AGP Executive Report

Plane Crash Tragedy: A Cessna 441 charter flight crashed near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in western Alaska, killing all eight aboard, including two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees; fog was reported and the NTSB/FAA are investigating. Public Safety: Anchorage police say a pedestrian was struck and killed by an SUV in Midtown early Saturday; the driver didn’t stop. Local Energy Costs: Upper Lynn Canal residents are bracing for major electricity-rate pressure tied to a more-than-$100 million bill after damage to an underwater transmission cable, with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska in the middle of the debate. Regulatory Commission Update: The Regulatory Commission of Alaska re-elected John M. Espindola as chair for fiscal year 2027, and later announced closures for Independence Day and an executive-order closure. Sports: UAA’s Seawolves swept Chaminade 3-0 at the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge, while Alaska’s Nanooks volleyball and Seawolves football both posted notable results.

Alaska Politics: A new report says U.S. Senate nominee Mary Peltola missed 794 Alaska House votes and 22 Bethel City Council meetings, raising fresh questions about her attendance as she heads toward a November showdown. Campaign Spending Scrutiny: Separately, reporting alleges Sen. Dan Sullivan has poured tens of thousands in donor-backed money into pricey out-of-state dining and events, including Washington steakhouse spending. Energy Prices (Anchorage & Mat-Su): Diesel prices stayed volatile: Anchorage Municipality’s lowest reported diesel hit $5.19/gal (week ending Aug. 15), while Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s low was $4.72/gal. National Forest Fight (Tongass): Groups are pushing back hard against USDA’s move to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, warning it could open more of the Tongass to logging and roadbuilding. Aviation Tragedy (Western Alaska): Investigators continue to sort out a charter plane crash near a remote radar site that killed all eight aboard, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel.

Plane Crash Update: A charter Cessna 441 crash near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site killed all eight aboard after a missed approach and a second attempt in heavy fog, with investigators saying the crew relied on instruments as visibility collapsed. Public Safety: Anchorage police say an officer in a deadly Aug. 1 cruiser-taxi collision had emergency lights and siren on, ran a red light, and was speeding above the limit; the case is headed for state review. Transportation Funding: Alaska’s Marine Highway System is set for a $410 million federal investment to restore ferry operations, replace vessels, modernize terminals, and upgrade reservations and customer service. Local Crime & Courts: The DOJ is reportedly investigating whether a Petersburg candidate with the same name as Sen. Dan Sullivan violated federal law, raising new questions for Alaska’s Senate race. Education & Community: Dimond High School was evacuated after a bomb threat report, but police found no credible threat; meanwhile, Anchorage students are returning amid ongoing district cut impacts. Aviation/Travel: Alaska Airlines’ long-haul expansion from Seattle to Paris and Athens continues, but flight attendants say staffing shortages are straining new routes. State Fair: Crowds packed the opening day of the 90th Alaska State Fair, with attendance expectations topping last year’s near-400,000 turnout.

Plane Crash Tragedy: A charter Cessna 441 carrying eight people crashed near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in Southwest Alaska, killing everyone aboard; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers chartered the flight and two of its employees were among the dead, as investigators (including the NTSB and FAA) look at approach attempts, possible low visibility, and what went wrong. Criminal Justice: In Alaska courtrooms, Darold Greg Love was sentenced to 60 years in prison (with 17 years suspended) for sexual assault and abuse of a minor, while Robert Hawes was convicted in Palmer on multiple child sexual abuse counts and is set for sentencing in November. Local Community Spotlight: Diann Darnell stepped down after 17 years leading the Alaska International Senior Games, honored for building a volunteer-run sports event that qualifies athletes for the International Senior Games. Public Lands & Recreation: Willow residents and trail supporters are pushing back against a proposed no-cost land conveyance for an industrial park, warning it would permanently change recreation and access in the Mat-Su foothills. Energy Project Update: Ouzinkie’s solar effort is underway, with locals trained to maintain panels and a planned array sized to more than double the community’s peak demand.

