AGP Executive Report

Alaska Politics: Democrat Tom Begich has withdrawn from Alaska’s governor race, endorsing Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and leaving Kreiss-Tomkins as the only Democrat on the November ballot. Ballot Access: Lieutenant Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom says Treg Taylor’s name won’t be certified for the governor ballot after the Alaska Public Offices Commission found his 2026 financial disclosure didn’t substantially comply on time. Public Safety: Alaska State Troopers investigated after a trooper fired at an armed man in Wasilla; no one was hit, and the trooper is on administrative leave while the Alaska Bureau of Investigation handles the case. Wildlife Incident: A brown bear attack in Haines left a woman seriously injured; authorities are monitoring and trying to locate the bear. Juneau/Local Government: Dodge County approved $2 million for design and construction management for the Henry Dodge Office Building. Business & Consumer Watch: The FTC and 22 states, including Alaska, sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” practices that inflated ad prices.

Alaska Weather & Water: A cloud-seeding project using drones in Alaska says it triggered about 19 million gallons of precipitation over nearly 100 square miles in a few hours, reigniting debate over whether weather modification can be measured and whether it should be regulated. Juneau & Community: Juneau is set to hold a 9/11 Silent Parade, keeping attention on remembrance and local civic events. Alaska Energy & Industry: Nova Minerals’ CEO attended a U.S. Department of Energy roundtable in Fairbanks, briefing officials on building an integrated antimony supply chain in Alaska, including military-grade production. Critical Minerals & Policy: A separate Alaska-focused op-ed argues the state’s mineral resources can help reduce U.S. dependence on global supply chains. Elections: Alaska’s ranked-choice voting fallout continues after Tom Begich stepped aside, reshuffling the general-election lineup and prompting calls for Republican consolidation. Travel Costs: AAA reports Labor Day travel is still busy, with Alaska cruises in demand, but higher gas, airfare, and hotel prices than last year. Public Safety: Alaska State Troopers opened fire on a man in Wasilla, according to reports.

Alaska Politics & Elections: Alaska’s governor race is still in flux after Matt Heilala’s self-funded campaign drew scrutiny for spending about $325 per vote, while other coverage points to shifting dynamics in the GOP and closely watched Senate races. Local Governance & Schools: A lawsuit over Campbell STEM Elementary’s closure was dismissed, and Anchorage school leaders say they’re working on a new process while trying to avoid more closures this year. Public Safety: A brown bear mauling in Haines left a woman seriously but stable after an attack while walking her dog; troopers and Fish and Game are tracking the incident. Health & Medicaid: New data show Medicaid spending growth in multiple Alaska communities, including Soldotna’s Surgery category up 58.1% in 2024. Travel & Tourism: Holland America is adding Nootka Sound to select 2028 Alaska itineraries, and Valdez’s late-summer salmon season remains a busy draw. Aviation Tragedy: Multiple reports continue to detail a deadly small-plane crash near Seldovia Slough, killing four including a former Bethel mayor and three Bay Area residents. Weather: Northern lights may be visible in Alaska tonight, while forecasts also point to a cooler, wetter pattern moving in soon.

Alaska Politics: Tom Begich has suspended his Alaska governor campaign and endorsed Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, saying the race would require far more money than he has and that Democrats should unite behind one ticket. U.S. Senate Race Confusion: A new twist in Alaska’s Senate race has voters staring at a ranked-choice ballot featuring two Dan Sullivans and Mary Peltola, with Republicans warning the name mix could trip people up. Public Safety: A bear mauled a woman in Haines after she walked her dog on Mt. Riley Road; she’s in serious but stable condition and authorities are searching for the animal. Health Costs (Medicaid): New data show Medicaid spending changes across Alaska communities, including big jumps in dental services in Haines and ambulance/transport billing growth in Klawock. Local Sports: Alaska Anchorage’s Seawolves closed their Seawolf Classic with a straight-sets win over Chico State, and Hermantown defenseman Drew Nelson committed to continue at UAA. Aviation Tragedy: Investigators continue work after a deadly small-plane crash near Seldovia Slough, with victims identified as Bay Area residents.

