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Shelley Hughes and her clueless claim about Alaska's giant land grant
Alaska entered the union in 1959 with a land grant that exceeded the size of California, more than 100 million acres.But Republican gubernatorial candidate Shelley Hughes, 68, is claiming that Alaska got shafted under the deal negotiated over many years by Alaskans and members of congress who led the charge to create the state.She claims that the only thing to do now is get the Trump administration to increase the land grant approved in 1958 by about 5 percent.This is one of the issues on which
Alaska expands eligibility for early interventions for children with developmental delays
One month old twins are seen in April 2026 (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)More Alaska infants and toddlers who are experiencing developmental delays or disabilities can be eligible for early intervention services under a new law now in effect. But service providers say more funding is critical to meet the needs of Alaskan children and families.The bill expands eligibility criteria that proponents say will allow earlier, targeted interventions for children from infancy to age three who are
Trump won’t sign housing bill in protest over SAVE Act, but it may still become law
President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2026 in Keystone, South Dakota. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)President Donald Trump said Friday morning he would not sign federal legislation aimed at lowering the cost of housing, but the bipartisan package is set to become law at 12:01 a.m. Saturday anyway.In a post to his social media site, Trump again said that as a protest against Congress not passing an elections bill known as the SAVE Am
South Peninsula Hospital in Homer celebrates 70 years
<p>The hospital held a community celebration to mark the milestone </p>
Threats to Alaska’s bees: climate, habitat, and a changing North
A section of the Harding Icefield is seen on Aug. 5, 2018, from the top of a mountain trail in Kenai Fjords National Park. It is one of the largest icefields in the United States. As it shrinks, new vegetation zones emerge, changing the landscape for pollinators. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)On a still June morning in Interior Alaska, a bumblebee clings to a wild rose petal, waiting for the sun to warm the air enough for flight. These moments — quiet, delicate, and easily overlooked — re
Bering Sea heat wave cited as trigger for nosedive in Yukon River Chinook salmon
A Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon. (Photo by Michael Humling/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)The intense marine heat wave conditions that began roiling the Bering Sea in about 2016 resulted in the lowest winter sea ice extent measured in 150 years, widespread bird and marine mammal die-offs, a drastic shift in fish populations and a crash of snow crab stocks.Now new research is tying the marine heat wave to the recent collapse of Yukon River Chinook salmon.A study published in April, wr
Tipuk, Tomcod, and Trout: Fishing Coastal Lagoons of Northwest Alaska
Alaska coastal lagoons are among the most overlooked flyfishing waters in the state, tucked into remote stretches of Alaska’s Chukchi Sea coast. Here’s what happened when a 12-day research trip turned into an unforgettable stretch of flyfishing.Story by Kevin FraleyFly Fishing on a river flowing into a northwest Alaska coastal lagoon. In clear water conditions like this, angling is more successful than netting for capturing fish for study. Photo: Kevin Fraley/WCS. “There’s no chance
Valdez Softball Team places Second in 4th of July Tournament
By Meta Hughes – What an incredible July 4th weekend for softball in Valdez! Thirteen teams from across Alaska and Canada traveled to compete in the annual Valdez July Magic Softball Tournament, bringing great competition and exciting games all weekend long.Tournament Results: 1st Place: Dirt Devils (C League) – Mat-Su 2nd Place: Inglorious Batters (E League) – Valdez 3rd Place: Wild Ones (D League) – FairbanksThe championship round delivered one of the most memorable games in tournament h
Trump guts election commission in move seen as increasing his sway over midterms
A mail-in ballot dropbox on P Street Northwest in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s latest shot in a relentless war on how elections are conducted has triggered enormous concern among voting rights activists.As of Thursday night, the U.S Election Assistance Commission has no members. The White House in an email dismissed Democrats Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland. Republican Christy McCormick resigned, and
Alaska DOT&PF and AMHS Seek Public Review of Winter 2026/27 Ferry Schedule
(JUNEAU, Alaska) – The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) 2026/27 Winter Schedule is now available for review and public comment. The draft schedule covers regional sailings from October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.The proposed schedule and supporting documentation can be found online at: dot.alaska.gov/amhs/doc/winter_considerations_2026-2027.pdfHow to Submit Comments The public is encouraged to provide written comments by 5:00 p.m. AKST on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.Email: dot.amhs.comments
Destination Valdez seeking letters of interest for Board of Directors
Time capsule: Mosquito molestation motivates minor migrations
Ned Rozell and his dog Jane pause on their 1997 hike along the length of the trans-Alaska pipeline. Photo courtesy of Ned RozellBy Ned RozellNote: Ned Rozell wrote this time capsule article on July 2, 1997, about three years after he was hired as the regular Alaska Science Forum author. Readers who have followed Ned for some time may also recognize 1997 as the year he first walked the trans-Alaska pipeline with his trusty brown Lab, a journey chronicled in his book “Walking My Dog, Jane.” Fast-f
Island Screwdriver
We made these Island Screwdrivers on the Big Island and they followed us home to our own bar cart. Honestly, they’re the easiest souvenir we’ve ever brought back. No suitcase space required, no worrying about it breaking on the flight, just good memories any time we want them. The Island Screwdriver is about as simple...The post Island Screwdriver appeared first on Little House Big Alaska.