Aviation Tragedy: A charter Cessna 441 carrying eight people crashed near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in western Alaska, shortly after departing Anchorage; the NTSB says two pilots and six passengers were aboard and a search-and-rescue response is underway, with officials still not confirming survivors. Public Safety & Health: Anchorage school officials are reminding families to keep required vaccines up to date as more students return, and they’re offering a free vaccine clinic Aug. 25. Wildfire Watch: The Mukluk Fire evacuation order near Tok was reduced, but officials still warn residents to stay out of the Level Three “GO” area due to hazards and the risk of blocking firefighters. Community & Education: A new inclusive Friendship Circle Play Center opened in Anchorage for kids of all abilities, and UAA and UAF both welcomed students for the fall semester. Infrastructure: The nearly 100-year-old Hurricane Gulch Bridge on the Alaska Railroad is set for a major upgrade with $28 million in federal funding (about $36 million total), with work expected to start in 2027.

Alaska Election Watch: Early results from Alaska’s Aug. 18 primary show Democrats leading in governor and U.S. Senate races, with Mary Peltola holding a slight edge over incumbent Dan Sullivan while Nick Begich leads in the U.S. House. Anchorage Public Safety vs Privacy: The Anchorage Assembly is weighing a proposed Real Time Crime Center expansion that would boost police surveillance, but some members want tighter rules first, including limits on retention and sharing. Kodiak Break-Ins: Kodiak police are investigating break-ins at Harborside Coffee, following similar alleged burglaries at the Alaska Marine Highway System and the Kodiak Chamber downtown offices. Wildfire Update (Tok): The Mukluk Fire is 16% contained, and the evacuation area has been reduced as crews push containment on multiple sides. Community & Wildlife: Homer’s Sandhill Crane Festival and Crane Count Days at Beluga Slough are set to draw birders and citizen scientists for migration-season counts and events. Northern Lights Forecast: NOAA says aurora viewing could be possible from parts of the north, with Alaska generally in the higher-likelihood zone. Energy & Policy: A new push in Washington would target the roadless rule, arguing it blocks wildfire-risk “treatments,” while critics warn it could open protected habitat to more roads and logging.

Mukluk Fire in Tok: Residents in Tok surveyed damage Wednesday as the Mukluk Fire grew to about 16% containment, with state officials saying a downed power line sparked the blaze; at least 20 homes were damaged or destroyed and more than 150 firefighters were working to protect the community. Alaska Senate race momentum: With most precincts reporting, Democrat Mary Peltola held a lead over incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan after Alaska’s primary, setting up a November showdown as the field narrows under the state’s open primary system. Anchorage schools start: Anchorage School District welcomed students back Wednesday with a staggered first day, including first through sixth graders and ninth graders, while older middle and high school students return Thursday. NOAA charting the Bering Sea: The NOAA ship Fairweather is mapping large swaths of the Bering Sea and Bering Strait to update nautical charts and improve maritime safety as ship traffic increases. Cook Inlet AI data center proposal: An East Coast company pitched a subsea AI data center off Nikiski, using underwater turbines and seawater cooling powered by Cook Inlet tides. Federal judgeship for Alaska: Trump announced a plan to nominate Kyle Reardon to fill Alaska’s long-vacant federal judge seat, clearing a backlog after a vacancy stretching back more than two years. Wildlife alert in Anchorage: Fish and Game issued a warning after two recent river otter attacks in Anchorage waterways, urging people to watch for aggressive otters. Local governance in Sterling: A group behind a proposed Sterling recreation service area withdrew the plan after a town hall drew mixed reactions about raising property taxes.

Alaska Politics: Tuesday’s Alaska primary narrowed the field for November, with Democrats pushing a rare path to the governor’s office and the U.S. Senate race shaping up as a top midterm fight: GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan advanced, while Democrat Mary Peltola led in the primary and is set for a showdown. Forest Policy: The Trump administration moved to scrap the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, arguing it blocks wildfire-risk work—while environmental groups warn it could mean more roads and logging on intact national forest lands. Elections Watch: Reuters highlights the Alaska Senate contest as a key centrist win for Democrats, even as Florida delivered a left-wing upset that complicates the party’s Senate math. Local Safety & Fraud: Anchorage topped Alaska cities for scam reports in July, with nine complaints logged—phishing was the most common type. Fisheries: A pink salmon surge is giving some Prince William Sound seiners hope, but returns remain thin and the season is still shaping up as one of the worst. Public Process: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is set to take up Gulf of Alaska groundfish specs in Anchorage this fall, with public comments open through early October.

