AGP Executive Report

Arctic Infrastructure: The U.S. Coast Guard is moving to homeport new Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak and Seward, with the first deliveries expected in 2028—another big push for Alaska’s role in northern operations. Climate & Remote Sensing: New research links warmer Alaska summers to longer glacier melt seasons, and shows synthetic aperture radar can track melt from space more consistently than older optical methods. Local Climate Adaptation: Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley glacial outburst flood risk is drawing federal help as USACE works with local partners on mitigation plans. Community & Culture: Fairbanks City Hall got two new murals tied to a biocultural heritage project connecting Alaska Native art with climate-action planning. Health Policy Fight in Alaska: Planned Parenthood is suing to block Alaska’s ban on medication abortion via telehealth/mail-order, arguing it violates privacy and forces travel. Water-Contamination Push: Republican attorneys general, including Alaska’s, are urging the EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant despite health experts saying there’s no harm signal. Salmon Outlook: A new forecast from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute predicts lower 2026 harvests for all five Pacific salmon species, with Bristol Bay sockeye expected to drop sharply. Energy & Data Centers: Avista paused processing for a proposed 500 MW data center request while seeking broader policy and community alignment. STEM/Tech Launches: SperaxOS, an open-source AI agent workspace for DeFi, went public—another sign of fast-moving AI tooling beyond traditional software.

Arctic Infrastructure: The U.S. Coast Guard says Kodiak and Seward will be new homeports for Arctic Security Cutters delivered in 2028, a major boost to Alaska’s icebreaking capacity and local jobs. AI Data Centers: Interior Alaska residents are raising concerns after the Air Force outlined possible land leases for AI data centers near Eielson and other bases, including one site tied to a shuttered school. Glacier Science: New satellite radar research finds Alaska glaciers respond fast to warming—each 1°C rise in summer temperatures can extend melting by about three weeks. Clean Aviation Fuel: Alaska Airlines is set to use sustainable jet fuel from Twelve’s AirPlant One in Moses Lake, the first commercial-scale U.S. plant turning captured CO2 plus renewable power into eSAF. Climate & Health Watch: Reports flag climate-driven increases in bacteria-infected seafood and water, with cases noted in Alaska. Marine Protection: The Trump administration is dismantling Pacific marine monuments, drawing alarms from conservation and Indigenous groups.

Coast Guard & Arctic Security: Kodiak was picked to homeport two new USCG Arctic Security Cutters, with Seward getting the third and a fourth Alaska cutter still unassigned—potentially adding hundreds of jobs and families to the region. Harmful Algae Watch: Alaska communities are tracking harmful algae blooms as warmer conditions boost toxin-producing species like Alexandrium, with no easy “cook it away” fix for paralytic shellfish poisoning. Alaska Fisheries Science: UAF researchers are using Chinook salmon tagging data to help trawl fleets avoid bycatch, while Fish and Game tightened Chilkat River king salmon sport-fishing areas ahead of the June 14 opening. Connectivity for Rural Alaska: GCI will add Starlink bonded gateways to strengthen service in hubs including Bethel, Sitka, Kotzebue, and Dillingham. Ocean Monitoring Policy: The Trump administration is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, raising concerns about long-term ocean data gaps for researchers. Climate & Fire Outlook: Interior Alaska’s wildfire season started mild, but forecasters warn lightning-driven fire risk could spike later in summer.

Ocean Monitoring Cut in Alaska: The NSF has started dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, ending much of a key ocean sensor network early and raising alarms that Alaska and the rest of the U.S. could lose crucial data on warming oceans, marine heat waves, and fisheries. Arctic Security Meets Climate Reality: A Danish researcher warns climate change is making Arctic military operations more complex, not easier, as sea ice loss can mean thinner, out-of-season ice plus more coastal erosion and storm surge risk. El Niño Watch for Alaska: NOAA says El Niño conditions are present and likely to strengthen into a strong event this fall, with potential knock-on effects for weather and ocean impacts. STEM in Alaska Communities: Fairbanks mural work got an NSF-funded boost, and a Pearl Creek STEAM charter appeal is headed to court—both tied to how research and education shape local futures. Invasive Species on the Homer Front: A community effort is monitoring invasive crabs on Homer’s shoreline as Alaska ramps up invasive species awareness and prevention. Aviation Tech Leap: Alaska Airlines is set to use sustainable jet fuel made from CO2 and renewable electricity at Twelve’s AirPlant One facility in Washington, a major step for low-carbon aviation.

