The Alaska Beacon is an independent, nonpartisan news organization focused on connecting Alaskans to their state government. Sign up: alaskabeacon.com/subscribehttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlwnxtcjtk2cAlaska legislators approve $2.5 billion for new construction and renovation projects, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/15/alaska-legislators-approve-2-5-billion-for-new-construction-and-renovation-projects/16 May 2026 01:09 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlwnxtcjtk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlwaoa75xs2jAlaska Legislature approves plan for mental health education in schools, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/15/alaska-legislature-approves-plan-for-mental-health-education-in-schools/15 May 2026 21:11 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlwaoa75xs2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlw62ebi6c2cState lawmakers approve Alaska Railroad land sale to port town of Whittier, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/15/state-lawmakers-approve-alaska-railroad-land-sale-to-port-town-of-whittier/15 May 2026 20:24 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlw62ebi6c2chttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlvyicw3fk24Alaska development agency approves $190 million budget for Arctic refuge oil exploration and leasing, writes Max Graham for Northern Journal. Read more @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/15/alaska-development-agency-approves-190-million-budget-for-arctic-refuge-oil-exploration-leasing/15 May 2026 18:45 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvyicw3fk24https://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlvtyn2t7c2iShifting attitudes on menopause drive lawmakers to push for new protections, writes @kelciemmorris.bsky.social for @stateline.org @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/15/repub/shifting-attitudes-on-menopause-drive-lawmakers-to-push-for-new-protections/15 May 2026 17:24 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvtyn2t7c2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlvsvrw7y22oAlaska Senate advances bill to expand early interventions for children with developmental delays, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-senate-advances-bill-to-expand-early-interventions-for-children-with-developmental-delays/15 May 2026 17:05 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvsvrw7y22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltygdg4ok2tUnusual activity at Alaska volcano prompts extra look at remote peak, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/14/unusual-activity-at-alaska-volcano-prompts-extra-look-at-remote-peak/14 May 2026 23:38 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltygdg4ok2thttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltvgsi5x22jUpdate: After lawmakers declined to confirm Stephen Cox, Dunleavy immediately hired him for a newly created role within the Office of the Governor, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/14/alaska-legislature-rejects-gov-mike-dunleavys-pick-for-attorney-general/14 May 2026 22:45 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltvgsi5x22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltuzix5sk2hSupreme Court rules abortion pills can continue to be mailed, writes @shefali.bsky.social for @19thnews.org. Read more @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/14/supreme-court-rules-abortion-pills-can-continue-to-be-mailed/14 May 2026 22:37 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltuzix5sk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltq4fs3b22nAlaska Legislature passes resolution urging Trump administration waive visa fee for teachers, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-legislature-passes-resolution-urging-trump-administration-waive-visa-fee-for-teachers/14 May 2026 21:09 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltq4fs3b22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltmkhv4z22fAlaska Legislature rejects Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s pick for attorney general, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/14/alaska-legislature-rejects-gov-mike-dunleavys-pick-for-attorney-general/14 May 2026 20:06 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltmkhv4z22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltk5ueogc26COMMENTARY: Trump’s “America First Global Health Strategy” is nothing more than global gangsterism, writes former Alaska attorney general Bruce Botelho in a commentary for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/14/trumps-america-first-global-health-strategy-is-nothing-more-than-global-gangsterism/14 May 2026 19:23 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltk5ueogc26https://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltgfz66es2qA huge data center could rise on Alaska’s North Slope, writes Nathaniel Herz for Northern Journal. Read more @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/14/a-huge-data-center-could-rise-on-alaskas-north-slope/14 May 2026 18:16 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltgfz66es2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltdwp4gm22xSenate votes to freeze members’ pay during future shutdowns, writes @jennifershutt.bsky.social for our D.C. bureau @statesnewsroom.