Alaska governor vetoes new limits on political donations
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Thursday, July 9, 2026. (James Brooks photo/Alaska Beacon)Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have reimposed limits on the amount of money that individual people can donate to political candidates. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Alaska’s prior limits in 2021, and the Dunleavy administration declined to appeal the decision. Alaska has been without limits on political contributions since then.At the time of the court
Christian Pulisic to be sidelined weeks after suffering right leg fracture in USMNT’s loss to Belgium
United States men’s national team winger Christian Pulisic is expected to miss several weeks after suffering a fracture to his right leg, U.S. Soccer confirmed on Thursday.Diagnostic imaging including an X-ray and an MRI conducted on Tuesday revealed that the American captain sustained both a bone bruise and a microfracture to his tibia and fibula, injuries sustained during the United States’ 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium on Monday at Seattle Stadium.The incident took place in the
Karolina Muchova defeats Coco Gauff to advance to first Wimbledon final
Karolina Muchova survived a dramatic final-set tiebreak to produce one of Wimbledon’s most memorable performances on Thursday, rallying past Coco Gauff 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (12-10) in their semifinal match to advance to her first championship match at the All England Club on Saturday. The 10th seeded Czech outlasted the seventh-seeded American in a grueling battle that lasted two hours and 35 minutes. With temperatures reaching 91 degrees Fahrenheit, Muchova battled visible exhaustion and abdomin
Eric Church expands access to sold-out Red Rocks concerts with global livestream
Eric Church will give fans around the world a chance to watch his sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheatre performances on July 14, 15 and 16 through a live pay-per-view broadcast – extending access to one of the most anticipated events on his concert calendar. The announcement comes after tickets for the Colorado shows were quickly claimed, continuing Church’s strong demand at the iconic venue.The livestream will cover all three Red Rocks performances, with each night built around a different mus
Shinedown debuts on country airplay charts with their hit song ‘Searchlight’
Shinedown has officially crossed into the country music landscape, scoring its very first appearance on a Billboard country chart after nearly 25 years of success on rock formats. The Florida-based quartet debuted at No. 54 on the Country Airplay chart with their single “Searchlight,” a track taken from their eighth studio album titled EI8HT. According to tracking data from Luminate, the crossover milestone was propelled by accumulation of 980,000 radio audience impressions during its tracking w
Bonnie Tyler, voice behind ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart,’ dies at 75
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, whose unmistakable raspy vocals helped define some of the biggest pop-rock anthems of the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 75. Her family announced that Tyler died unexpectedly at a hospital in Faro, Portugal, where she had been receiving treatment for complications from a serious illness. The singer had undergone emergency intestinal surgery earlier this year and, after spending time in a medically induced coma, remained in intensive care before her condition u
U2’s ‘Street of Dreams’ featured in new short film starring David Beckham
U2’s newly released song, “Street of Dreams,” has taken on a second role beyond the band’s upcoming album, serving as the centerpiece of a new short film featuring Sir David Beckham.Released by Bank of America in conjunction with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the film follows a young girl whose dream of playing soccer endures despite the challenges of homelessness, highlighting themes of resilience, hope and the life-changing impact of sport.Beckham appears throughout the film as a guiding presence e