AGP Executive Report

Political Fallout: A new DOJ “anti-weaponisation” slush fund is drawing fresh Republican pushback, with Democrats calling it a $1.776B payout scheme that could benefit people tied to the Jan. 6 attack. US–China Tech Leverage: Trump’s Beijing trip reportedly included last-minute Air Force One changes to bring Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, underscoring how AI now sits at the center of trade power. Alaska Justice: A Pennsylvania man, Adepoju Babatunde Salako, was sentenced to 18 months for wire fraud tied to a 2022 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend identity-theft scheme. Juneau Public Safety: An 82-year-old was charged after a stabbing left a 78-year-old with multiple knife wounds; police say it followed an argument. Juneau Tourism Hit: The Goldbelt Tram’s closure has been extended indefinitely after an April accident, with reopening dependent on certification. Environment Watch: A study warns thawing permafrost is releasing toxic metals into Canada’s northern rivers, turning some headwaters orange and more like contaminated mining sites. Travel/Local Life: Anchorage TSA lines are back to season-normal after earlier equipment problems, and Juneau’s cruise season continues to face ripple effects.

Alaska LNG Politics: Lawmakers are back in a special session as property-tax break talks stall, with Glenfarne CEO Brendan Duval telling lawmakers the project is moving and pushing back on concerns—while the gasline fight keeps colliding with pension leverage and trust issues. Coast Guard & Safety: Cutter Waesche returned to Alameda after a 113-day Bering Sea patrol, citing 15 boardings, 11 violations, and rescues of five mariners near Umnak Island. Wildlife Science: University of Washington researchers say they’ve decoded key beluga call patterns in Cook Inlet, including how shipping noise may mask calf communication. Local Courts: A Ketchikan judge ordered removal of buses and barriers blocking cruise passenger access at Ward Cove, keeping the order in place pending further court action. Juneau-Area Sports & Arts: Sitka opened a baseball series with an 8-4 win over Kayhi; and Ketchikan photographer Mary Ida Henrikson’s work was accepted into UAS’s Tidal Echoes literary journal.

PFD Fraud Case: A Philadelphia man, Adepoju Salako, was sentenced to 18 months in U.S. prison for wire fraud tied to Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend program—using stolen personal info from real Alaskans to file seven fake applications in early 2022. Holiday Travel Crunch: Anchorage airport travelers reported unusually long TSA lines as Memorial Day weekend begins, with officials citing intermittent X-ray equipment outages and urging people to arrive early. Local Closures: Williwaw Social in downtown Anchorage announced it’s shutting down after nearly a decade, forcing reschedules for at least two upcoming events. Summer Kickoff: Kodiak’s Crab Festival draws crowds for the Memorial Day weekend, and UAA says summer enrollment is up about 5 percent. Public Safety Reminder: Alaska officials are warning families that water stays dangerously cold even in warm weather, with life vests required for kids under 13.

Disaster Aid Push: Gov. Tony Evers has formally asked President Trump for a Wisconsin disaster declaration after April storms, tornadoes and flooding caused more than $27 million in damage, with FEMA assessments putting residential losses at about $9.8 million and public-sector damage above $17.6 million. Memorial Day in Alaska: Kodiak’s Crab Festival is underway with a theme of “You Me & The Sea,” plus a Fishermen’s Memorial Service and Monday’s Blessing of the Fleet. Local Sports & Community: Kayhi’s boys JV beat Juneau-Douglas 3-0, and Ketchikan’s KRBD is marking 50 years with a live celebration. Alaska LNG Debate: Alaska lawmakers are still wrestling with gasline tax and policy details as the push to move projects forward continues. Travel Pressure: Memorial Day gas prices are near four-year highs nationwide, adding cost stress for road trips.

Memorial Day travel pressure: AAA says Arizona gas hit a four-year high heading into the holiday weekend, with the national regular average at $4.56 and prices likely to stay elevated as demand rises and Middle East shipping risks linger. Alaska energy & costs: In the Interior, fuel prices are climbing fast enough that even midgrade is topping $5.50 in places, keeping pressure on household budgets. Local governance: Kenai’s City Council got its first look at a 20-year parks master plan, including a push to add pickleball courts as the fastest-growing sport. Public safety: Anchorage police say K-9 Kiska is back to full duty after losing a toe in an April gunfight. Health & community: Nashoba Valley’s new regional health study warns youth mental health and older-adult isolation were already major problems before the hospital closure. Southeast Alaska: A commercial harvester in Juneau was sentenced to prison and fined $20,000 for multiple fishing and wildlife violations.