Alaska Politics: Tom Begich has suspended his Alaska governor campaign and endorsed fellow Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, saying the race would require “millions more” from already-stretched Alaskans. Southeast Alaska Housing & Homelessness: Ketchikan Indian Community opened the Yee gu.aa yax xˈwán Permanent Supportive Housing facility, a 28-unit project set to welcome its first elders in September. Tongass Conservation Fight: KIC and two conservation groups filed a lawsuit challenging a Forest Service-approved Revillagigedo Island logging project, arguing it would harm subsistence life and old-growth habitat. Public Safety: Anchorage police said a woman killed after an Aug. 18 standoff was armed with a BB gun designed to look like a real firearm. Community & Services: Coast Guard Southeast Alaska terminated an unauthorized commercial passenger operation in Sitka, citing missing federal waivers. Education: Juneau School District released 2026-27 enrollment numbers, while statewide coverage also highlighted ongoing school attendance and enrollment pressures.

Alaska Politics: Tom Begich is dropping out of the governor’s race and endorsing Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, reshaping the Nov. 3 ballot after Alaska’s ranked-choice rules could otherwise split GOP voters. U.S. Senate Race: Alaska election officials say they’re counting more ballots and that Mary Peltola’s lead is holding in a closely watched Senate contest. Plane Crash Update: State authorities say four people died after a small aircraft crashed into shallow coastal waters near Seldovia; the NTSB is investigating. Public Safety: Alaska State Troopers report a Big Lake man arrested after searches turned up morphine pills, other controlled substances, and stolen credit cards, IDs, checks, and testosterone. Local Crime/Community: A Milwaukee strip club, Silk on Water, announced a temporary closure tied to ongoing violence in the Water Street entertainment district. Environment/Science: Scientists are using AI to track permafrost thaw as Arctic lakes drain faster in some regions. Wildlife Safety: Bear encounters are rising in the U.S., and BearWise offers guidance on what to do if you meet one.

Alaska Wildfire Watch: The state is extending fire season in the Delta, Tok and Copper River protection areas through Sept. 14, keeping burn permits required as dry conditions leave fuels ready to ignite. Juneau & Southeast Community Notes: Seldovia will host a household hazardous waste collection day Sept. 4, and local officials are also dealing with ferry planning as Cordova pushes back on a winter Prince William Sound service gap. Elections & Governance: Alaska’s Supreme Court fast-tracked a ruling on Ballot Measure 2, ordering one added clarification about how governor and lieutenant governor would run if ranked-choice and open primaries are repealed. Courts & Energy: A federal judge dismissed an Alaska lawsuit challenging Trump’s offshore leasing restart, citing lack of standing. Public Safety: Anchorage police are investigating after a gun was found on campus at West Anchorage High School; students and staff were secured and safe. Sports: Alaska Anchorage rallied to beat Texas Woman’s in its home volleyball opener.

Antimony Buildout in Alaska: Nova Minerals shipped about 454 tons of antimony processing and refining equipment to Port MacKenzie, with barge delivery expected in early September and construction aimed at first production in 2027. Alaska Politics & Voting: A court ordered one change to an Alaska ballot measure aimed at ending ranked-choice voting, while another opinion argues Alaska should “use it one last time” before dumping ranked-choice. Juneau/State Governance: A judge is set to rule on a question of bias in Alaska ballot measure language, keeping election rules in the spotlight. Public Safety & Community: Anchorage Police is seeking nearly $600,000 to expand its “Real Time Crime Center,” with lawmakers questioning surveillance tech and policework as the system nears its one-year mark. Sports: Alaska Anchorage opened the Seawolf Invitational with a win over Texas Woman’s, and the Nanooks volleyball team started the season with a home victory.

