The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis is headed to Juneau as its permanent homeport after its Arctic mission this summer. It’s the first new polar icebreaker in over 25 years.

Congressman Nick Begich is calling recent anti-industry protests “fundraising stunts,” while promoting Alaska’s energy role. He’ll also headline next month’s first-ever Bitcoin Alaska conference in Juneau.

The Trump administration is proposing $9.4 billion in federal budget cuts, targeting public broadcasting and foreign aid, though the plan faces pushback in Congress.

Juneau Parks and Rec is rolling into summer with trail work, playground builds, and swim lessons underway, plus closures at Dimond Park and Augustus Brown Pool.

Exercise ORCA will bring street closures to downtown Juneau in July, check with JPD for details.

And in Sitka, 9-year-old Caleb Gray may have won his second Salmon Derby crown with a 34-pound king salmon.

Three proposed ballot measures backed by the Affordable Juneau Coalition face a signature deadline today.

Supporters must deliver signatures to the city clerk’s office by the close of business to get the initiatives on the ballot.

Citizens can sign any or all of the three petition booklets.

In Sitka, a measure to limit cruise ship traffic has failed at the ballot box.
Unofficial results from Wednesday’s special election show Proposition 1 losing by nearly a 3-to-1 margin.

The citizen-led initiative, supported by Small Town Soul, sought to cap daily visitors at 4,500, limit the season to 300,000 passengers, and require one ship-free day per week.

Absentee ballots will be counted June 2. Final certification is set for June 10.

The City and Borough of Juneau and Tlingit & Haida will host three flood preparedness events at Dimond Park on the next three Saturdays: May 31, June 7, and June 14.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents can pick up free sandbags at the Thunder Mountain Middle School parking lot and get info on flood insurance and property protection.

Alaska’s budget is now on Governor Mike Dunleavy’s desk. He has until June 19 to sign or veto the three bills—covering operating, capital, and mental health spending.

SEARHC is considering building rental housing for employees in Wrangell.

According to the Wrangell Sentinel, plans include developing SEARHC-owned land on Zimovia Highway. Preliminary layouts were presented to the local planning commission earlier this month.

The Wrangell school board has unanimously voted to offer the superintendent job to Joshua Garrett, currently working in Kazakhstan as director of an international school.

A federal judge has upheld Alaska’s restrictions on intoxicating hemp products, ruling they do not violate the U.S. Constitution.

The 2023 regulations, challenged by the Alaska Industrial Hemp Association and ban sales of intoxicating hemp outside licensed marijuana retailers.

The Nick Begich Scholarship Intern Fund has named its 2025–2026 award recipients. Three Juneau students were selected, along with others from Kake and Haines. Since its founding, the program has awarded more than $713,000 to nearly 500 Alaskans. Details are at kinyradio.com.

Perseverance Theatre’s Leslie Ishii has received the 2025 Paul Robeson Award. The national honor, given by the Actors’ Equity Association, recognizes theatre professionals who promote freedom of expression and social responsibility. Ishii is being honored for her work creating theatre by and for Alaskans.

The CBJ Assembly Finance Committee approved a proposed property tax rate of 10.24 mills—up from the current 10.04. Deputy City Manager Robert Barr said the increase addresses two key budget challenges.

Hoonah voters will decide next week whether to form a new borough. If approved, the City of Hoonah would dissolve into a service area under the new borough, which would rely on state funds and sales tax instead of property tax.

Wrangell is in early talks with American Cruise Lines to build a $3 million floating dock. The borough may issue bonds for the project, with costs repaid through docking fees.

Six people were rescued near Warren Island after their boat capsized earlier this week. A Coast Guard helicopter and a nearby vessel responded to the distress call. The group made it safely to shore and was later transported to Coffman Cove. The incident is under investigation.

The Ketchikan School Board is pausing its superintendent search until fall 2025. An interim leader will be appointed for the upcoming year. Current finalist Scott Huff will remain a candidate when the search resumes. The board is also addressing a vacancy following Tom Huette’s resignation.

Kodiak’s House race is taking shape. Republican Sheldon Prout and Democrat Katherine Simpler have filed to replace Rep. Louise Stutes, who’s running for Senate. Prout is a staffer for Vice President JD Vance; Simpler is a longtime educator. The district leans Republican but has a history of bipartisan support.

The Trump administration says it’s time to stop minting pennies.