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A massive fire erupted at Whittier’s brand-new $80 million cruise ship dock, leaving firefighters stranded without working hydrants and forcing them to rely on tenders shuttling water from miles away. The blaze destroyed the empty catamaran Klondike Express and forced a shutdown of the only road into town, with crews from Anchorage and Girdwood stepping in to help. Thankfully, no one was injured —...

Eleven American Samoan residents of Whittier, Alaska, had charges dropped after winning a school board race — they were accused of illegal voting because they’re U.S. nationals but not citizens. Prosecutors failed to meet a new legal standard requiring proof of intent to deceive, and instead of appealing, the state chose to drop all charges. Their attorneys called the prosecutions traumatizing for...

Alaska’s lone House seat is heating up as incumbent Rep. Nick Begich and independent challenger Bill Hill clash over fisheries policy in a high-stakes debate. Both candidates, while running on similar platforms, bring different strengths: Begich touts his legislative record, while Hill leverages his decades as a Bristol Bay fisherman. They agree on critical issues like reducing bycatch, boosting l...

Alaska’s lone House seat is heating up as incumbent Rep. Nick Begich and independent challenger Bill Hill clash over fisheries policy in a high-stakes debate. Both candidates, while running on similar platforms, bring different strengths: Begich touts his legislative record, while Hill leverages his decades as a Bristol Bay fisherman. They agree on critical issues like reducing bycatch, boosting l...

The Congressional Budget Office just revealed that U.S. military operations in Iran have already cost over $40 billion—and could keep draining billions monthly for years. The war’s also crippled our missile defense systems, leaving us vulnerable. While the CBO’s numbers are based on public data (and thus uncertain), they predict inflation will rise by half a point in early 2027 due to energy spike...

Trump lashes out at the Supreme Court after it rejects his bid to restrict mail-in voting, calling the decision a historic blow and blaming “Radical Left” influence. He praised dissenters Alito and Thomas but criticized his own appointees—Gorsuch, Barrett, and Kavanaugh—for not siding with him, warning the ruling could cost trillions and stall economic recovery. While he’s long attacked judges who...

Despite losing federal backing under the Trump administration, the Arctic Report Card — a vital climate science staple since 2006 — continues thanks to the American Geophysical Union stepping in to manage it. Led by top researchers from Alaska and Colorado, the team remains steadfast in delivering accessible, unfiltered data on sea ice, permafrost, and wildlife, especially in Alaska. This year’s r...

Widow’s Bay crushed it at the Emmys, winning a record 14 awards—including best comedy series and three trophies for Matthew Rhys—proving that bold, weird storytelling pays off. Meanwhile, The Pitt held strong with its second straight drama win for Noah Wyle, but fell short of its record-breaking nominations. Jean Smart made history with her fifth Emmy for Hacks, while Rhea Seehorn finally took hom...

Despite federal funding cuts, the Arctic Report Card survives thanks to a bold move by the American Geophysical Union, stepping in to manage this vital climate snapshot—now more crucial than ever as global attention turns to polar changes. Anchored by top Alaskan researchers and powered by an unbroken team of scientists, the report continues to deliver critical updates on ice, permafrost, and wild...

The Juneau Assembly wrapped up a packed meeting with major decisions on nonprofit sales tax, glacial flood protections, and city leadership pay. Nonprofits’ tax obligations were put on hold indefinitely, while unanimous approval went to new flood mitigation ordinances. Both the city manager and city attorney received 3% raises plus $2,000 bonuses—pushing their salaries over $243K and $214K respect...

A critical gap in Alaska’s highway safety is widening: the 160-mile stretch of the Parks Highway between Willow and Cantwell—vital for locals and tourists alike—is dangerously underserved by law enforcement. With no permanent troopers since 2016, response times are slow, emergencies go unaddressed, and communities demand action. Funding nearly secured in 2025 was pulled by the Senate, leaving thou...

On Constitution Day, we’re reminded that the document’s true power lies not in ink, but in action—our collective will to defend democracy. As debates rage over presidential overreach in war, tariffs, and elections, the system of checks and balances is under strain. While some lawmakers hesitate to act for fear of political fallout, others are stepping up to restore accountability. The future of Am...

