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Alaska’s cabin booking system is changing big time starting October 1st—reservations will now open only three months in advance (instead of six), with a few exceptions like the Wood-Tikchik Region and cabins on Afognak and Shuyak Islands. A brand-new online booking site launches that day, and existing reservations can’t be changed from Sept 28–30. After Oct 1, you can book up to Jan 1, 2027, then...

Alaska’s gas prices are soaring to nearly $5.06, with diesel hitting a staggering $6.40—both up sharply from last month and far above the national average. Driven by global oil spikes and Middle East unrest, Alaskans are cutting back, businesses are reeling from rising costs, and rural areas brace for a brutal winter. Yet paradoxically, higher oil revenues could boost Alaska’s budget long-term, fu...

Flood watch in effect through Saturday for Fairbanks, North Pole, and Fort Wainwright as saturated ground can’t handle incoming rain—expect minor river flooding, especially on the Chena and Little Chena. Already seeing impacts: flooded underpass and submerged boat launch. Stay alert, monitor NOAA updates, and prepare for tricky travel near waterways. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pil...

Alaska’s lawmakers are in a legal and political uproar over a massive 20,000-acre land transfer to AIDEA for an industrial park — potentially including data centers — sparking fears the deal may violate state law by failing to guarantee a “public purpose.” Five Senate members demanded clearer assurances from the Department of Natural Resources, citing vague plans and public interest concerns. Whil...

BlueCrest Energy’s breakthrough financing could finally unlock a major natural gas boost for Southcentral Alaska, with drilling set to begin December 15th and first gas by March 1st — just in time to ease a long-standing supply crunch. Despite past lease threats over missed deadlines, the company’s ambitious plan includes an extended-reach well and expanded facility, targeting 50 million cubic fee...

Fairbanks is poised to crack down on high-powered e-bikes with a new mayor-backed ordinance targeting models over 20 mph and 750 watts, citing safety concerns after reports of near-misses on sidewalks. While some residents applaud the move for pedestrian protection, others—including teen riders’ parents—fear it stifles innovation and safe mobility. Local businesses echo the need for limits, especi...

A brand-new wilderness hut, the Lars Spurkland Memorial Hut, just opened in the Placer River Valley—sleeps 13, wheelchair accessible, and reachable by Alaska Railroad. Built in two years with help from the railroad, it’s the second hut managed by the Alaska Mountain and Wilderness Huts Association, honoring beloved Anchorage skier Lars Spurkland. Fully stocked with cookware, utensils, and mattress...

Former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor is launching his gubernatorial bid, leveraging his record under Governor Dunleavy to tout victories against federal overreach, defense of the Willow project, and opposition to mandates — while also crediting his tenure with a drop in rape cases despite steady overall crime. He argues that unlocking Alaska’s energy and mineral resources is the path to econ...

Flooding along the Kuskokwim River and coastal areas is mostly mild to moderate, with water spilling onto Joe Lomack Beach and into Alligator Acres in Bethel—thanks to strong southerly winds blocking drainage like a bathtub with a clogged drain. River levels peaked at 9.4 feet but are already falling, with forecasters confident they’ll keep dropping even as high tide rolls in. A flood advisory for...

A shocking new study reveals over a billion birds die annually in the U.S. from window collisions—likely even more, since it only counts those reaching rehab centers. Bird strikes spike during migration seasons, and experts now urge immediate action: if a bird hits your window, grab it and bring it inside for help. Birds mistake glass for open sky or trees, leading to fatal crashes. The fix? Simpl...

Alaska voters just passed a campaign finance cap in 2022, but a new ballot measure could erase it—here’s why: the latest vote aims to undo 2020 election reforms, including joint governor-lieutenant governor ticket rules, which directly repeals the donation limit law. Officials are split on whether the cap survives or vanishes entirely, with legal experts debating interpretation and the state’s top...

A 72-year-old man in Houston, Alaska, is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing a 43-year-old guest during a chaotic backyard barbecue—where he was reportedly drunk, hostile, and fired multiple shots, including at fleeing victims, before being subdued by a neighbor. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: adverti...

