneau: Voters adopted a seasonal sales tax, while police have charged a man in a hit-and-run that left a pedestrian seriously injured. Storm Recovery: A year after Typhoon Halong devastated two Alaska villages, survivors are rebuilding and adjusting to life in the state’s largest city; full recovery is expected to take years.

Wasilla Rally: President Donald Trump is due in Wasilla Tuesday to campaign for Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich. Thousands are expected, with road closures, shuttle buses and a protest planned. Senate Race: A recent poll puts Mary Peltola six points ahead of Sullivan, whose race is considered a toss-up; Trump’s visit comes as both campaigns court Alaska’s independent voters. Juneau Crime: A 32-year-old man was charged after a hit-and-run at Savikko Park left a pedestrian seriously injured and medevaced to Seattle. Storm Recovery: One year after Typhoon Halong devastated Western Alaska villages, displaced residents are still grieving lost homes and adapting to life in Anchorage. Wildlife Rescue: An orphaned walrus calf found near Point Lay survived a perilous journey to the Alaska SeaLife Center, with help from local residents and researchers. Governor’s Race: Candidates are weighing responses to Alaska’s childcare shortage, with families facing long waitlists and costs averaging more than $14,000 a year.