Trump’s bold “Trump Dividend” pitch—promising $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans win control of Congress—is more political theater than fiscal reality. With the U.S. drowning in $40 trillion debt and no constitutional authority to unilaterally distribute cash, the move reads like a vote-buying stunt. Alaskans, seasoned in broken dividend promises from their own Permanent Fund, are espec...

Even a century after Walter Harper’s historic climb, forecasting weather on Mount McKinley remains an epic challenge—no radios, no real-time data, and a mountain so vast that weather shifts faster than models can catch them. With sparse, unreliable stations and forecasters relying on satellites, balloons, and climbers’ reports, the summit still holds surprises. Technology helps, but nature’s raw p...

Alaska’s political landscape is ripe for change, and the author’s calling it out—after a decade of watching elected leaders blindly follow a single shepherd, they’re done. With a lifetime of nonpartisan voting rooted in principle, they’ve now declared the Republican Party unrecognizable under the “Trumplican” label—and won’t support anyone aligned with it. This November, they’re urging voters to b...

Vote no on Measure Two to protect political transparency and stop the flood of dark money—this ballot measure could let wealthy donors secretly shape elections while pretending to uphold democracy. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Sou...

National parks are falling short on staff, turning once-vibrant visitor experiences into bare-bones operations. At Denali, ranger-led hikes and talks vanished—replaced by a lone dog sled demo. In Portage, Alaska, the Begich Boggs Visitor Center slashed from 14 to 4 employees, forcing it to close days during peak season. Park managers are stretched thin, and visitors are losing out on education, sa...

Alaska’s Senate race is boiling over as incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola clash in Kodiak, with the fishing industry at the heart of their debate. Both candidates are vying for voters who rely on Alaska’s vital seafood economy, trading accusations and policy promises around bycatch, fuel costs, and salmon shortages. Peltola, a former House lawmaker pushing to...

Fairbanks schools are launching a proactive threat assessment system, partnering with state troopers, the DA’s office, and juvenile justice to catch dangerous signs early—turning vague red flags into actionable steps before crises erupt. After two years of planning, this structured protocol replaces guesswork with clear checklists and consistent procedures, empowering staff to intervene without ov...

BHP is back in Alaska, staking new copper claims after a decade-long absence, signaling big ambitions for mining in remote Southcentral Alaska. While still in the early exploration phase—with no mine expected for years—BHP’s move is major: they’ve got the capital and expertise to turn discoveries into reality, unlike smaller firms that often can’t go the full distance. This surge comes as global c...

Alaska’s House race heats up as incumbent Nick Begich and challenger Bill Hill clash — and surprisingly agree — over fishing, bycatch, and coastal futures. In a Kodiak debate, both candidates rally behind protecting salmon, boosting local representation on fisheries councils, and fighting climate-driven declines. Begich touts his legislative wins, while Hill brings decades of hands-on fishing expe...

The Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s block on new Postal Service mail-in ballot rules for the upcoming midterms, leaving the current system intact until after Election Day. The justices avoided ruling on the long-term legality of the regulations but signaled that challengers have strong grounds to win their case. Critics—including states and voting rights groups—argued the changes were unw...

Anchorage’s new “Missing Middle Housing Opportunity” overlay aims to boost housing supply by relaxing zoning rules near major roads and transit, allowing more units per lot and closer street placement—think duplexes and four-plexes. Covering key corridors like Muldoon and East Tudor, plus neighborhoods such as South Addition and Rogers Park, the plan seeks to bridge the gap between single-family h...

Alaska drops all felony voter misconduct charges against Tupe Smith and nine family members after a court ruled the state couldn’t prove they knew they were committing fraud — a key legal requirement. The case, sparked by confusion over voter forms for American Samoan nationals, ended with the family cleared despite losing loved ones during the ordeal, including Michael Pese’s mother who died whil...

Glenfarne’s Alaska LNG play is a masterclass in strategic patience: while stalling a $17B pipeline project they only partially own, they’re cashing in big-time on a profitable LNG import terminal already serving captive customers. With political deals falling apart and the state footing the bill for a future pipeline that may never make sense, Glenfarne’s real move? Lock in revenue now, hold the o...