From our incredible D.C. Bureau, a look back at the historic year that was 2025. @jennifershutt.bsky.social takes a month-by-month look at the decisions and events that shaped the year. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/depo...

For the @alaskabeacon.com , @yjrosen.bsky.social takes stock of Alaska fisheries in 2025: turmoil, economic and environmental challenges and some bright spots alaskabeacon.com/2025/12/23/a...

“It’s an insane situation,” Stock said. “It shouldn’t be happening. It’s not right. It’s unjust. The state’s at fault, and they shouldn’t be punishing these folks because of errors made by State of Alaska employees.” - Attorney Margaret Stock

The Trump administration has already started planning a new Cook Inlet oil and gas lease sale, the first of six nearly annual sales mandates for the inlet through 2032 under the sweeping budget bill dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. via @alaskabeacon.com

CBS didn't run the 60 Minutes segment on CECOT, but over here at @propublica.org we've been working on the story since March, including finding out who each and every man sent to that maximum security prison was. You can see our reporting here: www.propublica.org/series/depor...

Steves purchased the property to prevent it from closing. Many homeless people had come to depend on the Lynnwood Hygiene Center, which had operated rent-free on the property since 2020. n.pr/3MKbmJH

Alaska Department of Corrections reports record-tying 18 deaths in custody this year, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2025/12/19/a...

Food shortages, tents filled with sewage, and medical neglect are the grim norm at ICE's Fort Bliss detention center. Every new facility that ICE rushes to open is destined to be plagued by the same inhumane conditions unless Congress takes action.

Alaska report describes COVID-19 phases and lessons for future pandemic responses, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2025/12/18/a...

Federal appeals judges allow Trump’s National Guard deployment to D.C., for now, writes Ashley Murray for @statesnewsroom.com alaskabeacon.com/2025/12/17/r...

NEW: Judge blocks Trump administration's attempt to limit lawmakers' access to immigration jails. Advance notice no longer required & detention facilities at field offices are open to Congress. w/ @kyledcheney.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/12...

The CDC is not saying much about this, but it's still extremely serious - almost 2,000 confirmed cases in 43 states to date. The measles virus is highly contagious and spreads through airborne droplets, so consider wearing a mask while traveling, and wash hands. stateline.org/2025/12/17/m...

Dunleavy administration may divert federal oil revenue from North Slope, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2025/12/17/d...

NEW: If you get a call from someone demanding payment saying they are an Alaska State Trooper, police officer, any government official - do not respond. And be sure to talk to your family, neighbors, coworkers about scams - esp older folks who are more targeted alaskabeacon.com/2025/12/16/s...

Alaskans targeted by scammers posing as government officials, FBI warns, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2025/12/16/s...

Disaster aid deadlines extended into 2026 for those affected by Western Alaska storms, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/briefs/disas...

Alaska's worst AI news rip-off site - under the name of a historic newspaper - the Tundra Drums is still up and running, FYI! They scrub stories and press releases with no credit, no context or byline- not credible news! thetundradrums.com

WOW. @haleaziz.bsky.social with a new scoop: ICE now gets a running list of every person who is going to be taking a domestic flight inside the United States from the TSA and runs it through their database looking for targets. This explains the Babson College student's arrest.

Alaska Department of Corrections has reported now 17 deaths in custody this year. That surpasses 14 reported deaths last year, nearing the highest of 18 deaths in 2022. 7 people died, or 40%, unsentenced, only charged and waiting for trial. doc.alaska.gov/newsroom

I had a request from someone whose family member is incarcerated in Alaska and doesn't have access to email. If you'd like to write me, particularly about parole, my address is: Corinne Smith PO Box 20364 Juneau, AK 99802-0364 (Photo from the Juneau library for visibility)

“Because I hunt for my family, and that’s basically saying that I can’t hunt for my kids,” she said, her voice breaking. “So for us to hunt females, it’s not what we want to do, but if we have no choice, we will.”

From KYUK: The Lower Kuskokwim School District Superintendent Andrew Anderson, who has been essential leadership through the mass displacement of students after Typhoon Halong, is stepping down in June 2026. www.kyuk.org/education/20...

Interesting. "In 2024, principals left schools at a higher rate than teachers in communities outside of cities. But the opposite is true for urban schools, where about 30% of teachers left as opposed to 21% of principals."