Drought Watch: A new U.S. Drought Monitor map flags “extreme” to “exceptional” drought across parts of the West, Plains, South and Southeast, with the worst category (D4) showing up in areas of Idaho, Nevada/Utah, Colorado/Nebraska, Texas/Arkansas/Oklahoma/Mississippi and Florida/Georgia/the Carolinas. Medicaid Pressure: CMS is proposing major limits on how states use Medicaid hospital payments, a move that could hit hospitals hard in states where supplemental payments make up most of their funding. GOP Civil War in Washington: Senate Republicans have delayed votes tied to a $1.8B “anti-weaponization” fund and a Trump White House ballroom plan after internal fights. Alaska Connections: UT students are biking from Austin to Anchorage this summer for cancer support, and Alaska Airlines launches its first-ever flight to London Heathrow today. Local/State Notes: Alaska lawmakers approved a statewide ban on polystyrene foam food containers, and Providence Health Plan is ending most insurance business starting in 2027.

Education Energy Relief: Alaska lawmakers approved a new education package that could cover school districts’ annual heating and power costs, with 100% state support starting in 2028, plus energy relief money this year and a teacher loan-forgiveness pilot. Public Safety Overhaul: The Legislature also passed a sweeping 65-page crime and public safety bill, including tougher penalties and changes ranging from mail theft to raising the age of consent to 18, sending it to Gov. Mike Dunleavy after House concurrence. Gas Line Standoff: Regular session adjourned without an LNG deal, teeing up a special session focused on one remaining bill (HB 381) as lawmakers and the governor keep circling the property-tax fight. Travel & Tech: Memorial Day travel demand is expected to hit a record 45 million Americans, while Alaska lawmakers advanced a driver’s license data-sharing bill that could help speed airport security via TSA’s Registered Traveler programs. Other Notables: A statewide ban on polystyrene foam food containers cleared the Legislature, and the U.S. Senate advanced a resolution to curb Trump’s Iran war powers as GOP support fractures.

Juneau Assembly backs out of Eaglecrest gondola: After learning the project’s price ballooned to nearly four times the original estimate, the Assembly voted to divest from Eaglecrest Ski Area’s gondola plan and repay Goldbelt’s $10 million investment—leaving taxpayers on the hook for about $9.5 million after interest. Alaska gasline fight: Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a special session starting Thursday to push his natural gas property-tax break bill, after negotiations stalled in the regular session. Iran war power showdown: In Washington, Senate Republicans are split as votes move to limit Trump’s Iran war powers—part of a broader GOP strain over the conflict. Local public safety and community: The state medical examiner released the cause of death for Anchorage’s Kelly Hunt—hypothermia with alcohol intoxication and extreme cold—while students at Tongass School of Arts and Sciences helped launch new Rotary Beach cleanup stations. Sports: Kayhi’s track and field team posted strong results at the pre-region meet in Juneau.

War Powers Showdown: The U.S. Senate advanced a resolution to force President Trump to end the Iran conflict or get Congress’s OK—an eighth attempt that finally broke through, 50-47, after Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy switched sides following a primary loss. Alaska Politics: In Juneau, lawmakers failed to override Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of a public pension bill, leaving new public employees without pensions again for another year. Gas Prices: AAA reports Memorial Day gas prices are set to be the highest since 2022, with Alaska among the priciest states. Energy & LNG: Dunleavy ordered a special session Thursday focused on property tax breaks for the North Slope gas pipeline, after negotiations stalled. Healthcare Costs: ACA Marketplace benchmark premiums jumped 21.7% in 2026, with Alaska listed among the higher-cost states. Local Justice: A Juneau jury convicted an Alaska man in a commercial fishing case involving fraudulent reporting and untested shellfish, and he was sentenced to 10 years with part suspended.

Alaska Lawmakers: The Alaska Legislature passed two major child-safety measures—SB 178 to expand early intervention for young children by lowering the eligibility threshold, and a “baby box” bill allowing anonymous, safe surrender of infants 21 days old or younger. Public Safety Tech: The FBI is seeking access to nationwide license-plate reader data through private vendors, including coverage in Alaska and other territories—raising fresh privacy questions. Aviation Shockwaves: Spirit Airlines’ sudden collapse is still rippling through summer travel plans, with a lawyer apologizing in court to Americans now “priced entirely out” of air travel. Politics: President Trump endorsed Texas AG Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in a GOP Senate primary runoff. Local/Regional: Juneau-area headlines also include a Ketchikan home baseball series split with Juneau, and a Ketchikan school-closure cost estimate tied to Point Higgins and Fawn Mountain.

Alaska LNG Push: Lawmakers are circling a key LNG pipeline tax deal as the Alaska LNG team tours a proposed export site in Nikiski, with ExxonMobil announcing a preliminary gas supply agreement and partners including POSCO and Donlin Gold watching closely. State Budget & Dividends: Negotiators have landed on a $13.9B operating budget package that includes a $1,000 Permanent Fund dividend and a $200 energy rebate, setting up final votes before the session ends. Greenland Talks: In closed-door U.S.-Greenland-Denmark discussions, Greenland leaders are pushing back on proposals that could lock in long-term U.S. military access and give the U.S. veto power over major investments. Public Safety: Anchorage police say Kelly Hunt died from hypothermia and exposure, with no signs of trauma, while the investigation continues. Environment Watch: A new report says Antarctica’s Hektoria Glacier collapsed and retreated rapidly, raising concerns about similar processes elsewhere. Education Policy: A bill would require the University of Alaska to give 30 days’ notice and itemize fee changes, aiming to boost transparency for students and families.

