AGP Executive Report

U.S. Senate Power Struggle: President Trump is pressuring Majority Leader John Thune to keep the Senate in session past the Aug. 7 recess until Republicans pass the SAVE America Act or end the filibuster, escalating a months-long fight over proof-of-citizenship voting rules. Alaska Politics: Alaska Democratic U.S. House candidate Matt Schultz says he ended his campaign because he lacked a viable money path, while his opponent and outside groups have far more cash. Space & Defense: Rocket Lab won a $266 million U.S. Space Force contract that will add up to 18 suborbital missions from Kodiak’s Pacific Spaceport Complex through 2028, with a new launchpad planned. Local Governance & Courts: Alaska’s long-running excessive-fines dispute over the seizure of a bush plane tied to a six-pack of beer is highlighted as a test of how far penalties can go. Business & Energy: Santos confirmed the first condensate export from its Barossa project, marking a new milestone for LNG-linked operations.

Alaska Elections: Alaska has sent about 3,048 letters to voters asking them to verify citizenship ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, with elections officials saying the unusually high number may be tied to “old data” pulled during voter roll maintenance. U.S. Politics: Sen. Mike Lee is pushing the Senate to stay in session to pass the SAVE America Act, a bill Democrats and some Republicans—including Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski—oppose. U.S.-Iran War: The Pentagon updated its casualty database, adding more than 140 wounded and restoring four deaths, while introducing a new “Overseas Operations” category starting July 7. Alaska Campaign 100 Days Out: Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign says it’s building momentum with thousands of volunteers and door knocks statewide as the race hits the 100-day mark. Local Events: Fairbanks’ Golden Days parade rolled through downtown Saturday with a “Red, Blue and Golden Strikes” theme. Business/Industry: Pacific Seafood says it has acquired Ocean Beauty Seafoods’ distribution operations, aiming to expand capacity and meet rising demand. Health & Aging: A new push on fall prevention highlights how falls drive major health costs and loss of independence for older adults.

Elections & Voting Access: Alaska is sending more than 3,000 letters to voters asking them to verify U.S. citizenship ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, after officials say “old data” may have been pulled during voter roll maintenance. Local Governance: Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly postponed and then approved a deal keeping the Carlson Center as the home base for UAF Nanooks hockey, including a $1 annual lease for exclusive locker-room use. Workforce & Trades: Sen. Dan Sullivan joined TV host Mike Rowe at the Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center to spotlight skilled-trades hiring needs and workforce development. Alaska Politics Watch: A national analysis of the 100-day sprint to the midterms flags Alaska as a key Senate race Democrats could potentially flip. Environment & Safety: Western Toad migration continues on Vancouver Island with trail closures and public warnings—an example of how wildlife movement is driving local safety rules.

Election Security in Alaska: Alaska’s Division of Elections sent more than 3,000 letters to voters asking them to verify U.S. citizenship ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, after officials said old data may have been picked up during voter roll maintenance. Local Politics: A conservative GOP district race in House District 30 is turning into an intra-party fight over whether lawmakers kept their promises, with multiple challengers taking aim at spending and Permanent Fund dividend decisions. Ballot Measures Hearings: Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom will hold public hearings Monday and Aug. 5 on three proposed initiatives: restoring campaign contribution limits, changing election rules, and revisiting voter qualifications. Hyder Flood Damage: The Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site near Hyder remains closed after glacial outburst flooding damaged the area; repairs are planned and a levee breach is being addressed. Business & Travel: Alaska Airlines’ recent Hawaiian Airlines deal keeps Hawaiian as a separate brand, while Alaska Airlines also expands cargo capacity with four new freighters. Tech & Finance: Coinbase is backing a push to prepare Bitcoin for quantum threats, and Wise’s bid for a U.S. bank charter was denied over money-laundering and compliance concerns.

