AGP Executive Report

Senate Race: Alaska’s close contest between Sen. Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola drew fresh attention after their final debate turned personal; President Trump campaigned in the state for Republicans as the November vote nears. Energy & Infrastructure: Alaska is seeking suppliers for a $413 million Cook Inlet undersea power cable. Taiwan says it plans to invest up to $4.4 billion in the proposed Alaska LNG project and buy its gas, though larger figures touted by Trump remain unfinalized. Winter Readiness: Utilities warn severe cold could bring rolling outages if natural-gas supplies tighten. State crews have also ended seasonal maintenance on several remote highways until spring. Public Lands: New federal rules reopen Alaska preserves to bear baiting and expand vehicle access in Denali, prompting criticism from conservation groups. Science & Safety: Researchers reported a 13,800-year-old dwelling site in Alaska, while Ketchikan declared an emergency after a landslide knocked out a substation. A dog missing after an avalanche was found alive after 50 hours.

Anchorage Safety: A 62-year-old woman was killed crossing Muldoon Road Friday night, the eighth pedestrian death on Anchorage roads this year. Alaska Politics: The Sullivan-Peltola Senate race remains a toss-up as both sides campaign ahead of November’s vote; Trump recently rallied in Alaska for Republicans. Arctic Security: The Coast Guard tracked four Chinese research vessels in international waters off Alaska in September, raising concerns about possible resource mapping or military intelligence gathering. Ketchikan: A landslide knocked out the Ward Cove substation, prompting the city to declare an emergency. Rescue: LouLou, a four-year-old poodle-husky mix, was found alive after more than 50 hours in the wilderness following an avalanche; an Apple AirTag helped rescuers locate her. High School Football: Lathrop beat Soldotna 35-14 for the Division II title, while Kenai Central defeated Homer 28-13 for the Division III championship.

Ketchikan Emergency: A landslide knocked out the Ward Cove substation, prompting the city to declare an emergency. Senate Race: Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola traded sharp attacks in Alaska’s final Senate debate, clashing over Iran, energy costs and their records. Wildlife: An orphaned walrus calf found near Point Lay was rescued and taken to the Alaska SeaLife Center; separately, a new federal rule allows oil and gas companies to kill polar bears and walruses “unintentionally” during operations. Alaska History: Archaeologists say a 13,800-year-old site in Alaska contains the oldest known dwelling in the Western Hemisphere. Energy: Taiwan says it plans to invest up to $4.4 billion in the proposed Alaska LNG project and buy its gas, though the deal remains in development. Rescue: LouLou, a dog separated from her owners in a Chugach State Park avalanche, was found alive after more than two days in the wilderness.

Senate Race: Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan clashed over the Iran war, high prices and healthcare in a tense debate, trading personal attacks and arguing over Peltola’s notes. Democrats outraised Republican rivals in six battleground states, including Alaska, though the reports don’t specify the state’s totals. Public Lands: The Trump administration finalized a rule allowing sport hunters to bait bears in Alaska national preserves, reversing earlier federal restrictions. Halong Recovery: About 800 evacuees remain in Anchorage and 280 in Bethel a year after Typhoon Halong, as displaced residents face a long recovery. State Law: Acting Attorney General Cori Mills urged lawmakers to clarify firearms laws after a federal ruling left rules for suppressors and some short-barreled guns uncertain. Anchorage Courts: A jury found Vincent Sandifer guilty of first-degree murder in the 2022 Spenard shooting; sentencing is set for March. Alaska Day: Sitka’s celebrations culminate Sunday with a parade and reenactment of the 1867 transfer ceremony.

Senate Race: Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola clashed over Iran, energy prices and health care in a heated debate. Sullivan questioned Peltola’s notes, but the moderator said neither candidate received questions in advance. Permitting & Land: Public comment has closed on the proposed West Susitna industrial road after an 18-day review period, shorter than usual. State lawmakers also subpoenaed Natural Resources Commissioner John Crowther to answer questions about a proposed 20,000-acre transfer to AIDEA. Alaska LNG: Taiwan says it plans to invest up to $4.4 billion in the project and buy its gas, though negotiations continue. Immigration: Alaska lawyers say a new requirement to attend detainees’ Tacoma court hearings in person—often on short notice—could leave clients without representation and facing greater deportation risk. Rural Access: The FCC is preparing a $162 million boost for Alaska mobile broadband, while residents displaced by Typhoon Halong are still rebuilding a year after the storm.