Anchorage Police Shooting: Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case says an officer fired a single shot during a downtown standoff at the Adelaide housing facility after a woman pointed a gun at staff and repeatedly toward officers and a school; negotiations, crisis teams, and a drone were used before the shooting, and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Papua LNG Watch: Santos says a final investment decision on the $20 billion Papua New Guinea LNG project is targeted for the fourth quarter, with a key community forum expected to wrap by late September; the company also reported first-half profit down 19% while Alaska’s Pikka ramps up. Rural Voting Strain: Alaska Native groups warn rural polling and election staffing are failing voters, citing precincts that opened late or not at all during the primary, including Nunapitchuk. Public Lands Fight: The Trump administration proposed fully rescinding the roadless rule, aiming to open 44 million acres to road building and logging, a move critics say could worsen wildfire risk and fragment forests. Alaska Senate Primary Stakes: Alaska’s open top-four primary features Sen. Dan Sullivan vs. Mary Peltola and another Dan Sullivan, with outside groups watching closely as the winner could shape Senate control.

Alaska Politics: Alaska’s U.S. Senate primary is Tuesday, with voters narrowing a crowded field to the top four for November—plus a rare “two Dan Sullivans” ballot mix-up that could split the Republican vote and reshape the race. Wildfire Watch: A fast-moving Tok wildfire (Mukluk Fire) has damaged or destroyed at least 20 structures and forced evacuations as it swelled past 1,500 acres, with officials urging residents to leave. Local Governance: Whittier leaders are weighing the future of waterfront leases as long-running businesses face competition when leases expire Sept. 1, with city officials pushing “highest and best use.” Transportation & Aviation: Alaska Airlines has received initial approval for a $500,000 deal settling a class action over vacation accrual during qualifying military leave. Economy & Industry: A partnership is connecting fishermen with new USDA seafood programs, aiming to help Alaska’s seafood sector access funding and markets. Culture: The Midnight Sun Scottish Highland Games drew athletes and families to Anchorage for caber toss and other heavy events.

Alaska Primary Countdown: Alaska voters head to the polls Tuesday for a pick-one, top-four primary that will shape November’s races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, the Legislature, and Ballot Measure 1, with election officials urging ID and warning that lines can be long. U.S. Senate Showdown: The state’s most watched contest features two Dan Sullivans and Mary Peltola, as campaign staffing shakeups and last-minute strategy talk swirl into primary day. Rural Voting Staffing Worry: Alaska Native groups are pressing the Division of Elections to fix rural election-worker shortages and delayed per diem payments before Tuesday, asking for a public breakdown by region and a backup plan. Anchorage Schools Update: Anchorage School District is changing how nursing coverage works when nurses are absent, using regional coverage and temporary reassignment, while still trying to fill 11 nurse openings. Skagway Ferry Disruption: Alaska Marine Highway service to Skagway is suspended after major structural damage was found at the docking facility, with inspections underway and no repair timetable yet. Public Safety Notes: A Saint Mary’s woman died after being pinned under an ATV; a Soldotna woman faces DUI charges after a crash with a child in the vehicle; and an Eagle River home fire damaged a deck and attic after a reported explosion.

Alaska Politics: Alaska voters head to the Aug. 18 Senate primary with Sen. Dan Sullivan facing former Rep. Mary Peltola, a race that could help decide control of the U.S. Senate in November. Primary Chaos: A separate report highlights how Alaska’s crowded governor field and the fight over the state’s open primary and ranked-choice system are shaping the campaign season. Alaska LNG: Gov. Mike Dunleavy says lawmakers’ failure to vote on key tax legislation is sending a “negative signal” and could stall the proposed $50 billion Alaska LNG pipeline project. Public Safety: A 15-year-old boy struck by an SUV while riding a bicycle on an Eagle River sidewalk has died, according to Anchorage police. Fisheries: ADF&G restored the traditional five-sockeye bag limit for Saltery Cove after the sockeye run met escapement goals. Sports: Kodiak’s inaugural nine-man football game ended in a 46-22 win over Seward, snapping a long losing streak. Mental Health in Anchorage: A Homer clothing brand is bringing mental-health messaging to the Alaska State Fair, with designs built around personal recovery themes. Health Policy: The U.S. Senate confirmed Mark Cruz as director of the Indian Health Service, ending a long vacancy.

