Seward Public Radio

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

Coast Guard adds Seward to list for new icebreakers

In April the United States Coast Guard announced two new Arctic Security Cutters would be homeported in Alaska.

This week an additional USCG cutter based in Seward was revealed, with two others to be based out of Kodiak.

The destination homeport for a fourth was not specified.

This order of 4 cutters is due to be delivered from a Finnish shipbuilder to the USCG by the end of 2028, so the communities can expect to see them in port sometime over the next couple years.

According to the funded Federal program, a further 7 Arctic Security Cutters (medium polar icebreakers) may be ordered from U.S. shipbuilders.

This will increase the footprint of the USCG in Seward, already the homeport of the new minted Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter Frederick Mann.

The permanent status of the Frederick Mann in Seward is awaiting some $50-million in infrastructure improvements. According to U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, the $50-million has already been secured “for the shoreside infrastructure."

https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4514462/us-coast-guard-advances-arctic-security-with-kodiak-and-seward-homeports/

https://www.kmxt.org/news/2026-02-19/newest-coast-guard-cutter-is-third-in-kodiak-sixth-total-statewide

The three icebreakers are expected to be delivered starting in 2028, but it’s unknown exactly when the necessary housing and on-shore infrastructure will be completed to host the vessels permanently.

06/05/2026

To***co Bill Heads To Governor After Debate Over Vapes, Military Exemptions, and Cigar Lounges

The Alaska State Legislature has approved a sweeping to***co bill that would impose the state’s first tax on electronic ci******es and va**ng products, raise the legal to***co purchase age to 21, and legalize cigar lounges.

Senate Bill 24 passed during the final day of the legislative session and now heads to Governor Mike Dunleavy. If signed into law, the new v**e taxes would take effect January first, twenty twenty-eight.

Supporters say the measure modernizes Alaska’s to***co laws and addresses growing concerns about youth ni****ne addiction.

Representative Andy Josephson of Anchorage said the bill creates parity between traditional to***co products and electronic ci******es by taxing and regulating both.

Under the legislation, va**ng products would face a new 25 percent retail tax. Alaska law would also formally align with a 2019 federal law that raised the to***co purchasing age to 21 nationwide.

State health data shows 17 percent of Alaska high school students reported using e-ci******es or va**ng products in 2023, down from 26 percent in 2019.

Lawmakers also added a provision legalizing cigar lounges through a floor amendment offered by Representative Kevin McCabe of Big Lake. The amendment narrowly passed despite objections from some lawmakers who argued it conflicted with the bill’s public health goals.

Another proposed amendment that would have exempted active-duty military members ages 19 and 20 from underage to***co penalties failed to pass.

The Department of Revenue estimates the new v**e tax could generate between $1.3 and $33 million annually.

Governor Dunleavy has not yet announced whether he plans to sign or veto the measure.

Seward Public Radio | Juneau | Dorene Lorenz.

06/04/2026

Sullivan Says Alaska Seeing Largest Military Build-Up Since World War II

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan says Alaska is experiencing what could be the largest military build-up in the state since World War Two.

Speaking Thursday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Sullivan highlighted billions of dollars in military investment now flowing into Alaska,
including a $7 billion recapitalization project at JBER that he says could create roughly 4,000 private-sector jobs.

Sullivan also pointed to plans for multiple Coast Guard icebreakers to be homeported in Alaska as the nation increases its focus on Arctic security and competition with Russia and China.

The senator attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the expansion of NSA Alaska, a National Security Agency operation based at JBER. The expansion increases staffing from about 400 to roughly 500 personnel.

According to Sullivan, the Alaska operation includes Russian language specialists, cryptologists, and Arctic intelligence analysts focused heavily on Russian military activity in the North.

The expansion comes as Alaska continues to grow in strategic importance due to its proximity to Russia and the increasing military and shipping activity across the Arctic.

For communities like Seward, increased Arctic investment could eventually translate into additional marine traffic, port infrastructure opportunities, and expanded Coast Guard operations tied to northern security missions.

Sullivan called the expansion good news for national security and Alaska’s economy, while describing it as “bad news for Russia.”

Seward Public Radio | Juneau | Dorene Lorenz

06/03/2026

Civics Education Bill Heads To Governor After Strong Bipartisan Support

Alaska high school students could soon be required to complete civics education before graduation under a bill passed by lawmakers in the final hours of this year’s legislative session.