Louisiana Inspection Vote: Louisiana’s Senate passed HB 1085 to eliminate most vehicle inspection stickers, keeping requirements mainly for commercial and student transportation vehicles, with the bill now headed back to the House. Aurora Watch: NOAA says Monday night’s northern lights could dip farther south than usual, with a Kp index of 5 and a chance of minor geomagnetic storms. Energy Prices & Travel: Memorial Day travel is expected to hit another record—about 45 million Americans—while higher gas and jet-fuel costs tied to the Iran conflict keep pressure on summer budgets. Alaska Politics: Alaska gubernatorial hopeful Matt Heilala says he’s ready to run for governor but can’t file officially without a lieutenant governor running mate, as the June 1 deadline nears. Southeast Fisheries & Mining: A proposed New Polaris gold mine on the Tulsequah River is drawing salmon concerns, with the company saying it will use a lower-chemical approach and safeguards to protect the watershed. Juneau/Local Notes: The Juneau community calendar runs May 18–24, and the city’s cruise season planning continues as Seward’s cruise terminal opening faces delays after inspections.

DNA Mystery Solved in Alaska: A U.S. DNA lab consultant traced a frozen arm and hand found in an Alaska glacier back to a family in Ireland, linking the remains to a 1948 crash and years of dead ends—now pointing to the right person after mitochondrial DNA matching. Alaska Politics: GOP gubernatorial contenders are set to face off in a “family-values” forum in Anchorage this Thursday, aiming to separate candidates with similar conservative talking points. Education & Health: The Alaska Legislature passed a bill to create a mental health curriculum for public schools, giving districts the option to adopt and tailor it. Permanent Fund Update: Lawmakers moved toward a final PFD plan of a $1,000 dividend plus a $200 energy relief rebate. North Slope Energy: First oil has flowed from Santos’ Pikka Phase 1 project, ramping toward 80,000 barrels a day later this year. Community & Culture: A Blackfeet photographer received a major fellowship for a project spotlighting Blackfeet women, sweetgrass restoration, and environmental stewardship.

Trump vs. GOP loyalty: Louisiana’s GOP primary delivered a clear message: Sen. Bill Cassidy is out after Trump-backed rivals won, with Cassidy finishing third and Trump celebrating the “disloyalty” callout that’s now defining survival in the party. Anchorage–military friction: JBER wants a nearly 7-mile, 8-foot-tall barbed-wire fence along base boundaries near Northeast Anchorage, drawing fears about property impacts, wildlife movement, and trail access as the draft plan heads into public comment. Public health alert: Los Angeles County confirmed a fifth measles case tied to an international traveler who arrived at LAX via Alaska Airlines—officials are warning people in the terminal window to check vaccination status and watch for symptoms. Alaska science & nature: A NOAA expedition finally identified a mysterious “golden orb” from the Gulf of Alaska, while aurora forecasts point to wider northern lights viewing this weekend. Schools and demographics: Georgia enrollment reports keep rolling in, including sharp shifts in multiracial, Hispanic, and white student counts at specific schools.

Public Health Alert: Los Angeles County confirmed a 5th measles case in 2026 tied to an international traveler who arrived on Alaska Airlines Flight 1354; anyone at Tom Bradley International Terminal B between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Thursday may have been exposed and should check MMR protection and watch for symptoms through early June. Alaska Politics: With just days left in the session, Juneau lawmakers are racing to craft an Alaska LNG bill that can survive a Dunleavy veto—while critics warn the rushed tax negotiations could spook investors. Local Crime: In Ketchikan, firefighters found two people dead inside a Lincoln Street home after an early-morning fire; the cause is under investigation. Sports & Community: Palmer kicked off spring with Nick Hanson’s “Tater Trot,” mixing a 5K run with Ninja Warrior-style obstacles, while Spokane’s Lilac Festival parade drew thousands despite rain and a shortened route. National Politics: Louisiana voters knocked Sen. Bill Cassidy out of the GOP Senate primary, a reminder of how Trump-backed challengers can punish dissent.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA says Saturday night could bring a brighter aurora (Kp 4) across parts of the northern U.S. and much of Alaska, with Sunday chances dropping (Kp 3). Local School Enrollment Snapshots: Georgia education data shows shifting demographics at multiple schools, including Waldo Pafford Elementary’s 441 African American students (2024-25) and Sterling Elementary’s 192 (27% of enrollment). Ketchikan Library Funding Fight: The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly is set to consider ending its library services agreement with the City of Ketchikan on Monday, after a May 11 postponement. Cruise-Related Access Dispute: A legal battle is heating up at The Mill at Ward Cove, where pedestrian barriers tied to new adjacent development are now part of a dispute involving Norwegian Cruise Line. AI Diplomacy: After Trump’s China trip, he said the U.S. and Xi discussed “guardrails” for AI—vague talk, but a sign of rising pressure over shared tech risk.