Behavioral health fight in Anchorage: The Anchorage Daily News editorial board says the Assembly “botched” outreach to Fairview residents before approving another behavioral health center, but still criticized residents for speaking up—sparking a debate over transparency and whether the Assembly is listening to the people it serves. Alaska LNG politics: Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers into a third special session to negotiate a multibillion-dollar property tax break for the Alaska LNG project, with legislative leaders already calling the odds “low” and “unlikely.” Voter roll shakeups: Alaska sent thousands of letters to voters asking them to verify U.S. citizenship, and separate reporting says some eligible voters were wrongly flagged and removed from active lists. Supreme Court on Alaska pilot case: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Alaska’s challenge to a seizure of a bush pilot’s $95,000 plane over a six-pack of beer, raising questions about excessive fines. Internet access gap: Alaska ranked last in a nationwide broadband study, dubbed the nation’s largest “internet desert.”

Elections Integrity: Alaska removed 3,500 people from active voter lists after DMV data flagged them as possible noncitizens, but some say they already confirmed citizenship—raising questions about how the state handled the process and whether eligible voters were wrongly sidelined. Supreme Court Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an Alaska case over the seizure of a bush pilot’s $95,000 plane after a passenger had a six-pack of beer, with the pilot arguing the punishment is an excessive fine. Rural Alaska & Public Safety: Acting AG Todd Blanche says the DOJ is shifting resources after a trip to Anchorage and Western Alaska communities, aiming to expand federal prosecution capacity tied to rural public safety and Tribal needs. Energy & Utilities: Enstar asked the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to reconsider a denial of a major natural gas storage expansion in Cook Inlet, warning storage is “critical” starting next year. Arctic Operations: Coast Guard icebreaker Healy was towed to Seattle for major repairs after a significant engineering casualty, while another cutter remains on Arctic patrol. Politics & Campaigns: Maine Democrats will pick a new U.S. Senate nominee to face Susan Collins after a candidate dropped out amid a sexual assault allegation. Alaska Economy: A new forum argues federal spending is Alaska’s biggest economic engine, but researchers say they can’t reliably track the latest totals—leaving a major visibility gap.

Elections & Voting Integrity: Alaska sent about 3,000 letters to voters asking them to verify U.S. citizenship ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, after officials said “old data” from DMV comparisons flagged some actual citizens. Local Government: The Juneau Assembly will decide Monday on whether to place two bond questions—up to $16 million for school upgrades and up to $9.4 million for Mendenhall wastewater—plus a renewal of a 3% temporary sales tax on the fall ballot. Native Affairs: The Justice Department approved a $400 million settlement with ANTHC over unpaid contract support costs, and a Senate panel advanced the Alaska Native Landless Equity Act, which would let five Southeast communities form village corporations and receive land. Housing & Infrastructure: Anchorage reported permits for 330 new housing units so far in 2026, while Matanuska Telecom confirmed a $108 million BEAD award to expand fiber broadband in the Mat-Su. Environment & Courts: Tribal governments and environmental groups filed new lawsuits to block a road permit for construction through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge wetlands. Economy & Travel: Jet fuel prices are rising again after Iran-related tensions, raising the odds of higher airline fares later this summer or fall. Business: Alaska Airlines will add four 737-800 converted freighters under long-term leases, doubling cargo capacity starting in 2027.

Elections Integrity: Alaska sent about 3,048–3,500 letters to voters asking them to verify citizenship ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, after officials said “old data” from the DMV flagged far more names than usual, with some lawmakers warning some recipients may already be U.S. citizens. Ballot Access Clash: Alaska’s elections spokesperson grabbed a KTUU camera while reporters questioned the elections director about how U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan’s party affiliation was handled on the primary ballot. Local Education: Ketchikan Gateway Borough named Kara Four Bear as its new superintendent as the district faces financial turmoil and upcoming consolidations. Public Safety/Weather: Anchorage windstorm knocked out power and downed trees, with outages lasting hours in parts of town. Infrastructure: Unalakleet is in a new phase of replacing its long-troubled water system, targeting the deteriorating distribution network. Transportation & Jobs: Alaska Airlines plans to lease four 737-800 freighters to double its dedicated cargo capacity for Alaska and Hawai‘i. Politics National: A Senate committee delayed a vote on the CDC director nominee, while the House passed a nonbinding Iran war powers resolution.