The military is racing to build massive AI-powered data centers near Alaska bases like Eielson Air Force Base, but local residents are sounding the alarm over noise pollution and energy strain. With Fairbanks already grappling with sky-high power costs, Senator Lisa Murkowski has blocked new data centers at key installations like Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, citing grid instability. While the...

FBI Director Kash Patel faced a fiery Senate hearing where Democrats grilled him on election interference, calling him a “thug” and demanding the FBI stay out of November’s vote. Patel defiantly rejected the idea of a “charade of lies,” while senators pushed back with personal attacks. A bizarre twist emerged when hiring standards were questioned — including whether past crimes like bestiality sti...

A beloved Wrangell institution, the Marine Bar — a harbor-side fixture since the 1950s and lifeline for local fishermen — burned to the ground early Tuesday morning. Fire crews raced against time as the blaze erupted around 3 AM, forcing street closures and raising alarms over nearby propane tanks. Neighbors like Susan Stevens were shaken, fearing danger and mourning the loss of a community hub in...

Juneau’s Assembly just approved juicy 3% raises plus $2K bonuses for the city manager and attorney — bumping their pay to over $243K and $214K respectively, retroactive to July 13. The move aims to align their salaries with non-union staff, but it sparked debate: one council member called the pay already excessive, while supporters defended the consistent, rule-based compensation framework. The vo...

Juneau’s Assembly just approved juicy 3% raises plus $2K bonuses for the city manager and attorney — bumping their pay to over $243K and $214K respectively, retroactive to July 13. The move aims to align their salaries with non-union staff, but it sparked debate: one council member called the pay already excessive, while supporters defended the consistent, rule-based compensation framework. The vo...

A massive fire erupted at Whittier’s new cruise ship dock Monday morning, requiring crews to battle flames all night and use 112,000 gallons of water to finally extinguish it Tuesday. No injuries occurred, but the lack of a working hydrant forced firefighters to shuttle water from across town using three tenders — nonstop, ten-minute trips — until relief crews arrived. The response showcased incre...

School districts across the nation are grappling with a historic wave of school closures—over 1,000 in just one year—as declining birth rates, pandemic-era funding cuts, and shifting education trends collide. Communities face disruption and frustration as schools shutter or merge, often without adequate input. States are responding with new funding models and regional planning, while immigration e...

Juneau’s push to tax nonprofits sparked fierce backlash—groups warned it’d crush volunteer-run programs and add costly bureaucracy, while city officials admitted the promised revenue might be less than expected. After heated debate and confusion over the ordinance’s wording, the Assembly voted 6-2 to indefinitely postpone the measure. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://soli...

Trawl fishing isn’t the simple villain some make it out to be—Alaska’s trawl fisheries are among the most regulated in the North Pacific, with strict observer coverage and targeted rules cutting bycatch of salmon, halibut, and crab by dramatic margins. While habitat impacts and gear design are being addressed, ocean changes and predation play equally critical roles in fish population health. The r...

Despite Alaska’s bounty of harvests and wild game, food insecurity is surging—up 45% since 2020—with over 115,000 residents, or one in six, struggling to eat. SNAP participation has dropped 17%, leaving kids, elders, rural communities, and families of color especially vulnerable. School meals offer temporary relief but vanish over weekends. With federal cuts tightening access, the burden falls on...

Alaska’s economic resilience hinges on its diverse industries—fishing, tourism, and resource extraction—but two major mining proposals threaten to unravel that balance. The Pebble mine in Bristol Bay could devastate the world’s largest salmon run, worth billions and supporting 15,000 jobs, while the Johnson Tract mine in Lake Clark National Park risks polluting Cook Inlet and harming bear-viewing...

A major fire at the new Glacier Creek Cruise Ship terminal in Whittier didn’t stop the highly anticipated commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens — a cutting-edge Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Despite the blaze burning for hours, crews and partners including Huna Totem and the Princess Terminal swiftly pivoted to ensure the ceremony still happens, with the ship now set to be hosted at the...

Alaska’s top K-9 search and rescue teams converged in Sitka for an intense, hands-on training blitz—flying in from Fairbanks, Kodiak, and Juneau to sharpen skills in real-world scenarios. From urban buildings to coastal docks, handlers and dogs drilled critical techniques like decontamination and Coast Guard basket deployment. A full-scale mock rescue tested their coordination as “lost” berry pick...