Aviation Disruptions: Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines are gradually resuming normal operations in Hawaii as Tropical Storm Lala moves away; waivers are extended for travelers through Monday after dozens of cancellations across Neighbor Island and transpacific routes. Public Safety: Alaska State Troopers are urging extra caution after a rash of motorcycle deaths and injuries, noting motorcycles are harder to see and offering reminders for drivers and riders. Wildlife Encounters: A runner was injured after a brown bear encounter on an Anchorage trail; officials say the runner used bear spray and was taken to a hospital. Community & Culture: Anchorage’s Hmong Harvest Festival kicked off this weekend at Sullivan Arena, bringing food, dance, and family celebration to the city’s Hmong community. Local Economy/Infrastructure: Cost.U.Less will open a new 50,000-square-foot flagship in Hagåtña on Aug. 28 and close its long-running Tamuning location Aug. 27. Shipping & Energy: Shanghai Port reported its first dual-vessel, dual-fuel bunkering at offshore anchorage, supplying LNG and biomethanol to international ships. Justice Department Watch: U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to pledge DOJ independence from the White House, drawing fresh national attention to federal oversight and enforcement.

Federal Funding: Sen. Lisa Murkowski says delayed Alaska Native Education Program grants totaling $41.3M are being expedited after grantees flagged the missed July 1 payment. Public Safety: Alaska State Troopers arrested Charles Yingst, a mechanic with a fraud-and-theft history, after he cut off an ankle monitor and was wanted on more than $2M in warrants. Wildlife & Health: A woman running on Anchorage’s Prospect Heights trail used bear spray to escape a brown bear and was hospitalized; Fish and Game posted warnings and urged hikers to avoid closed trails and known attractants. Environment: A new study finds wildfire smoke is increasingly driving dangerous prenatal air pollution, hitting low-income and Alaska Native communities hardest. Northern Lights: NOAA forecasts aurora chances Sunday night, with much of Alaska interior seeing a high probability if skies get dark enough. Arctic Security: U.S. Special Operations Forces deployed across western Alaska near Russia for “Polar Dagger 2026,” testing rapid forward presence. Local Law Enforcement: The FBI donated 30 body armor kits to Wasilla Police as part of its Legacy Body Armor Program.

Bear Safety in Anchorage: A woman trail running near Prospect Heights’ Wolverine Bowl escaped a brown bear attack using bear spray and was taken to a local hospital; Fish and Game says warning signs are posted and urges hikers to report aggressive wildlife and avoid closed trails. Local Community & Tourism: Alyeska’s 19th annual Blueberry Festival drew thousands to Girdwood with 75 local vendors and family-friendly events over the weekend. Anchorage Business Accountability: A shuttered Anchorage RV rental owner was ordered to pay more than $230,000 in fines and restitution after state allegations of deceptive practices, including deposit charges and forged signatures. Travel Disruption—Hurricane Lala: Hurricane Lala canceled dozens of flights to and within Hawaii, with Alaska and Hawaiian issuing waivers and adjusting schedules as the storm moved south of the islands. Arctic Shipping Watch: China-linked Arctic shipping activity is rising along Russia’s Northern Sea Route despite sanctions, highlighting growing competition over the route. Sports—High School Football: West High crushed Bartlett 67-0 in a season-opening statement win, powered by a strong defense and multiple touchdown drives. World—Ukraine Strikes: Russian missile and drone attacks killed one and wounded at least seven in Ukraine, while Kyiv reported air-raid alerts in the early morning.

Chugach State Park access fight: Anchorage Assembly members are debating who should control spending from the new Chugach State Park Access Service Area, with neighbors split between fears of too much influence from park-adjacent residents and complaints that current plans leave them sidelined. Alaska Senate stakes: Alaska’s nonpartisan primary for U.S. Senate could decide control of the upper chamber, with Sen. Dan Sullivan seeking reelection against a crowded field that includes Mary Peltola. Ballot measure clarity: The League of Women Voters of Anchorage says voters will see Ballot Measure 1 in the Aug. 18 primary (campaign donation limits) and three measures in November, including one that would repeal open primaries, ranked choice voting, and transparency rules. Primary day guidance: A local letter urges voters to vote “Yes” on Ballot Measure 1 and warns about confusion from campaigns aimed at the November ballot. Public safety politics: The Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association endorses Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor, arguing he’s backed staffing, equipment, and funding for first responders. Letters to the editor: Multiple letters argue over the direction of Alaska’s elections and LNG/pipeline policy, including calls to “vote for conservatives” to move a pipeline deal forward. Anchorage scams: Better Business Bureau reports just one scam report in Anchorage for the week ending Aug. 8.