WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- Seven Alaska native and conservation groups submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy. The letter expressed concern that changes to the National Environmental Policy Act will jeopardize rural communities, small businesses and subsistence resources in Alaska. The letter states that for large-scale projects in Alaska, the federal review processes provide clarity, transparency and certainty for all parties. The organizations believe that the administ  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The Akutan's Tribal Transportation Program, Alaska, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation emphasizing the urgent need for sustained investment in surface transportation to support Tribal and rural communities. The letter outlines several policy priorities aimed at enhancing existing transportation programs and ensuring they effectively meet the evolving needs of these areas. The organization highlighted the importance of recovering  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 20 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report: * * * Alaska Job Openings and Labor Turnover -- June 2025 * Alaska had 18,000 job openings in June 2025, compared to 15,000 openings in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the job openings rate in Alaska was 5.0 percent in June and 4.3 perc  more

PORTLAND, Oregon, Aug. 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Aug. 22, 2025: * * * Alaska Resident Found Guilty of Wire Fraud A federal jury in Portland found Peter Igwacho, 64, a Cameroonian national residing in Anchorage, Alaska, guilty Thursday for wire fraud. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between April 2020 and October 2021, during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Igwacho filed at least five frau  more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 20 (TNSjou) -- Southern Methodist University issued the following news: * * * An Alaskan volcano could help SMU scientists understand why 'stealthy' volcanoes erupt without warning Scientists are figuring out what lies beneath those quiet threats -- volcanoes that don't give any notice before erupting. * Some volcanoes don't give much -- or any -- warning before they blow. Veniaminof, Alaska, is one of them: it is a "stealthy" volcano, which doesn't show the traditional   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The Samoan Indigenous Native Agency, alongside the Native Samoan Corp., has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management urging an immediate withdrawal of the Request for Information and Interest concerning commercial leasing for Outer Continental Shelf minerals offshore American Samoa. This call reflects the collective concerns of over 4,800 Native Samoan community members, primarily residing in Alaska, who fear for their cultural heritage an  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis posted the following commentary on Aug. 19, 2025: * * * Russia Sanctions -- Remove or Improve The effectiveness of Western sanctions is declining, leaving Europe with some very difficult choices. By Alexander Kolyandr Nearly a month has passed since US President Donald Trump threatened Russia with harsh sanctions for buyers of its oil. There has been very little movement since. In a series of interviews after the end of the Al  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis posted the following commentary on Aug. 19, 2025: * * * What is Next for Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia? Security guarantees, demands of annexation in Donbas, and sanctions on Russia. What do the recent summits with the US, Russia, and Ukraine mean for peace negotiations? By Kurt Volker and Michael Newton Discussions about ending Russia's war in Ukraine began with a summit on Friday, August 15, in Anchorage, Alaska, bet  more

HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The Consumer Energy Alliance issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2025: * * * Predictable Gulf of America, Alaska Offshore Leasing Sales Major Win for Families, Small Businesses and U.S. Economy * BOEM schedules at least 30 non-discretionary lease sales through 2040 * First Gulf of America sale slated for Dec. 10, 2025 * WASHINGTON - Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, today applauded  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 19 [Category: Environment] -- Earthjustice posted the following news release: * * * Earthjustice Responds to Trump Plan to Hold Offshore Oil Sales Through 2040 * Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Trump Administration announced a new schedule to hold 30 offshore oil-and-gas sales in the Gulf of Mexico through 2040, and six sales in Alaska's Cook Inlet. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cited the recently passed budget reconciliation bill in the the announcement,   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news: * * * How Alaska taxpayers are saving $3,485 thanks to Nick Begich * Alaska taxpayers will save $3,485 on average thanks to Representative Nick Begich's Working Family Tax Cuts. A new Tax Foundation report found Alaska taxpayers will save big, thanks to expanded child tax credits, pro-business policies and No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime and a tax cut on Social Security. But Alaska Democr  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news: * * * ICYMI: Congressman Nick Begich is Working with President Trump to Deliver Huge Wins for Alaska * Congressman Nick Begich and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy penned an op-ed highlighting how Alaska is once again building with support from the Trump Administration "after four years of Beltway bureaucrats blocking big beautiful business opportunities in the north." Congressman Nick B  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The National Ocean Industries Association issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2025: * * * Interior Department Sets Offshore Energy Leasing Schedule A predictable leasing schedule means more investment, more jobs, and stronger U.S. energy security. * National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior released its offshore leasing schedule under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the following news release: * * * Interior Department Sets Offshore Energy Leasing Schedule Under One Big Beautiful Bill Act * WASHINGTON -- The Department of the Interior is rolling out a long-term schedule for offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of America and Alaska's Cook Inlet, as directed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). By committing to a predictable sale schedule, the Department is delivering on Pre  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Marine Mammal Commission, Bethesda, Maryland, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) expressing concerns about the agency's approach to the authorization of Narwhal LLC's proposed incidental take of polar bears and walruses. This proposed taking is associated with shallow hazard surveys, exploratory drilling operations, and cleanup tasks in West Harrison Bay, Alaska. The Commission highlighted significant issues regarding the  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Marine Mammal Commission, Bethesda, Maryland, has issued a public comment letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) addressing potential impacts of the proposed Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities by 8 Star Alaska, LLC (8 Star AK). This project aims to take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment incidental to construction activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over a five-year period, from January 2026 to December 2030. The Commission's concer  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- Arizona State University McCain Institute issued the following news: * * * McCain Institute Engages in High-Profile Media Assessments of Diplomacy to End Russia's War of Aggression Against Ukraine In the context of the U.S diplomatic drive to end Russia's war in Ukraine, the McCain Institute found itself soberly reminding the world of Senator John McCain's famous words: "I looked in Mr. Putin's eyes and I saw three letters - a K, a G, and a B." Last week's red-carpet m  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Murphy on Meet the Press: What a Great Day for Russia * WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined NBC's Meet the Press with Kristen Welker to discuss President Trump's disastrous Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Murphy slammed Trump's weak leadership and failure to secure any concessions from Putin after legitimizing the war criminal on the intern  more

PLANO, Texas, Aug. 22 [Category: Sociological] -- The First Liberty Institute, an organization that says it is dedicated to defending liberty for all Americans, issued the following news release: * * * Ninth Circuit Hears Oral Argument on Behalf of Flight Attendants Fired for Their Faith * San Francisco, CA --Today, First Liberty Institute presented oral argument at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on behalf of two flight attendants, Lacey Smith and Marli Brown, who were wrong  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: * * * Improved eDNA Primer Enhances Rockfish Species Identification in Alaska A new rockfish-specific genetic tool supports more detailed monitoring of rockfish assemblages. * A groundbreaking new environmental DNA (eDNA) tool is set to transform how scientists monitor rockfish populations. Rockfish are important to both commercial and recreational fisheries in Alaska. By analyzing DNA coll  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, Aug. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: * * * Northern Edge 2025 kicks off across Alaska * EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- More than 6,400 service members, 100 aircraft, and 7 U.S. and Canadian vessels began participation in exercise Northern Edge 2025, a joint field-training exercise at various locations in-and-around Alaska, on Aug. 17. Previous U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Prince Webb, an Electronic Attack   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following news story: * * * Northern Edge 2025 kicks off across Alaska * EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- More than 6,400 service members, 100 aircraft, and 7 U.S. and Canadian vessels began participation in exercise Northern Edge 2025, a joint field-training exercise at various locations in-and-around Alaska, on Aug. 17. Download Previous U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Prince Webb, an Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-132) aviation str  more

EIELSON AFB, Alaska, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Navy's U.S. Fleet Forces Command issued the following news: * * * Northern Edge 2025 kicks off across Alaska By Staff Sgt. Dustin Braaten, 51st Fighter Wing More than 6,400 service members, 100 aircraft, and 7 U.S. and Canadian vessels began participation in exercise Northern Edge 2025, a joint field-training exercise at various locations in-and-around Alaska, on Aug. 17 NE25 is an exercise led by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command that serves as a platform f  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Navy's U.S. Fleet Forces Command issued the following news: * * * Northern Edge 2025 kicks off across Alaska NE25 is an exercise led by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command that serves as a platform for joint, multi-domain operations to deliver high-end, realistic warfighter training, strengthen joint interoperability, and sharpen the air and sea-based combat readiness of U.S. and participating forces. "Northern Edge 2025 brings together multi-domain capabilities in hig  more