Senate Race: Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola traded sharp personal attacks in Thursday’s debate, clashing over affordability, energy and the Iran war. Sullivan said the conflict should end soon; Peltola accused him of dishonesty. Alaska LNG: Taiwan says talks on the proposed gas project have advanced and it may invest up to $4.4 billion. President Trump has touted a much larger $80 billion deal and a 30% share of output, but Taiwan has not finalized that commitment. Western Alaska Recovery: A year after Typhoon Halong, some Kipnuk evacuees remain in Anchorage, separated from family and unsure when they can return as rebuilding continues. Connectivity: The FCC is preparing a vote on $162 million in additional support for Alaska mobile broadband. Mining: Tectonic reported more gold drilling results at its Flat project, while Freegold is preparing a 2027 prefeasibility study for a smaller mine at Golden Summit near Fairbanks.

Denali Access: New rules allow up to 160 vehicles a day on the park’s restricted road, if resource and visitor-experience standards are met. Health Care: Juneau officials warn federal Medicaid changes could cost Bartlett Regional Hospital up to $4 million a year, threatening services relied on across Southeast Alaska. Alaska’s Races: Republican Nick Begich and independent Bill Hill clashed in a statewide House debate over affordability, health care, resource development and their records. Energy: Taiwan says it plans to invest up to $4.4 billion in the proposed Alaska LNG project; President Trump has also touted a 20-year deal for Taiwan to buy 30% of its output, but the project’s future remains uncertain. Rural Connectivity: The FCC proposed $162 million for mobile broadband expansion in Alaska. Winter Travel: State crews have ended regular maintenance on the Taylor and Top of the World highways, McCarthy Road and Rampart Road until spring; officials warn conventional vehicles should avoid the routes.

Election 2026: Alaska’s U.S. House candidates debated statewide as early voting approaches, while President Trump’s Wasilla rally put a tight Senate race and his support for Dan Sullivan in the spotlight. He also urged voters to repeal ranked-choice voting and pardoned two Alaska diesel mechanics. Alaska LNG: Trump touted Taiwan’s plans to invest up to $4.4 billion and buy 30% of the proposed pipeline’s gas, but the purchase remains a presidential claim; Taiwan confirmed the potential investment. South Korea says its participation is still under review, despite Trump’s repeated claims of a $50 billion commitment. Power and development: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum pitched Fairbanks for AI data centers even as Golden Valley Electric urged conservation during a power emergency, raising questions about grid capacity. State oversight: The Senate Resources Committee subpoenaed Natural Resources Commissioner John Crowther over a proposed 20,000-acre transfer to AIDEA. Rescue: An Alaska Air National Guard crew helped rescue two avalanche victims near Eklutna Lake; their dog, missing for more than two days, was found alive. Western Alaska: A year after Typhoon Halong devastated coastal villages, families are still rebuilding, with recovery expected to take years.

Alaska LNG: Taiwan says talks are advancing on buying 6 million tons of Alaska LNG a year and investing up to $4.4 billion. The deal is not final: investment terms remain to be negotiated, and the costly pipeline project still faces questions about commercial viability. Midterm Campaign: Trump rallied in Wasilla for Sen. Dan Sullivan and gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson, urging voters to reject ranked-choice voting. His visit spotlighted a tight Senate race, while Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined a bipartisan group urging Trump to reverse a Russian diesel deal they say could help fund the war in Ukraine. Local Infrastructure: Kodiak’s planned $100 million St. Herman Harbor replacement still faces a $35 million to $45 million funding gap, even if pending grants come through. Cost of Living: U.S. inflation accelerated to 3.7% in September, with energy costs driving much of the increase and squeezing household budgets.

Wasilla Campaign: President Donald Trump rallied for Sen. Dan Sullivan, Rep. Nick Begich and gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson, urged repeal of ranked-choice voting and renewed his uncosted promise of $5,000 checks if Republicans keep Congress. More than 100 people protested nearby. Trump also pardoned two Anchorage mechanics who pleaded guilty to Clean Air Act violations. Alaska LNG: Trump said Taiwan would invest $4.4 billion and buy 30% of the planned pipeline’s gas for 20 years, but Taiwan has not confirmed those terms. South Korea also says its reported $54 billion Alaska investment is not finalized. Russian Diesel Deal: Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined a bipartisan group urging Trump to reverse the deal to import Russian diesel, which he says will ease fuel costs. Anchorage: Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash on East 15th Avenue; the driver remained at the scene and no charges have been filed. Western Alaska Recovery: A year after Typhoon Halong devastated two villages, rebuilding continues, while residents face uncertainty about their communities’ long-term future.

Campaign Stop: President Donald Trump headed to Wasilla Tuesday to rally for Sen. Dan Sullivan as Alaska’s Senate race tightens; challenger Mary Peltola raised $17 million in the third quarter. Alaska LNG: The White House touted $54 billion in South Korean investment for the project, but Seoul says no decision has been made and commercial viability remains under review. North Slope: A truck struck oil and gas pipelines near the Kuparuk field, briefly disrupting flows. No pipeline leak was reported; a small amount of engine fluid spilled, and the incident is under investigation. Western Alaska Recovery: One year after Typhoon Halong devastated two villages, rebuilding is expected to take years, with survivors still adjusting to life in Anchorage. Chugach Rescue: A dog was found alive after spending about 50 hours alone in the wilderness following an avalanche that injured two hikers.