Arctic STEM & Fisheries: UAF researchers used 13 years of satellite-tagging data (700,000+ points) to build a model that could help trawlers adjust operations and cut chinook salmon bycatch. Clean Aviation Tech: Alaska Airlines is expected to use sustainable jet fuel from a new Moses Lake plant that turns captured CO2 plus renewable electricity into ASTM-certified jet fuel (E-Jet). Climate & Permafrost Science: Ancient ground-squirrel droppings preserved in Yukon permafrost (up to ~700,000 years old) yielded rich environmental DNA, offering a rare genetic record of vanished Arctic ecosystems. Indigenous Research & Public Space: Fairbanks City Hall mural work is underway, funded by an NSF-backed research partnership linking Indigenous and municipal perspectives in the Arctic. Education/STEAM Governance: A Pearl Creek STEAM charter appeal gets its first hearing in Fairbanks Superior Court, after the district rejected the plan to expand enrollment and resources. Energy Resilience: Yukon Energy’s fish hatchery used helicopter releases to support salmon runs, offsetting losses from dam passage. Defense Innovation: The 11th Airborne Division launched “Angel Ascent,” a Soldier pitch event aimed at Arctic readiness and warfighting transformation.

Arctic River Chemistry: Alaska’s rivers are turning rust-orange as permafrost thaws, releasing iron and changing sulfur chemistry and microbes—research links the shift to thaw-driven iron flux, not spills. Wildlife Safety Infrastructure: A global push to reconnect habitat is accelerating wildlife crossings (underpasses/overpasses) plus fencing to cut deadly road collisions and fragmentation. Geothermal Build-Out: Fervo Energy promoted Sarah Jewett to COO as geothermal development ramps up, including experience tied to Alaska’s North Slope. North Slope Oil Moves: APA Corporation agreed to buy Savant Alaska for about $70M, adding Badami facilities and the Nutaaq Pipeline to support 2026–2027 exploration and appraisal. Transboundary Mining Fight: B.C.’s proposed Polaris gold mine near the Tulsequah/Taku watershed faces Alaska opposition over potential impacts to salmon and fisheries. STEM in Alaska Communities: Alaska’s Large Animal Research Station at UAF opens for summer tours, spotlighting muskox, reindeer, and wood bison research and outreach. Rural Energy Pressure: Alaska News Nightly reports fuel costs are spiking for remote communities, with University of Alaska estimates tying each $1 fuel increase to major regional economic losses.

Rural Energy Crunch: University of Alaska estimates say every $1 jump in average fuel costs drains about $100M from rural economies; with Bethel seeing first fuel barge prices around $9/gal and AVEC warning its fuel tab could be 60% higher than last year, communities from Nome to Kotzebue are bracing for another tough season. STEM in the Classroom: Alaska-linked education momentum shows up in a $25M gift to expand rural- and Indigenous-focused medical training via WWAMI, plus UAF’s Large Animal Research Station opening for summer tours at muskox, reindeer, and wood bison herds. Alaska Research & Field Science: Fairbanks is getting a new City Hall mural celebrating lands, waters, languages, and living traditions with Alaska Native artists and ARCA researchers, while UAF’s LARS adds hands-on learning for the public. Policy & Tech Signals: OpenAI is discussing a Public Wealth Fund idea to seed AI growth with broad public ownership, and a new heat-pump patent targets frost-related heating failures—both big themes for Alaska’s climate and infrastructure needs. Energy & Industry Watch: A DOE coal modernization grant could send up to $350M to Mt. Storm, underscoring how federal energy funding continues to reshape regional power plans.

Arctic Climate Research: A new study finds Arctic river deltas store about 5% of the world’s permafrost carbon even though they cover ~1% of permafrost area, raising alarms as thawing accelerates. Indigenous-Led Science Partnerships: The Arctic ACTION Workshop in Utqiaġvik brought together researchers and community leaders to co-produce solutions for flooding, erosion, and permafrost thaw. Ocean Monitoring Loss in Alaska: The NSF’s plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative threatens to create a deep-ocean “blind spot” for fisheries, coastal hazards, and climate tracking—data may remain accessible, but real-time streams will go dark. STEM Policy & Classrooms: The Philippines’ DepEd is moving forward with classroom AI, now shifting focus to safety controls for GenAI use. Tech & Connectivity: GOCare named Patrick Kelly CTO to push AI-powered digital customer experience for broadband operators, and Wizz Air announced free Starlink Wi‑Fi across its fleet. Space Science: A new Gemini image captures the “Crystal Ball Nebula,” showing the dramatic throes of a dying star.

