Algal toxins new concern in Alaska

More than 2,100 personnel from the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore are now in action during the Red Flag-Alaska air combat exercise.

The forces operate out of Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and conduct operations at the 120,000-square-meter Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex.

"This iteration focuses on strengthening partnerships by practicing operations together to improve response capabilities," says Air Force Maj. Gregory Guiney, assistant director of operations for the 354th Operations Group Detachment 1.

The exercise began on May 28 and will continue until June 12.

In the US midterm elections this autumn, Dan J. Sullivan is running as the Republican challenger to incumbent Alaska Senator Dan. S. Sullivan.

Alaska Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (R) has now launched an investigation into whether Sullivan is running to confuse voters, writes Alaska Public Media. He has been asked to answer several questions about his name, his history with the Republican Party, and any interactions with Democrats.

Senator Sullivan and his Republican allies have alleged that the challenger is colluding with Democrats to help their candidate for Senate, Mary Peltola.

Mary Peltola’s campaign and the Alaska Democratic Party have publicly denied any affiliation with Dan J. Sullivan, and he has denied colluding with them.

On Thursday, the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies and the Office of the Governor of Alaska signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the Governor of Alaska as the State of Alaska Chair to the Center.

Under the agreement, Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) will serve as the chair for the remainder of his term in office.

The MoU establishes a framework for continued engagement between the Center and the State of Alaska on issues affecting the Arctic region. Through the Arctic Chair position, the Governor will provide strategic perspectives on emerging Arctic opportunities and challenges while helping foster collaboration among federal, state, local, Indigenous, academic, and international partners.

“Alaska is at the forefront of the opportunities and challenges that will define the future of the Arctic. This partnership with the Ted Stevens Center ensures that Alaska’s voice, our knowledge, and our priorities are at the table as our nation addresses the growing strategic importance of the Arctic,” says Dunleavy.

The Alaska State Senate has passed HB 78, legislation to restore a defined benefit retirement system, by a 12–8 vote.

After nearly two decades of advocacy, this vote marks a significant milestone for public employees across the state.

"For too long, the lack of a stable, secure retirement has made it harder to keep experienced educators in our classrooms and attract new ones to our state", NEA-Alaska states in a post on Facebook.

NEA-Alaska is an affiliate of the National Education Association.

The bill will reinstate a pension system for state and local government employees in Alaska.

On Thursday this week, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that the first two Arctic Security Cutters will be homeported in the State of Alaska.

"Anticipating delivery of the first Arctic Security Cutters by the end of 2028, the Coast Guard has begun planning to ensure necessary infrastructure and support are in place to receive two icebreakers. Ensuring these vessels are supported by trained and ready crews, and ready homeport facilities including housing, will be essential to delivering full, enduring operational capability required to meet emerging Arctic security challenges," a press release from the USCG reads.

“Homeporting Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska underscores the United States’ leadership as a maritime power in the Arctic,” said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard.

“By strategically positioning these state-of-the-art icebreakers in Alaska, the Coast Guard will maximize our ability to defend our northern border and approaches, while reinforcing America’s maritime dominance in a crucial region of strategic importance," Lunday added.

The homeporting of the first two Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska builds on the historic expansion of the Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet and underscores an unprecedented investment in the Arctic, the press release states.

The announcement is furthermore described as a national milestone in U.S. Arctic capability, following contract awards for up to 11 Arctic Security Cutters.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) has nominated Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) as the new Commissioner of the United States Arctic Research Commission (USARC).

The Commission is an independent federal agency that advises the President and Congress on U.S. research activities in the Arctic.

"The Commission is pleased to welcome Governor Dunleavy," said Thomas E. Dans, Director of USARC, in a press release.

He added that Alaska plays a central role in the nation's Arctic research efforts.

"The Governor's perspective and experience will contribute to the Commission's work to advise the President and Congress on Arctic research priorities and promote collaboration between the federal government, the State of Alaska, and Arctic communities."

At the same time, USARC thanks outgoing Commissioner Deborah Vo for her work in advancing Arctic research priorities and engaging with Arctic communities.

This Saturday, a crowd gathered in Anchorage to demonstrate against Donald Trump and many of his administration's policies.

This was reported by Anchorage Daily News.

The demonstration included speeches and music before the crowd marched against the president.

The demonstration was a part of a nationwide protest called "No Kings". This is the third time 'No Kings' protests have been organized around the US.

Mushers competing in this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race departed from Willow Lake early Sunday afternoon, embarking on their 975-mile journey to Nome, writes Anchorage Daily News.

This year’s field includes 37 teams, including four previous champions, 14 rookies and three mushers participating in the event’s inaugural Expedition Class.

One of the mushers participating in the Expedition Class is Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke, who has pledged more than $300,000 to support the Iditarod 2026.

Alaska experienced its eighth warmest year on record in 2025, Alaska Public Media reports.

A new research report finds that warming was particularly pronounced in the northern part of the state. Utqiaġvik had the highest temperature anomalies, about 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.

The report points to shrinking sea ice as a key finding. Alaska's sea ice reached its annual maximum in March at just over 5.5 million square miles - the lowest ice maximum recorded in 47 years.

"It's still a large area, but less than in any year previously observed. We are on track to an ice-free Arctic later this century," researcher Falk Stuefer told the newspaper.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked Russian aircrafts operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on February 19, the command informs in a press release.

The Russian aircrafts were two Tu-95s, two Su-35s, and one A-50.

NORAD launched two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3, and four KC-135s to intercept, positively identify, and escort the aircraft until they departed the Alaskan ADIZ.

"The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," NORAD states in the press release.