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Pacific Air Forces issued the following news: * * * Northern Edge 2025 Kicks Off Across Alaska By Air Force Staff Sgt. Dustin Braaten More than 6,400 service members, 100 aircraft and seven U.S. and Canadian vessels are participating in Northern Edge 2025, a joint field-training exercise taking place at various locations in and around Alaska. The exercise, led by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, serves as a platform for joint, multidoma  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * On National Radio Day, DSCC Launches New Rural Radio Ad Slamming Senate Republicans for Cutting Rural Radio Funding * On National Radio Day, the DSCC is airing a new rural radio ad campaign in battleground states slamming Senate Republicans for slashing rural radio funding, a move that threatens to eliminate life-saving weather alerts, local news, and a critical way for rural communit  more

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Aug. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2025: * * * Oregon man charged with administering "Rapper Bot" DDoS-for-hire Botnet Rapper Bot allegedly administered large-scale DDoS-for-hire attacks averaging 2-3 Terabits in size, targeting victims in over 80 countries. * ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An Oregon man was charged by a federal criminal complaint today in the District of Alaska on charges related to hi  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 19 -- Oxfam America issued the following news release: * * * Oxfam Reaction to Alaska Summit The United States and Russian administrations met yesterday in Alaska to discuss a ceasefire and the parameters of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. In reaction to this summit, Oxfam Ukraine Response Director Nicola Bay said: "No decision about an end to this war can be legitimate without Ukrainian voices at the center. What Ukrainians need is just and lasting   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release: * * * SBA Offers Relief to Alaska Businesses and Private Nonprofits Economically Affected by the Bear Creek Fire Group and Nenana Ridge Complex Fire * WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Alaska who sustained economic   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: * * * Sharpening the Arctic Edge * Training in the Arctic means braving freezing winds, icy seas and rugged terrain. But for soldiers assigned to the 3rd Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) it's just another day in the life. A joint force team of soldiers, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, to complete training in some of the world's harshest conditions from July 31 to August  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 [Category: Environment] -- The Sierra Club posted the following news release: * * * Sierra Club Statement on OBBBA Lease Sale Announcements * WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of the Interior unveiled a fresh slate of oil and gas lease sales on fragile public lands and waters. In a press release Tuesday, Interior announced a schedule of at least 30 offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf and Alaska's Cook Inlet, as mandated by the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act. The   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard issued the following news: * * * SITREP on improving Coast Guard housing, CDCs and other facilities * The Coast Guard is constantly evolving, and so are the infrastructure needs that support our vital missions. Earlier this month, the Coast Guard commissioned the Nemetz Family Housing Kodiak, Alaska. That's just one of many projects happening on the shore infrastructure front. Get ready for an inside look at the work  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following transcript of an interview by Secretary Marco Rubio with Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business Sunday Morning Futures: * * * QUESTION: Joining me now is the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was also on the trip to Alaska with President Trump and who will be there tomorrow with President Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House. Mr. Secretary, thanks so much for joining us this morning. SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you. Thanks for  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Sullivan on Face the Nation: Alaska is the Center of America's Security, Energy, and Arctic Future * ANCHORAGE, ALASKA --U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) joined CBS's Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan discussing last week's summit in Alaska between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Senator Sullivan underscored Alaska's central role in America's national security, th  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: * * * Temporary Barriers Prove Effective During Glacial Flooding in Alaska * Last week, Alaska's Mendenhall Glacier released its yearly glacier lake outburst flood, flowing downstream toward Juneau. In preparation for the potential threat to infrastructure and public safety, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided temporary flood mitigation barriers to the city last winter. While USACE continues to prepare a  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2025: Westerman Applauds New Offshore Leasing Schedule This week, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the long-term schedule for offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of America and Alaska's Cook Inlet, in accordance with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) is  more