Seldovia Plane Crash: Alaska State Troopers identified the four people killed when a Piper PA-24 went down in Seldovia Slough; the NTSB is investigating. Labor Leadership: Joelle Hall is stepping down as head of the Alaska AFL-CIO, with Heidi Drygas set to replace her. Alaska Politics: The Alaska U.S. Senate primary is still tangled by two Dan Sullivans advancing to the general election, adding confusion for voters. Oil & Gas Oversight: Interior plans to fast-track winter oil exploration on the North Slope, potentially using categorical exclusions that could skip public review. Cook Inlet Risk: A miles-long oil sheen near an inactive Cook Inlet platform has renewed concerns about aging offshore infrastructure. Cyber & Training: RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 is wrapping up, including a cyber component integrated into the exercise. Meta Child Safety: Alaska is set to receive up to $23 million from a landmark Meta settlement requiring new child-safety features on Instagram and Facebook. Online Threats: The FBI warns Alaska families about a surge in sextortion and hoax threats as school starts. Skywatching: Scientists map glacier-collapse risks after Nepal’s disaster, and Alaska is among places with similar hazard ingredients.

Aviation Tragedy: A Piper PA-24 crashed into Seldovia Slough near Seldovia, killing all four adults on board; troopers had to wait for the tide to recover the victims, and the NTSB is investigating the cause. Big Tech & Youth Safety: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a sweeping multistate settlement with Meta requiring major Instagram/Facebook child-safety changes, with hundreds of millions in payments to states. Energy & Permitting: The Interior Department is preparing to ease environmental reviews for some winter oil and gas work in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, using a proposed “categorical exclusion” based on past studies. Mining & Defense Supply Chains: Nova Minerals says nearly 500 tons of antimony processing equipment is en route to its Port MacKenzie plant, aiming for initial antimony production in 2027. Skywatching: A deep partial “almost blood moon” lunar eclipse is set to be visible across the U.S. Thursday night into early Friday, with peak coverage around midnight ET.

Meta Settlement: Alaska is among states reaching a landmark $17.1B deal with Meta over alleged harm to teens, with required child-safety changes for Facebook and Instagram. Alaska Elections: Alaska’s U.S. House race is set to include Eric Hafner, a New York federal prisoner, after he advanced from the primary; meanwhile, the Alaska Senate ballot is shaping up with two Dan Sullivans plus Mary Peltola. Plane Crash Update: Investigators continue identifying victims from last week’s remote western Alaska charter crash; another passenger has been named. Energy & Industry: The U.S. Army is moving ahead with “Project Janus,” awarding up to $2.2B for tiny nuclear microreactors that could eventually power remote bases, including in Alaska. Cost of Living: Gas prices in the Northwest Arctic village of Shungnak hit about $26.82 a gallon, highlighting how supply disruptions can hit rural Alaska hardest. Public Safety: Alaska’s 2025 crime report shows statewide offenses up 7.2%, driven largely by Anchorage.

Alaska Politics: A retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan advanced to Alaska’s U.S. Senate general election, setting up a rare ballot fight with multiple “Dan Sullivans” and adding fresh fuel to claims of voter confusion. Tongass Roadless Rule: The Forest Service scheduled September hearings on rescinding roadless protections in the Tongass National Forest, with oral testimony planned in Ketchikan and Anchorage plus online sessions. Marine Highway Funding: Alaska is set to receive $410 million in delayed federal money for Marine Highway system upgrades, a major boost for ferry reliability across the state. Critical Minerals & Defense Supply: Nova Minerals hosted a U.S. congressional delegation at its Estelle gold and antimony project, highlighting federal interest in building a domestic antimony supply chain. Climate & Water: A drone cloud-seeding effort claims 19 million gallons of extra precipitation over Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula in three hours, while separate reporting looks at how beavers are shifting northward and affecting Arctic climate feedbacks. Public Safety/Environment: Agencies investigated an oily sheen reported near a Cook Inlet oil platform, with the source still unclear.

