WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: * * * 325th Fighter Wing leads the way during Red Flag-Alaska 25-3 * TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The 325th Fighter Wing "Checkertails" recently deployed Airmen and F-35A Lightning II aircraft to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, to serve as the lead wing during exercise Red Fag-Alaska 25-3, July 17 to Aug. 1.  The deployment marks the wing's first participation in an exercise outside the continental United State more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) advocating for the inclusion of Alaska's Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region in the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The department specifically urged the federal agency to include lease sales in the Cook Inlet, Beaufort Sea, and Chukchi Sea planning areas, and provided recommendations to improve participation and responsible dev more ST

WASHINGTON, July 15 -- The Alaska Telecom Association has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior, urging the federal agency to reform its permitting processes to expedite broadband deployment across Alaska. The association emphasizes the state's ongoing struggle with limited broadband access, which hinders connectivity for its residents. "Alaska desperately needs broadband infrastructure," stated Christine O'Connor, Executive Director of the Alaska Telecom Asso more ST

WASHINGTON, July 18 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service has posted a public notice regarding Narwhal LLC's planned activities in West Harrison Bay, Alaska. This notice addresses potential interactions between the company's operations and protected marine mammals: polar bears and Pacific walruses. The Federal Register information analyzes impacts from aircraft and underwater sounds. Aircraft overflights while unlikely to cause hearing shifts can elicit behavi more PR

WASHINGTON, July 19 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairwoman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on July 18, 2025: * * * COMMITTEE EXAMINES NOMINEE FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INDIAN AFFAIRS U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led a nomination hearing to consider President's Trump's nominee, Mr. William "Billy" Kirkland, to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs within the Department of the In more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- Rep. Nicholas J. Begich III, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Begich Statement on House Passage of GENIUS Act * WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 17, 2025 - Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Generating Essential National Infrastructure for Universal Stability (GENIUS) Act: "Today, the House took an historic step toward cementing America's leadership in the future of finance  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Nicholas J. Begich III, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Nick Begich's First Two Bills Signed Into Law * Delivering Major Wins for Alaska Native Communities WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 14, 2025 - Congressman Nick Begich (AK-R) announced that his first two pieces of legislation, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act (link is external) and the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 (link is external) ha more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 [Category: Environment] -- The Wilderness Society posted the following news release: * * * ConocoPhillips pursues reckless exploration in Western Arctic * Oil giant ConocoPhillips today filed applications with the federal Bureau of Land Management for permission to drill four new test wells and conduct seismic studies to search for oil near the company's massive Willow project in the Western Arctic's National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. If approved, the work could begin d more PR

SAN FRANCISCO, California, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report: * * * Consumer Price Index, Anchorage area -- June 2025 * The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for Urban Alaska advanced 0.1 percent for the two months ending in June 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the index for all items less fo more PR

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, has launched a competitive grant program aimed at enhancing small water storage and groundwater storage projects. Under the Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Program (Small Storage Program), eligible applicants-joint powers authorities organized pursuant to state law-can request cost-shared funding for planning, design, and construction of projects that contribute to sustainable water managem more ST

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The U.S. Department of Education, through its Office of Postsecondary Education, has announced the availability of funding for the Higher Education Programs (HEP): Institutional Service - Alaska Native-Serving Institutions Program (Part A). This program aims to enhance educational opportunities and resources for colleges and universities that primarily serve Alaska Native students. As part of its commitment to promoting equitable access to higher education, the Department more ST

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education has issued a notice entitled "Applications for Awards; Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program, Part A." This public announcement invites applications for funding for fiscal year 2025 under this important program. The program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to help them improve and expand their ability to serve Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian st more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration has issued a rule (Docket No. FAA-2024-2679) entitled "Revocation of Colored Federal Airway Green 6 (G-6) and Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal Airways V-459 and V-496 in Alaska." This action will revoke Colored Federal Airway Green 6 and Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal Airways V-459 and V-496, all located in Alaska. The reason for this rule is t more PR

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation expressing significant concerns about the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) proposed changes to Class E airspace in Alaska. The letter emphasizes the unique challenges faced by general aviation in the state, which heavily relies on air travel for access to remote communities. In its commentary, AOPA highlights the critical role of general  more ST

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 16-271) on July 16, 2025: * * * By this Public Notice, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) approves the revised performance plan of GCI Communication Corp. (GCI), filed pursuant to the terms set forth in the Alaska Plan Order./1 The approved performance plan is included in the attached Appendix A. The Alaska Plan Order requires eligible s more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: * * * First Bowhead Whale Sighting in Southeast Alaska * A new scientific paper discusses the first NOAA Fisheries record of a bowhead whale in Southeast Alaska. It is only the second documented sighting of this Arctic species in the eastern North Pacific, south of the Aleutian Islands. The whale was observed by a team of scientists working in Sitka Sound in March 2024. "This sighting is i more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- Free Press, an advocacy group that is part of the media reform or media democracy movement, issued the following news release: * * * Senate Republicans Gut Funding for NPR and PBS Stations Following Contentious Vote on Trump Rescission Package Early Thursday morning, a Senate Republican majority voted to accept President Donald Trump's recommendation to strike $9 billion from the previously approved federal budget. The measures passed the Senate 51-48 as members voted  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Begich Caught Red-Handed in Lies on Big, Ugly Bill * As Alaskan Rep. Nick Begich shamelessly touts his vote for the Big, Ugly Bill which will rip health care away from nearly 40,000 people and threaten food access for almost 40,000 Alaskan households - he was held accountable for his lies in a disastrous CNN interview. CNN called out how Begich's tax scam creates massive t more PR