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/14/repub/senate-votes-to-freeze-members-pay-during-future-shutdowns/14 May 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltdwp4gm22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltdhhi5os2kFormer North Pole legislator, owner of Santa-themed tourist spot named to Alaska Judicial Council, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/former-north-pole-legislator-owner-of-santa-themed-tourist-spot-named-to-alaska-judicial-council/14 May 2026 17:23 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltdhhi5os2khttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mltc2fujrk2cAlaska prosecutors accuse two Wasilla residents of more than 400 identity theft-related crimes, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/14/alaska-prosecutors-accuse-two-wasilla-residents-of-more-than-400-identity-theft-related-crimes/14 May 2026 16:58 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltc2fujrk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlrhzxsfbk2kAfter 10-year truce, a major tax dispute looms over the trans-Alaska pipeline system. Read more from Northern Journal's Nathaniel Herz @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/after-10-year-truce-a-major-tax-dispute-looms-over-the-trans-alaska-pipeline-system/13 May 2026 23:40 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlrhzxsfbk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlrfb6hvqk2pAlaska House passes bill aimed at stabilizing budgets for school districts, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/alaska-house-passes-bill-aimed-at-stabilizing-budgets-for-school-districts/13 May 2026 22:50 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlrfb6hvqk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlrbsegdh22rU.S. Senate again rejects a bid to force authorization for Iran War — Sen. Lisa Murkowski is the latest Republican to switch her vote amid growing G.O.P opposition. More from @ashleymurray.bsky.social and @statesnewsroom.com @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/repub/us-senate-again-rejects-resolution-to-force-authorization-for-iran-war/13 May 2026 21:48 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlrbsegdh22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlrabmlxok2wGulf of Alaska king salmon are not endangered species, federal government concludes. More from @alaska.bsky.social at @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/gulf-of-alaska-king-salmon-are-not-endangered-species-federal-government-concludes/13 May 2026 21:21 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlrabmlxok2whttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlraas552c22Honoring ANCSA’s vision means protecting Alaska Native Corporations as pillars of self-determination, writes ANCSA Regional Association President Nicole Borromeo in a commentary for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/honoring-ancsas-vision-means-protecting-alaska-native-corporations-as-pillars-of-self-determination/13 May 2026 21:20 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlraas552c22https://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlr5clzivk2pAir Force One, with Trump aboard, makes brief stop in Anchorage en route to Asia, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/air-force-one-with-trump-aboard-makes-brief-stop-in-anchorage-en-route-to-asia/13 May 2026 20:28 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlr5clzivk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlr2m3xbxs2tMore Alaska crude flows to Asia as Strait of Hormuz stays shut, writes Nathaniel Herz for Northern Journal. Read more @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/more-alaska-crude-flows-to-asia-as-strait-of-hormuz-stays-shut/13 May 2026 19:39 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlr2m3xbxs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlr2hutdr22bTrump’s FDA commissioner exits after pressure from anti-abortion groups, writes @jennifershutt.bsky.social for our D.C. bureau @statesnewsroom.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/repub/trumps-fda-commissioner-exits-after-pressure-from-anti-abortion-groups/13 May 2026 19:37 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlr2hutdr22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlqxsj6npc2hProposed Mat-Su armed teacher program could cost $700,000, writes Amy Bushatz for the Mat-Su Sentinel https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/proposed-mat-su-armed-teacher-program-could-cost-700000/13 May 2026 18:49 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqxsj6npc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlqs5yt4k22hCost of Iran war rises to $29B as US gas prices spike, writes @ashleymurray.bsky.social for our D.C. bureau @statesnewsroom.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/repub/cost-of-iran-war-rises-to-29b-as-us-gas-prices-spike/13 May 2026 17:08 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqs5yt4k22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlqquyqtyk2sBit by bit, progress is made on the ambitious Alaska Long Trail plan, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/13/bit-by-bit-progress-is-made-on-the-ambitious-alaska-long-trail-plan/13 May 2026 16:45 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqquyqtyk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlp4rlbqac2bAlaska to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month under new law, writes @corinne-smith.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-to-recognize-hispanic-heritage-month-under-new-law/13 May 2026 01:13 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlp4rlbqac2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mloylfwqh22pState ignores bill to require scientific peer review of predator control, writes Anchorage conservation biologist Richard Steiner in a commentary for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/12/state-ignores-bill-to-require-scientific-peer-review-of-predator-control/12 May 2026 23:58 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mloylfwqh22phttps://bsky.app/profile/alaskabeacon.com/post/3mlovu4lpok24Alaska Legislature considers exempting some Native corporations from public disclosure, writes @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/05/12/alaska-legislature-considers-exempting-some-native-corporations-from-public-disclosure/12 May 2026 23:09 +0000at://did:plc:w4zfycmbhyk6ey2q64zm6dl3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlovu4lpok24