Several Mt. Edgecumbe High School alumni, as well as current and former staff, said that budget and staffing cuts over the past year were putting students at risk.

The closure of one of the largest U.S. library book wholesalers has disrupted the flow of new books to libraries around the country, including the Anchorage Public Library. Wait times have increased for new releases.

Hepatitis B, once rampant in Indigenous villages, has been brought under control in Alaska, but a CDC advisory committee voted to drop the vaccine recommendation for newborns. via @alaskabeacon.com

Some good news for Alaska!

the mental health crisis at mt. edgecumbe high school made the paper today 8 students were admitted to our hospital in november for suicidal ideation—4 of them intentionally overdosed on medication the administration then said that “seven students over a two-week period was not a huge number” 😡

Alaska's proposal is briefly mentioned here, and among many items there is one that includes integrating some Indigenous traditional healing practices into village clinic services. Here's the proposal: health.alaska.gov/media/chikqo...

AK lawmaker questions legality of National Guard-ICE aid: Operating under ‘loophole,’ National Guard may be exempt from law violation 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3uc5cjnw 

there’s calls being made and a good discussion going on in our community fb group breaks my heart… those kids actively planning to end their lives when they have so much life ahead of them we’re all putting our heads together to see what we can do

Alaska senators respond to war crimes allegations against Defense Secretary Hegseth 👉 https://tinyurl.com/5x63xbpc 

At the State Board of Education meeting today, several speakers shared emotional testimony that Mt Edgecumbe HS is in a mental health and safety crisis. They say due to staff + budget cuts, there's a gap in mental health care, cultural activities, and a degrading quality of life. 1/

NEW: Dunleavy has approved a request the Alaska National Guard assist ICE in Anchorage with "administrative support," but lawmakers and civil rights advocates worry that the move signals a ramping up of immigration enforcement operations in Alaska. alaskabeacon.com/2025/12/02/g...

Gov. Dunleavy approves Alaska National Guard assisting ICE in Anchorage, reports Corinne Smith for the @alaskabeacon.com

Terrible. "It’s a ticking time bomb at the end of the day that this is going to happen to a woman,” she said. “It’s really up to the leadership team and even safety professionals to treat this like a workplace hazard." 19thnews.org/2025/11/ambe...

This is huge for Skagway, and for the movement to reckon with Alaska's Native boarding schools - the history, legacy and harms done not only to that generation of children and families - in this case, the 27 yrs the Pius X Mission school was running - but generations after. khns.org/i-wont-let-u...

Alaska state utility regulators approve secrecy orders for billionaire’s takeover of GCI, reports James Brooks for the @alaskabeacon.com

The Anchorage School District plans to institute a hiring freeze starting Dec. 1 that would extend through the end of the school year.

"Both the district and the union have agreed to most articles included in the contract. The major unresolved differences are centered around pay scales and health care." www.adn.com/alaska-news/...

The Alaska State Board of Education has a special meeting next Weds, Dec 3 @ 12pm, I'll be tuning in for the update on students displaced by Typhoon Halong + updates on regs to be cut under AO 360 - also interested in why the Alaska Bible College is presenting... education.alaska.gov/State_Board/...

State biologists forecast a strong but not exceptional 2026 Bristol Bay sockeye run, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/briefs/state...

Controversial political website Alaska Landmine faces defamation suit from Alaska state official, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/briefs/contr...

Sen. Sullivan touts ‘Big, Beautiful’ budget bill as bonanza for Alaska, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2025/11/25/s...

NEW: State officials announced a "draw down" or most emergency crews supporting the Typhoon Halong relief effort in Western Alaska will be departing the region, as winter sets in. alaskabeacon.com/2025/11/25/d...

Disaster relief crews begin to depart Western Alaska as winter sets in, officials say, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2025/11/25/d...

KYUK plays a singular role in the media landscape of the United States. over the coming weeks, we'll go from 10 full time staff down to 4. this is my last week at KYUK. listen here →

Fishermen caught more than $40 million worth of salmon across all species in both Upper and Lower Cook Inlet, according to preliminary harvest data released earlier this month. #KPBorough www.kdll.org/local-news/2...

Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest rebounds after ultra-low harvest last year, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alask...

This is a big story, and it's going to get bigger in coming years ... the Coast Guard has funding for eight new icebreakers and plans for even more. Many may be based in Alaska, and ports across the state are likely to be expanded as a result. #akleg #Alaska