Bear Safety: A brown bear attacked a woman hiking near the Bear Valley neighborhood in Anchorage, causing non-life-threatening injuries. Alaska Department of Fish and Game says the bear likely surprised the hikers and their three dogs on a narrow, low-visibility trail, then ran off after brief contact; Anchorage Police and Fire helped carry her down and to a hospital. Alaska LNG Debate: In a fresh critique of the Alaska LNG push, an opinion piece argues the project keeps getting reheated in the Legislature while questioning who benefits and what Alaskans would risk, pointing to proposed tax cuts and large projected costs. Ukraine Diplomacy: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila, with Lavrov warning that further U.S. arms sales to Europe for Ukraine are “unacceptable,” while Rubio said the U.S. is ready to help end the war but sees no quick deal. SNAP Funding Risk: New federal rules tied to SNAP payment accuracy could raise costs for states that miss benchmarks, potentially affecting food assistance budgets nationwide. Local Government: Fairbanks is weighing a loitering/panhandling ordinance that would tighten definitions and give police clearer guidance after courts have struck down broad loitering bans. Community Events: Fairbanks’ Golden Days parade and street fair are set for Saturday, with the theme “Stars, Stripes and Golden Strikes” marking the U.S. 250th anniversary.

Tribal Health: The U.S. Justice Department approved a $400 million settlement for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, resolving a dispute over reimbursement for contract support costs tied to ANTHC’s tribal health programs. Housing: Anchorage says new housing permits are surging—330 residential units permitted this year, already beating all of 2024, with officials crediting its “10,000 Homes in 10 Years” push and faster review times. Fisheries Oversight: Alaska lawmakers approved a special audit of the Alaska Board of Fisheries’ processes and legal compliance over the past three years, after ethics and transparency concerns and a voided Area M salmon rule. Court Fight: Alaska’s case over the forfeiture of a pilot’s plane tied to a “six-pack of beer” is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, raising questions under the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause. Local Politics: The Anchorage Assembly censured member George Martinez over campaign finance violations, while leaving open the possibility of further investigations. Elections: A Native-led “Get Out the Native Vote” effort is ramping up for the Aug. 18 primary and Nov. 3 midterms.

Alaska Politics & Elections: Alaska’s Division of Elections certified the Citizen Voting Initiative, while the state’s primary election is approaching and candidates are lining up for August contests, including a crowded field for Alaska’s U.S. House and state House races. Airline & Jobs: Alaska Air Group reported a Q2 loss as revenue rose 10% but fuel costs squeezed margins, and it says it’s moving ahead with fleet changes for Hawaiian service, including Boeing 737-800s starting in 2028. Local Governance (Southeast): Wrangell is pitching a major shipyard build-out estimated at $605 million to $726 million and is also exploring housing plans that could help attract a Coast Guard homeport or federal grants. Public Safety: Doctors are urging faster water-safety action for families after more U.S. child drownings, and on Denali, rangers warn frostbite can come with little warning and stress safe rewarming. Environment & Culture: A parasite linked to Yukon River salmon woes is again in the spotlight, and Katmai’s live cams show dozens of bears fishing the same river stretch at Brooks Falls. World Affairs: Lavrov and Rubio are set to meet in Manila July 23 as Russia hardens its Ukraine stance and the EU works on a new sanctions package.

Alaska Primary Prep: The Division of Elections says the Aug. 18 primary won’t use ranked-choice voting, but the general election will. Voters also need to note deadlines for early voting (Aug. 3) and absentee requests (Aug. 8), and that suspended candidate Matt Schultz still appears on the ballot. Elections Transparency Fight: Alaska’s News Source says the Division of Elections delayed and narrowed a records request about why Petersburg Sullivan’s party affiliation was changed on the primary ballot, with the elections director refusing to detail the decision process. Court Challenge: A fired Seattle U.S. attorney, Roger Rogoff, has sued the Trump administration, arguing his abrupt removal violated constitutional protections for judicially appointed prosecutors. Alaska LNG Stalemate: Lawmakers say odds are low that a new special session will pass a property tax break to support the Alaska LNG project. Federal Settlement for Native Health: ANTHC is set to receive a $400 million settlement from the federal government over unpaid healthcare support costs. Connectivity Push: Alaska Broadband Office says BEAD funding is moving forward, with more than $629 million awarded to subgrantees to connect tens of thousands of homes and small businesses. Supreme Court on “6-pack” Plane: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Alaska’s case seeking to seize a bush pilot’s $95,000 plane after a passenger brought a six-pack of beer.

