September Ad Spending Pushes 2026 Senate Races Toward Record Costs
About $390 million in Senate ads is reserved for September as outside groups widen the 2026 battleground map and voters await fuller disclosures.
Alaska
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NOAA says the Lower 48 just had its hottest summer on record
NOAA says the Lower 48 had its hottest summer on record as drought expanded and wildfire potential stayed elevated across several regions.
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Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge to Reopening Offshore Acreage
An Alaska judge dismissed a challenge to reopening more than 600 million offshore acres to possible oil leasing, but the ruling did not authorize drilling.
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USDA Proposes Rescinding National Roadless Rule
USDA wants to end nationwide roadless protections, shifting more decisions to individual forests while leaving current rules and project reviews in place.
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NOAA outlook keeps much of U.S. tilted toward heat through October
NOAA favors above-normal temperatures across much of the U.S. through October, but drought risks vary by region as El Niño strengthens.
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Southcentral Alaska utilities warn gas shortages could raise heating and power costs this winter
Enstar and regional electric utilities warn that tightening Cook Inlet gas supplies and low storage margins could raise energy costs and trigger conservation measures during extreme winter demand.
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Mat-Su prioritizes Shaw Elementary roads before the 2026 school start
New traffic-circulation roads around Shaw Elementary are being prioritized ahead of the late-August 2026 school start, but paving must be completed before they open. The opening is expected in September, while the Wasilla Fishhook Road intersection remains planned for 2027.
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Interior Says Federal Lands Hold 356 Billion Tons of Potential Coal Resources
A new Interior Department and USGS assessment estimates 356 billion short tons of available coal resources in the lower 48 states, plus at least 140 billion in Alaska.
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Anchorage Assembly takes up tax incentives for mixed-use housing
The Anchorage Assembly held an August 4 hearing on a proposal for tax incentives tied to mixed-use, multifamily housing. The measure is not yet confirmed as final.
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Fairbanks’ 2026 municipal election process moves past Aug. 5 withdrawal deadline
Fairbanks’ 2026 municipal election process has passed its candidate-withdrawal deadline. The regular election remains scheduled for Oct. 6, while a ballot question could move future municipal elections to November.
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Anchorage public-safety commission proposal dies without Assembly vote
A proposed independent public-safety commission ended without an Assembly vote after July 21 testimony, leaving Anchorage without a replacement advisory body.
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Alaska job count falls 0.3% year over year as government losses outweigh private-sector gains
Alaska’s statewide employment count fell 0.3% from June 2025 to June 2026, as a loss of 1,900 government jobs outweighed a 1,000-job private-sector increase.
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Alaska’s FY2027 budget becomes law after Dunleavy vetoes $89.5 million
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed Alaska’s fiscal 2027 budget on June 24 after vetoing $89.5 million, while school funding remained intact, according to Alaska Public Media.
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USDOT announces $1.73 billion for 127 transportation projects nationwide
The U.S. Department of Transportation says FY2026 BUILD grants will support 127 roadway, bridge, transit, rail, maritime and aviation projects across 52 states, territories and the District of Columbia.
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Interior releases USGS estimate of 356 billion tons of coal resources beneath federal lands
A new U.S. Geological Survey assessment estimates 4.2 billion short tons of reported coal reserves beneath federal lands and 356 billion short tons of additional available resources in the lower 48 states.
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Alaska expands 2026 spring-flood disaster declaration as recovery assistance continues
Alaska expanded Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s May 11 disaster declaration on May 21 to cover additional areas affected by spring flooding. The state has opened individual-assistance registration and published recovery information, but the current list of added areas and registration deadline were not available in the approved records.
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DOJ announces proposed $400 million settlement with Alaska Native health consortium
The Justice Department says the proposed civil agreement would resolve allegations involving federal health-care claims and provide funding for health-care costs at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
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Anchorage,, AK Weather Snapshot – August 5, 2026
12:47 PM · Wednesday, August 5, 2026 · Anchorage,, AK: 57°F (Light Rain) · Humidity 94% · Wind 0 mph
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Anchorage,, AK Weather Snapshot – August 4, 2026
11:42 PM · Tuesday, August 4, 2026 · Anchorage,, AK: 61°F (Light Rain) · Humidity 88% · Wind 3 mph
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Alaska voters can cast ballots early in the Aug. 18 primary. Here are the deadlines
Early voting and absentee options are open statewide for Alaska’s Aug. 18 primary. The mail-ballot request deadline is Aug. 8, and eligible voters seeking electronic transmission have until 5 p.m. Alaska time Aug. 17.
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Anchorage,, AK Weather Snapshot – August 3, 2026
11:48 PM · Monday, August 3, 2026 · Anchorage,, AK: 57°F (Light Rain) · Humidity 88% · Wind 7 mph
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Proposed winter ferry schedule would leave Cordova without service for about five months
A proposed Alaska Marine Highway System schedule would leave Cordova without scheduled ferry service from October 1, 2026, through March 5, 2027, while the M/V Aurora undergoes an extended overhaul. The plan remains subject to review and possible changes.