Sentencing Update: Anchorage Superior Court reduced Brian Hall’s 1993 double-murder sentence to a combined 99 years, but supporters hoping for immediate release say he still won’t be freed unless parole is granted later this year. Public Safety: Fairbanks police charged Valerie Bailey with third-degree assault after an alleged hatchet attack at an encampment, and also charged Cyrus Segevan with multiple counts of fourth-degree assault tied to a June incident. Local Fraud Watch: Kenai ranked second statewide in July scam reports, with four reports and the biggest loss tied to an employment scam. Wildfire Funding: Anchorage lawmakers are asking whether voters will fund the fire department’s wildfire prevention division once grant money runs out after 2027. Alaska Politics: A new count shows Mary Peltola leading Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s open primary, with thousands of votes still outstanding. Trade Ripple: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs could hit Alaska and other Senate battleground states as costs rise and supply chains get disrupted. Plane Crash Update: The U.S. military identified two of the eight victims from last week’s Southwest Alaska charter crash, including an Anchorage hockey goalie.

Plane Crash Tragedy: A Cessna 441 charter flight crashed while approaching Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in western Alaska, killing all eight aboard, including two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees; the U.S. Air Force identified 2nd Lt. Leah Borsich as one of the victims as investigators look into what went wrong. Energy Costs: A new report highlights how Alaska’s rural communities—many dependent on diesel—are getting squeezed by global oil prices and war-driven fuel costs, forcing families to cut back on basics like heat and electricity. Offshore Drilling Fight: An Alaska federal judge dismissed an environmental groups’ lawsuit challenging Trump-era offshore drilling expansion, saying the case was premature, while leaving the door open to refile if drilling moves closer. Local Economy & Travel: Alaska’s cruise appeal remains a standout, with coverage pointing to how the state’s geography and ports make it unlike any other destination. Politics & Confusion: Alaska’s U.S. Senate race continues to draw national attention over the bizarre “Dan Sullivan” name situation, adding to voter confusion heading into November.

Alaska LNG Fight: A federal judge dismissed environmental groups’ challenge to Trump’s offshore drilling expansion, saying the case was premature because drilling isn’t imminent in federal waters; the groups say they’ll refile if leasing or drilling moves forward. Energy & Power: Chugach Electric says it’s been strengthening Southcentral reliability by extending gas supply timelines, adding storage and agreements, and studying hydro options as Alaska’s energy future gets debated. Juneau Politics: A Ninth Circuit panel sent a downtown Juneau tribal land-into-trust dispute back after the Interior Department changed its position, keeping the fight alive. Public Safety: The Eleventh Air Force released the name of 2nd Lt. Leah Borsich, killed in a Cape Newenham aircraft mishap. Local Justice: An Emmonak man was jailed on first-degree murder charges after a woman was found dead in a steam bath. Cost of Living: Gas hit $26.82 a gallon in Shungnak after low Kobuk River water disrupted barge deliveries, forcing fuel to be flown in. Health IT: VA says it deployed a federal electronic health record system at three Indiana hospitals, with Alaska’s Anchorage system next. Aviation/Travel: WestJet flight attendants voted to accept a deal boosting wages and adding pay for previously unpaid duty time.

Alaska Senate Race: A New York Times report spotlights the “second Dan Sullivan” in Alaska’s Senate primary—an Anchorage-area former mayor who backed incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, adding fuel to a campaign already framed by Democrats as a rigged setup under Alaska’s ranked-choice rules. Tongass Logging Fight: Southeast Alaska conservationists are pushing back on a U.S. Forest Service old-growth logging plan near Ketchikan that would cut 4,000 acres and build new roads, warning of impacts to wildlife and subsistence. Juneau Shipping/EVs: Juneau’s barge market is getting a new competitor—Alaska Logistics Services—promising more freight options and starting EV shipments after a long squeeze on electric vehicle deliveries. Ferry Funding Finally Lands: After delays, Alaska is set to receive the final $410 million installment for Marine Highway upgrades, including replacements and terminal work. Rural Power AI: UAF’s new AURORA-AI project aims to use real-time AI to help rural Alaska microgrids run more reliably. Safety/Tragedy: The Coast Guard has suspended a search for a crewmember who fell overboard from a fishing vessel in Sawmill Bay near Valdez.