Arctic Energy & Climate: A federal lease sale in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve drew only 72,000 acres of new leases out of nearly 689,000 offered, raising fresh doubts about how eager industry is to drill in the Arctic. Weather & Forecasting Tech: Researchers propose cheap, locally run balloon-borne sensors to fill the Arctic “weather gap,” aiming to improve forecasts for storms, flooding, and wildfire smoke. Space & Science Imaging: NOIRLab captured a new “Crystal Ball Nebula” image with Gemini North, giving a sharper look at a dying star’s planetary nebula phase. Public Health Tech: The VA is resuming its Electronic Health Record rollout, with new go-lives in Ohio and Kentucky and more deployments scheduled, including Anchorage. STEM in Alaska Communities: Fairbanks is getting an NSF-funded climate adaptation mural led by Alaska Native artists, and KUCB spoke with Alaska Volcano Observatory geologists about Makushin’s eruption history and Unalaska risks. Marine Research: Alaska Whale Foundation researchers are studying why gray whales are surging into Sitka Sound during herring spawn, and UAF oceanographer Russ Hopcroft helped confirm dozens of new deep-sea species on a recent expedition. Aviation Connectivity: Southwest is preparing to turn on high-speed Starlink Wi‑Fi on its planes, joining Alaska Airlines in faster in-flight internet.

Data Centers & Manufacturing: A surge in AI-driven data center construction is pulling in new orders for specialized manufacturers, with companies reporting rapid revenue growth and even creating dedicated data-center units. Rural Education Planning: Yukon officials are weighing three replacement sites for École Whitehorse Elementary after public input from 2,200 people, balancing neighborhood preferences with cost and municipal steps. Ocean Monitoring in Alaska: The Alaska Marine Community Coalition warns that dismantling parts of the Ocean Observatories Initiative could cut long-term ocean data used for fisheries and climate impacts, including the Gulf of Alaska’s Ocean Station Papa. Health Funding in Alaska: Alaska health officials have advanced 400+ projects for the Rural Health Transformation Program after reviewing nearly 1,800 proposals tied to federal Medicaid changes. Alaska LNG Costs: Glenfarne released updated Alaska LNG cost estimates, putting the full project at $44.5B–$54.5B and renewing pressure over tax-break terms and cost-overrun risk. Seafood Supply Chain: Captain D’s is rolling out Alaska wild-caught pollock in signature menu items, aiming to meet customer demand for U.S.-sourced seafood.

Ocean Monitoring in Jeopardy: Alaska’s fisheries and weather forecasting could take a hit as the Trump administration moves to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, with NSF planning to remove instruments from multiple sites including Ocean Station Papa in the Gulf of Alaska, raising alarms that long-term ocean data will be lost just as El Niño ramps up. Rural Health Tech & Funding: Alaska health officials narrowed 1,800 proposals to just over 400 for the Rural Health Transformation Program, aiming to distribute $272M across clinics, hospitals, tribes, and local governments to shore up access as Medicaid work requirements reshape coverage. Alaska LNG Watch: Glenfarne released updated Alaska LNG cost estimates—project total $44.5B to $54.5B, pipeline $13.2B to $16.9B—while lawmakers press for details and debate tax-break terms. Beringia Biodiversity: New research highlights bird diversity across Beringia, where long-term isolation and migration patterns help explain why many species are endemic to the region. Arctic Climate Signals: Studies link permafrost thaw to rust-orange rivers in northern Alaska, tracing iron release to thawing pyrite-rich rock and low-oxygen wetland processes. Space/Tech Policy: A push for government involvement in AI ownership is back in the spotlight, with reports that the U.S. could consider equity stakes in leading AI firms.

Arctic Climate Watch: New research links Alaska’s “rust orange” rivers to permafrost thaw, showing two pathways—pyrite breakdown in uplands and low-oxygen wetland microbes releasing dissolved iron—raising concerns for fish, food systems, and downstream communities. Earthquake Science: Thousands of newly cataloged small quakes reveal the razor-sharp edge of the Yakutat microplate beneath south-central Alaska, mapped using machine learning on seismic data. Ocean Monitoring Under Threat: The U.S. is shutting down a $368M deep-ocean observation network, with instruments being removed from areas including off Alaska—scientists warn this will weaken tracking of greenhouse gases, marine heat waves, and major ocean circulation. Space & Navigation Security: Scientists report Russian-linked GPS interference across parts of Europe, highlighting how satellite navigation is becoming a strategic target. STEM Policy & Funding: Alaska’s broader tech-and-research landscape also faces shifting federal priorities, including major moves affecting climate and ocean science.

