www.alaskabookmarks.com - What's up in Alaska? News and interesting links from The Last Frontier

'Senator Sullivan' back on the ballot, awaits Supreme Court ruling Tuesday

The state should stop wasting money on right-wing Colorado attorney Chris Murray to try to keep Petersburg Dan ‘Senator’ Sullivan off the U.S. Senate election ballot, but doing so would be a confession that the Dunleavy administration is not acting in good faith.Superior Court Judge Thomas Mathews issued this decision Friday night that said it is illegal to deny Sullivan a place on the ballot because of his name.The Supreme Court says it will decide an appeal of the case by Tuesday with oral ar

Buff-breasted Sandpiper––an elegant visitor delights observers

By Kate Persons Every spring during migration, I keep a sharp eye out for a special shorebird–the elegant and charismatic buff-breasted sandpiper. In many years “buffys” are not even reported in the region, and sightings are usually of only one or two birds. So it seemed like a buffy bonanza this spring when over 20 of these beautiful sandpipers were reported on eBird after sightings between Safety Sound and the tundra ridges west of Nome. The buff-breasted sandpiper is a beauty. This delicate,

Alaska gasline corp. board member calls lawmakers ‘mosquitoes’ in AKLNG tax cut talks

The entrance to the Alaska Gasline Development Corp.'s Anchorage office is seen on Aug. 11, 2023. The state-owned AGDC is pushing for a massive project that would ship natural gas south from the North Slope, liquefy it and send it on tankers from Cook Inlet to Asian markets. The AGDC proposal is among many that have been raised since the 1970s to try commercialize the North Slope's stranded natural gas. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)A board member with the state-owned Alaska Gasline Devel

An Arctic fishing treaty could be a model for future diplomacy

A young polar bear climbs atop some ice Sept. 13, 2016 in the Chukchi Sea. The bear was spotted by crew members and scientists aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy during a scientific cruise in the Arctic. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher M. Yaw/U.S. Coast Guard)Lately, much of the news about the Arctic has been bleak. The far north is warming three to four times faster than the rest of the planet. Arctic climate change – manifesting in sea ice loss, permafrost thaw and coastal

Governor vetoes Alaska bills on invasive species management, plastic food containers

Ashley Novella, an ecologist with the Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District, removes mewly sprouting chokecherry seedings during a volunteer weed pull on June 17, 2026, along Anchorage's Lanie Fleisher Chester Creek Trail. Chokecherry trees, brought to Alaska as ornamentals, are aggressive invaders and have crowded out natural plants in parts of Anchorage and other communities. The ANchoraeg Soil and Water Conservation District is part of the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership, which a

Prince William Sound Salmon Fishery Announcement #12 & 13

By the Alaska Department of Fish & GameAnnouncement #12ESHAMY DISTRICT: Waters of the Main Bay Subdistrict up to a line of buoys in front of the hatchery barrier seine will open for a 24-hour period starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26. The MBH AGZ will open to DRIFT GILLNET permit holders only during the 24-hour fishing period starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26. PWSAC recommends opening the Main Bay Subdistrict up to a line of buoys in front of the hatchery barrier  seine. PW

States show their stuff: The Great American State Fair opens in D.C.

Attendees sit in the grass in front of the Ferris wheel at the Trump administration's Freedom 250 Great American State Fair on the National Mall on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)WASHINGTON — Visitors from across the United States traveled to the National Mall Thursday for the opening day of the Great American State Fair, a days-long event that is part of President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial.States and territories s

Russin rounds out tenure as school board approves balanced budget for next year

While summer break for Cordova’s kids started over a month ago, the end of June marks the official end of the academic year. Cordova Schools Superintendent Alex Russin is retiring from the Cordova School District at the end of the month after 11 years at the helm. Throughout his time in Cordova he’s had to steer the district through Alaska Reads Act compliance, the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing fiscal uncertainties affecting the district’s annual budget.Russin officially bi

After University of Alaska objects, Dunleavy vetoes bill naming park, research group for Vic Fischer

Vic Fischer, the last surviving author of Alaska's constitution, sits with wife Jane Angvik and listens to U.S. Senate candidates speak at the Oct. 22, 2022, forum at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vetoed a bill naming a state park and a University of Alaska research group after one of the signers of the Alaska Constitution, Vic Fischer.Fischer, who died in 2023, was the last living signer of the constitution at the

Classic Lemonade Syrup

Classic Lemonade Syrup keeps a batch of fresh lemonade just minutes away whenever the weather heats up. Make the syrup once, store it in the refrigerator, and mix up a glass or a whole pitcher whenever the mood strikes. Perfect for those hot summer days and nights when you need a refreshing drink. Or use...The post Classic Lemonade Syrup appeared first on Little House Big Alaska.