Senate Bill 23 passed the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support and is now before Governor Mike Dunleavy for consideration.

The measure would require students to demonstrate knowledge of government, citizenship, and civic responsibilities by either completing a semester-long civics course, passing a civics exam, or finishing a project-based civics assessment.

The measure would require students to demonstrate knowledge of government, citizenship and civic responsibilities by either completing a semester-long civics course, passing a civics exam or finishing a project-based civics assessment.
Supporters say the bill comes at a critical time as public trust in government continues to decline nationwide.

Senate President Gary Stevens, a Republican from Kodiak and the bill’s sponsor, has said the goal is to strengthen understanding of democratic institutions and encourage informed civic participation among young Alaskans.

Under the proposal, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development would provide free curriculum resources covering topics such as the U.S.

Constitution, Alaska’s Constitution, federalism, civil rights, elections, political parties, foreign policy, and Alaska Native systems of governance.

Under the proposal, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development would provide free curriculum resources covering topics such as the U.S. Constitution, Alaska’s Constitution, federalism, civil rights, elections, political parties, foreign policy, and Alaska Native systems of governance.

The bill passed by a combined legislative vote of 57 to 3.

Governor Dunleavy has not yet announced whether he will sign the measure, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

Seward Public Radio | Juneau | Dorene Lorenz

06/02/2026

Interstate Licensing Compacts Could Expand Rural Health Access In Alaska

House Bill 110 would make it easier for certain out-of-state medical professionals to become licensed in Alaska through interstate compacts. The legislation applies to doctors, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, and emergency medical personnel.

House Bill 110 would make it easier for certain out-of-state medical professionals to become licensed in Alaska through interstate compacts. The legislation applies to doctors, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers and emergency medical personnel.

The move is tied to Alaska’s participation in the federal Rural Health Transformation Program created under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

State health officials told federal agencies that Alaska would pursue the interstate agreements as part of its application for a share of $50 billion in nationwide rural health funding. Alaska could receive more than one billion dollars over five years.

Supporters say the legislation could help address long-standing workforce shortages, especially in remote communities where recruiting health care providers remains difficult.

But some lawmakers raised concerns about surrendering state authority over professional licensing standards.

Senator Cathy Giessel of Anchorage said Alaska’s unique geography and medical needs require local oversight rather than shared national standards.

Lawmakers also passed House Bill 195, which would allow pharmacists to treat certain minor and chronic conditions. Supporters say the measure could improve access to care in underserved communities where physicians are limited.

Both bills are now before Governor Mike Dunleavy for his consideration.

Seward Public Radio | Juneau | Dorene Lorenz.

06/02/2026

HB 1: Specie as Legal Tender officially became law on Friday!

Beginning August 28th, consumers and businesses will have the option to exchange specie (gold or silver coins and bullion) as legal tender in Alaska and exempts their exchange from taxation!

I was proud to carry SB 162, its companion bill, through the Senate, but it was truly a team effort. I would like to thank Rep. Kevin McCabe and his team for sponsoring HB 1, the Sound Money Defense League, Governor Dunleavy, my colleagues, and everyone who helped get this bill across the finish line!

HB 1/SB 162 aligns Alaska with the U.S. Constitution’s recognition of gold and silver as legal tender. Simply put, it treats money as money. Alaska’s rich history in gold and precious metals continues to grow with the enactment of HB 1!

06/01/2026

Car chase suspect apprehended

The suspect in a car theft and chase was apprehended in the 8 a.m. hour Monday morning after an extended search of the Exit Glacier area near Seward.

The pursuit began Sunday afternoon beyond Cooper Landing and the trail ended on Herman Leirer Road, also known as Exit Glacier Road, where the suspect ditched the vehicle and fled on foot into the wild.

The suspect, described as a 6-foot-tall adult male with red hair, a red beard, and a black jacket, was apprehended Monday morning, exhibiting signs of exposure.

Local first responders were on scene at mile 3.5 of Herman Leirer Road at 8:34 a.m. to medically evaluate the suspect, who then remained in Alaska State Trooper custody for transport.

He will be booked by AST on various charges after a visit to the hospital.