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news: * * * ICYMI: Nick Begich Delivers Huge Wins for Alaska * Congressman Nick Begich penned an op-ed highlighting the wins wins he secured for Alaska in the One Big, Beautiful Bill. With Nick Begich's leadership, the law: * Unlocks Alaska's natural resources * Strengthen and protects Medicaid for Alaska's most vulnerable communities * Secures our border to protect Alaska communities *  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the following news release: * * * Interior Finalizes Major Alaskan Land Transfer to NANA Regional Corporation * ANCHORAGE -- The Department of the Interior today announced the conveyance of nearly 28,000 acres of land to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., under Section 12(c) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, or ANCSA, bringing the total conveyed to NANA to more than 713,000 acres. This marks a significant milestone in  more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, July 15 -- Michigan State University issued the following news: * * * Ask the expert: What's at risk for arctic wildlife if oil drilling expands in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska spans nearly 23 million acres of treeless plains, meandering rivers and lush wetlands while providing a home to caribou, millions of migratory birds, polar bears and Indigenous communities whose lives are intertwined with its resources. Howeve more PR

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Murkowski Helps Advance First Four Spending Bills with Alaska Wins Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, voted to advance four bills for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) that contain significant investments for Alaska. The four appropriations bills that passed committee are for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Murkowski Speaks Out on Rescission Package * Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement following the passage of the rescissions package late Wednesday evening: "I voted against approving this rescissions package for three key reasons. "First, it is still unclear how specific accounts within the areas targeted for rescission will be impacted. Neither th more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Murkowski, Colleagues Advocate for Critical Education Funding * Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined her colleagues in a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Russell Vought, asking him to faithfully implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, and release the funds. The legislation included funding for Supporting Ef more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news: * * * Nick Begich Once Again Delivers Real Results for Alaskans * Yesterday, Congressman Nick Begich delivered another big win, unanimously passing legislation that extends the time period for which an Alaska-native veteran can apply for a land allotment under the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program. This is another common sense result for Alaskans, building on the "One B more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news: * * * Nick Begich Posts Massive, Record Breaking Q2 Fundraising Haul * Republican Nick Begich just announced that hiscampaign brought in a massive fundraising haul of over $800k in Q2, setting a new record for off-year fundraising by any U.S. House candidate or incumbent in Alaska history. Nick Begich has been hard at work fighting to secure the border, lower taxes, and cut costs. It's no surp more PR

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, July 18 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: * * * NOAA teams up with Alaskans to create a new tool to predict ice breakup Ice forecasts would boost public safety, subsistence fishing, hunting, transportation and commerce * NOAA has joined with the Native Village of Kotzebue, Alaska, to create a new forecast model that will help predict the spring ice breakup on a major lake outside the village. Hotham Inlet, known loca more PR

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding proposed modifications to nationwide permits set for reissuance in 2026. Through this letter, PCSGA seeks clarity in the regulations governing commercial shellfish mariculture activities, particularly regarding Nationwide Permit 48, which covers such activities. PCSGA, which represents shellfish growers from Alaska to Hawaii, articula more ST

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- Rep. Nicholas J. Begich, R-Alaska, issued the following floor remarks on July 14, 2025 (In this document, the reference to Mr. Speaker refers to the presiding officer of the House at the time of the speech): * * * Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 410, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025. This bill extends the application period for the Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans land allotment program by 5 years, ensuring that el more PR

WASHINGTON, July 18 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service has issued a public notice announcing funding availability for its Native Community Development Financial Institution Relending Demonstration Program for fiscal year 2025. This initiative seeks to boost homeownership opportunities for native American tribes, Alaska native communities and native Hawaiian communities residing in rural areas. The program involves direct loans from the Rural Housing Service to q more PR

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- SalmonState has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior regarding its Regulatory Reform Request for Information (RFI). In the letter, SalmonState emphasizes that Alaska's federal public lands are crucial for maintaining the state's unique character, as they support the tourism industry and are vital for commercial salmon fishing and food security for Alaskans. The organization argues that any efforts to deregulate or expedite the permittin more ST

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: * * * US, Australian C-17s spearhead multinational joint force entry during Talisman Sabre 25 * QUEENSLAND, Australia (AFNS) -- Multiple U.S. Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III s executed a joint force-entry operation into Australia, deploying U.S. Army and international paratroopers in support of Talisman Sabre 25.  Originating from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, the mission spanned  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * VOTE ALERT: Sullivan Votes to Defund Local TV and Radio Stations Alaskans Depend On * In response to Senator Dan Sullivan voting to gut over $1 billion in federal funding that supports Alaska's local TV and radio stations--which provide lifesaving emergency alerts, cover community events, and keep rural Alaskans informed--Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Maeve Coy more PR