U.S. Supreme Court: Alaska bush pilot Kenneth Jouppi’s fight over the state’s plan to seize his $95,000 plane over a passenger’s six-pack of beer is headed to the nation’s highest court, with arguments expected in the fall and a key question tied to whether the forfeiture is an “excessive fine.” Rural Alaska costs: A new report highlights how rising fuel prices are hitting Western Alaska villages hard, where residents rely on costly barge deliveries and can pay far more than people in the Lower 48. Alaska politics: Democrat Matt Schultz suspended his U.S. House campaign and backed independent Bill Hill, setting up a new dynamic in Alaska’s sole House-seat race. Cross-border wildlife case: Horns from illegally harvested thinhorn sheep were returned to the Yukon, closing a long-running Alaska-Yukon poaching prosecution. Immigration enforcement: ICE arrested an Alaska Department of Law attorney in Anchorage and is holding him in detention in Washington state.

U.S. Supreme Court: Alaska bush pilot Kenneth Jouppi’s fight over the state’s seizure of his $95,000 Cessna after a passenger brought a six-pack of beer to a dry village is headed to the nation’s highest court, with arguments expected in the fall—raising questions about whether asset forfeiture can be an “excessive fine.” Alaska Politics: Anchorage Assembly members are moving toward censure and possibly removal of fellow member George Martinez after an Alaska Public Offices Commission ruling found he improperly used campaign money for a Florida flight. Kuskokwim Fisheries: The state of Alaska has appealed a federal judge’s attorney-fee award in the long-running subsistence fishing lawsuit, arguing it’s another costly hit to Native organizations. Alaska Economy/Jobs: Alaska’s unemployment rate fell in June, but the state still had fewer jobs than a year earlier. National Finance: Student loan defaults have surged nationwide to record levels, with about 1 in 5 federal borrowers now in default after pandemic-era protections ended. Stablecoins: U.S. regulators missed a GENIUS Act rulemaking deadline, leaving stablecoin oversight in limbo.

Student Debt Fallout: A new Associated Press analysis says federal student loan defaults hit record levels, with about 9.5 million borrowers—roughly 1 in 5—now more than nine months behind after pandemic-era protections ended. Alaska Scam Watch: In June 2026, Soldotna logged three scam reports, tying for fourth among Alaska cities tracked by the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker; Anchorage led statewide with 12. Alaska LNG Fight: Lawmakers and the governor remain locked in a dispute over the Alaska LNG pipeline tax package, with a failed House vote raising questions about whether the project can move forward. Arctic Oversight: U.S. Coast Guard monitoring continues as Chinese research vessels transit toward the Arctic, with officials tracking activity under Operation Frontier Sentinel. Internet Subsidy Scrutiny in Alaska: Reporting from Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica highlights Universal Service Fund spending on internet service for largely empty buildings on remote Adak, raising concerns about wasted money. Elections & Voting Rules: A court fight over mail-in ballot rules and voter-roll transparency continues, with implications for how states handle federal election requirements.

Alaska LNG Fight: A last-minute push for a multibillion-dollar trans-Alaska gas pipeline tax break collapsed after lawmakers said key changes weren’t enough, with Rep. Calvin Schrage describing a “compromise” preview to the project’s lead developer—while the developer disputes his account and legislators warn the bill may be effectively dead. U.S. House Race: Democrat Matt Schultz suspended his campaign for Alaska’s at-large House seat and urged voters to back independent Bill Hill, saying national Republicans and parts of the Democratic “ecosystem” undermined the race. Stablecoin Deadline: The GENIUS Act’s clock is ticking for Tether’s USDT, which may need foreign-issuer compliance to keep access on U.S. exchanges beyond July 2028. Public Safety/Justice: Alaska State Troopers say an anonymous tip led to the arrest of a Michigan man accused of a 1993 Fairbanks-area murder, after remains were found in a barrel. Environment & Climate: Scientists say HAARP can’t control weather, despite renewed myths as extreme heat hits Europe; separate reporting highlights permafrost thaw acidifying northern streams. China at Sea: The Coast Guard tracked Chinese research vessels transiting near Alaska, escorting them while noting their mapping capabilities.