Arctic Ocean Science: The U.S. is dismantling the $368M Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing 900+ deep-ocean instruments off Oregon, Alaska, Washington, and more—scientists warn it will weaken monitoring of marine heat, currents, and carbon uptake. Climate & Wildlife: Gray whales are struggling as warming and food shortages push more animals inland and into rivers, with recent cases tied to malnourishment. Earthquakes & Alaska Geology: Thousands of small quakes mapped by a machine-learning workflow outline a razor-sharp boundary of the Yakutat microplate as it subducts beneath North America. Arctic Policy Watch: An Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale drew only limited interest—just nine bids covering about 10% of tracts—undercutting claims of a drilling boom. Local STEM/Tech & Community: Anchorage is expanding its partnership with Tyler Technologies to modernize city payment systems, while Ketchikan deferred a dock expansion design decision and Circle Seafoods gears up for another salmon season with Metlakatla’s packing operation. Research Participation: Darwin’s Ark is recruiting more cat owners nationwide, including Alaska, for a genetics and behavior study.

Arctic Climate Risk: A new Yukon study finds tourism operators often “normalize” permafrost thaw even as it destabilizes roads and heritage sites, leaving a growing awareness gap as summer travel increases. Ocean Monitoring in Jeopardy: The NSF plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing 900+ instruments off Alaska and the Pacific Northwest—an abrupt hit to climate and ocean tracking. Solar & Space Weather: NOAA reports a geomagnetic storm tied to solar coronal mass ejections, with auroras potentially visible farther south than usual and minor impacts to tech like GPS and satellites. Wildfire Watch (NW Alaska): The Kopshesut Fire near Ambler grew to about 500 acres and moved toward the Kobuk River, with crews using smokejumpers, planes, and air tankers. Subsistence vs. Policy: A federal move restricts caribou cow harvest in northwestern Alaska amid Western Arctic Caribou Herd decline, adding pressure to already tight subsistence seasons. Alaska LNG Politics: A “Build the Line” rally in Fairbanks pushes for Alaska LNG tax breaks as Glenfarne’s project faces skepticism. Seismic Safety: UAF’s engineering building seismometers are highlighted as a rare multi-level monitoring setup in Interior Alaska. Fisheries Conflict: Alaska’s Board of Fish salmon protections for Western Alaska face legal challenges after the AG stepped in, reigniting subsistence-commercial tensions.

Arctic Science Partnership: A new NSF-funded Arctic ACTION effort in Utqiaġvik is pairing Indigenous and Western knowledge to tackle flooding, erosion, and permafrost thaw in Arctic coastal communities. Wildfire Watch: The Kopshesut Fire near Ambler has grown to about 500 acres, with crews using smokejumpers, aircraft, and containment efforts as winds shift. Subsistence vs. Management: Federal regulators restricted Western Arctic caribou cow harvests, including limits on non-local hunters, as the herd continues to decline. Fisheries Policy Fight: Alaska’s Board of Fish salmon protections for Western Alaska are being challenged after the acting AG invalidated the board’s restrictions, setting up potential legal action. Seismology in Schools: UAF’s engineering learning building now uses seismometers at multiple floors to track how earthquakes shake tall structures in Interior Alaska. Marine Tech for Whales: A cruise partnership will host a marine mammal observer aboard an Alaska-bound ship to help crews reduce whale strike risk using onboard monitoring. Ocean Monitoring Cutbacks: Reports highlight the removal of deep-sea sensors and moorings tied to climate and ocean monitoring, raising concerns for forecasting and research. Energy & Environment: A controversial ANWR lease sale drew limited interest, while federal regulators also moved on caribou—showing how wildlife decisions are driving Alaska’s science-and-policy headlines.

Ocean Monitoring Cuts: The Trump administration is removing parts of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, including stations off the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, threatening long-running climate and ocean data streams. Alaska Salmon Policy Clash: The Alaska Board of Fish restricted an Aleutian commercial fleet to protect Western Alaska salmon, but the acting attorney general invalidated the measures—setting up possible legal fights ahead of the June 6 opener. River Change Research: An Alaska Science Forum report highlights a growing Southwest Alaska problem: shifting river breakup patterns on the Kuskokwim and Aniak are stranding residents, and a UAF team is partnering with Native communities to study what’s changing. Arctic Microbes Revived: Scientists revived ancient microbes frozen in Arctic permafrost for thousands of years, using samples from Alaska and Siberia to understand how life rebounds after long dormancy. STEM Education in Alaska: UAS won final state approval for a new Indigenous language master’s program to expand the certified teacher pipeline. Wildlife Fieldwork: Manomet researchers are tracking endangered whimbrels on Alaska’s North Slope using GPS tags to understand migration risks. Health & Environment: Alaska communities are dealing with toxic algae blooms as warming waters increase harmful species like Alexandrium.