Sullivan Race: President Donald Trump is in Wasilla today to rally for Sen. Dan Sullivan, whose race against Mary Peltola is tight. Road closures and delays are expected around Wasilla and on the Glenn and Parks highways; the rally venue is closed to the public. Anchorage Airspace: The FAA is seeking comments through Nov. 9 on proposed flight-path and airspace changes covering eight airports, including Anchorage, Merrill Field, Lake Hood and Kenai. Virtual workshops are set for Oct. 27 and 28. House Race: Independent candidate Bill Hill says affordability, education and stricter trawl bycatch limits are priorities in his challenge to Rep. Nick Begich. Western Alaska Recovery: A year after Typhoon Halong devastated Kwigillingok and other villages, survivors are still rebuilding their lives in Anchorage. Kenai Parks: The city plans to seek a $250,000 grant toward an $800,000 Old Town Park renovation. Wildlife Rescue: An orphaned walrus calf found near Point Lay is thriving at the Alaska SeaLife Center after community members helped arrange its rescue.

Alaska Politics: President Trump is due in Wasilla Tuesday to campaign for Republicans. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is among a bipartisan group urging him to abandon a Russian diesel deal, saying it may violate sanctions and help fund Putin’s war. Energy: A new Alaska offshore oil lease sale is planned for March 2027, and another Cook Inlet sale is in the works after the first drew little interest. South Korea’s potential $54 billion investment in Alaska LNG remains uncertain. Fisheries: Trawling is drawing scrutiny over its effects on Alaska salmon and Native communities, while Southeast trollers launch a study to collect ocean data. Communities: Rising Anchorage home costs are challenging first-time buyers, and Alaska renters are moving less: 26.6% changed homes in 2024, down from 36.3% in 2014. A new tsunami map is designed to help coastal communities prepare. Kodiak Tourism: Cruise traffic is projected to drop in 2027, with calls down 22% and passengers down 28% to about 22,500.

Fisheries: Alaska’s pollock trawl industry faces renewed backlash over salmon bycatch as western Alaska runs collapse and Yukon River Chinook fishing remains banned for a seventh year. The fishery supplies McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish and fish sticks, but its impact has raised alarm in Native communities. Tsunami Readiness: A new interactive map shows tsunami hazard zones in 66 coastal Alaska communities; just 13 have earned TsunamiReady status. Children’s Future: An opinion writer urges candidates to put kids on the campaign agenda, citing Alaska’s slide to 47th nationally in child well-being. Fuel Politics: Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to reverse course on Russian diesel imports, saying the move could aid Moscow as it wages war against Ukraine. Alaska LNG: South Korea says any investment in the project remains under review, casting doubt on Trump’s claim of a $54 billion commitment.

Arctic Rescue: Alaska Army National Guard aviators rescued two boaters and their dog after their vessel became stuck in icy water north of the Arctic Circle. Russia Diesel Deal: Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined five colleagues from both parties urging the Trump administration to reverse its plan to buy Russian diesel, saying it would financially benefit Putin as Russia continues its war on Ukraine. Alaska Election: Candidates in three Interior House districts highlighted high energy costs and education funding at a Fairbanks forum, while the close Sullivan-Peltola Senate race is drawing national attention ahead of Trump’s planned Wasilla rally. Denali Funding: Cuts to federal partnerships threaten to halt winter patrols by Denali’s working dog teams, which depend on three staff members for daily care. Arctic Policy: At an international assembly in Iceland, Gov. Mike Dunleavy promoted Alaska military investment and Arctic infrastructure, amid wider disagreements with allies over security, resource development and environmental protection. Cruise Season: The Star Princess completed its first Alaska season after 20 sailings, with routes calling at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Alaska Hockey: The Nanooks upset No. 11 Boston College 3–2 on the road, while the Anchorage Wolverines opened at home with a 3–1 win over Minnesota. Governor’s Race: Dave Bronson attacked Republican rival Bernadette Wilson’s record and faulted party leaders for not vetting candidates, ending a stretch of relative peace in the GOP field. Election Issues: Donlin mine development, trawling and living costs are driving a tight Western Alaska House race, while rural heating fuel prices have reached a record high. Energy Projects: South Korea says any Alaska LNG investment must make commercial sense, leaving the costly pipeline’s prospects uncertain despite continued U.S. efforts to advance it. Anchorage: The property assessment board chair says the municipality has a “trust problem” over tax assessments.