GOP dreams of another big budget bill dashed by Trump demands for SAVE America Act

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., amid fog on Dec. 10, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)WASHINGTON — Republicans have one more opportunity to use the complex process they relied on to enact their “big, beautiful” law and provide tens of billions in additional funding for immigration enforcement — a chance that becomes less likely the more divisions over a voter identification bill splinter the party. Debate over a third reconciliation bill has been simmering in the bac

Our large army of little green shield bugs comes and goes

This collection of birch shield bugs at the University of Alaska Museum of the North includes specimens from several decades. Each specimen includes an information tag. Photo by Rod BoyceBy Rod BoyceThe tiny flying green annoyances seemed to be in greater numbers than usual this year in late May and early June.They wouldn’t leave me alone. I even found one sitting on the edge of a toothbrush-holding coffee cup at our house.One day, they persisted in collecting on my four-wheeler’s windshield as

Alaska’s minimum wage set to increase on July 1, thanks to ballot initiative

Fliers posted at the University of Alaska Anchorage's Avis Alaska Sports Complex on June 25, 2026, advertise summer job openings and internships for students. Even though the positions are entry-level, temporary or internships, posted hourly pay rates on some fliers are above $20 an hour. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)Starting next week, Alaska’s lowest-paid workers will be entitled to more money.On July 1, the state’s minimum wage will rise to $14 an hour, a $1 bump from the current leve

Timberwolves acquire LaMelo Ball, Josh Green in blockbuster deal with Hornets

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made one of the NBA offseason’s biggest trades, agreeing to acquire star guard LaMelo Ball and wing Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for forward-center Naz Reid and a substantial package of future draft assets, according to multiple reports Thursday. The deal is pending league approval and cannot be finalized until the NBA’s July moratorium period ends.ESPN’s Shams Charania reported: “The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo

Lions CB Terrion Arnold facing life sentence if convicted in kidnapping, robbery case

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Florida on Wednesday and was booked on multiple felony charges tied to an alleged kidnapping and armed robbery scheme that prosecutors say could carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. The 23-year-old faces four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery following a months-long investigation by the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.According to investigators,

Maren Morris marks 10th anniversary of debut album ‘Hero’ with deluxe reissue

Maren Morris has released a revamped version of her premier studio album to celebrate its ten-year anniversary. The newly expanded collection is titled “HERO: A Second Wind” and honors the decade that has passed since the original record was released.The artist revealed the news on social media to mark the occasion. “HERO is officially 10!” she wrote in an Instagram post, explaining that “to celebrate, i wanted to share a few pieces from this era that never made it

blink-182 confirmed as first headliner for Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park 2027

blink-182 has been revealed as the opening headline performer for the 2027 editions of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park. Promoters broke the news on the introductory evening of the 2026 festival cycle, flashing the update across massive venue monitors amid a fireworks display directly following a set by Papa Roach. The surprise announcement also featured a social media teaser showing the band’s classic rabbit mascot waving a flag displaying the festival’s branding.This booking gives the

Katseye to embark on tour in support of new EP ‘Wild’

Katseye is gearing up for a busy stretch, announcing their headlining ‘The Wildworld Tour’ across the UK, Europe, and North America this fall.After a brief European run in September, the North American leg of the tour kicks off October 13 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, with stops including Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Los Angeles. The final date of the tour will be November 27 in Mexico City at Palacio de los Deportes.The g

Post Malone, Noah Kahan and Shaboozey on lineup for 50th Macy’s Fourth of July Celebration

Post Malone, Noah Kahan and Shaboozey will headline a star-studded lineup for the 50th edition of Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks special, NBC and Macy’s announced Wednesday. Blake Shelton, Bebe Rexha and hip-hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa are also scheduled to perform during the annual Independence Day broadcast, which coincides with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.The two-hour event will air live July 4 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT on NBC and stream on Peacock, with a Spanish-language simulcas