Advocates worry ‘big, beautiful’ GOP bill would push Alaskans off Medicaid
Here's what we know so far about the Republican mega bill making it's way through Congress
Jun 26, 2025•3 min
Alaska Economic Report
Alaska Economic Report is a weekly look at the trends, policies and issues that impact your wallet in Alaska. From local businesses, to fiscal policy to big industries like fishing, tourism and oil & gas, we cover the high-stakes economic issues that matter to Alaskans all over the state.
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Episodes
Southeast Alaska's economic boom is great, but only if you have a place to live
Reversing the outmigration of young people is becoming a regular refrain of economists and others who keep an eye on trends.
Jun 19, 2025•5 min
Alaska Morning News: June 19, 2025 7am
Alaska Morning News: June 19, 2025 7am
Jun 19, 2025•3 min
Once a male dominated industry, female tattoo artists are on the rise in Anchorage in Anchorage
If you got a tattoo in Anchorage a few decades ago, you likely visited a male owned shop. But that’s changing. Now, female tattoo artists are easy to find in the state’s largest city.
Jun 12, 2025•4 min
Alaska tourism operators begin the season with one word in mind: uncertainty
From a decline in advanced bookings to low sales, businesses are bracing for a disappointing summer that “could have been great.”
Jun 05, 2025•5 min
Alaska schools need teachers. They’re hiring them from the Philippines.
To keep schools running smoothly, many districts are looking abroad — namely to the Philippines.
May 22, 2025•5 min
A startup in Fox wanted to help fix Alaska’s housing shortage. Then federal funding freezes got in the way.
The company’s goal is in line with President Trump’s attempt to bring manufacturing back to America. But the White House is also freezing and cutting key federal grants.
May 15, 2025•4 min
Alaska Morning News: May 15, 2025 Econ
Alaska Morning News: May 15, 2025 Econ
May 15, 2025•5 min
The Trump administration’s conflicting goals: unleashing Alaska’s resource potential while driving down oil prices
Trump's day-one executive order called for expanded Alaska drilling, but his simultaneous push for lower oil prices has industry experts concerned.
May 01, 2025•5 min
Despair, frustration and uncertainty: Alaska businesses contend with Trump tariffs
Entrepreneurs say the uncertainty they’re facing is potentially just as damaging as the costly tariffs.
Apr 24, 2025•5 min
Joann closure a hit to Alaska's crafting community
For quilters on the Kenai Peninsula, there aren’t many other local options to turn to.
Apr 17, 2025•6 min
Two Anchorage teens are working to inspire philanthropy among peers
For Adam Kaufman and Liam Cuddy the path to charitable giving started at a young age. They hope by getting more youth involved, it’ll bolster the philanthropy scene when they’re adults.
Apr 10, 2025•5 min
Here’s how Alaska businesses are preparing for a Mt. Spurr eruption
Mount Spurr's recent elevation to advisory status has Southcentral Alaska businesses shifting into preparation mode.
Apr 03, 2025•5 min
Anchorage sales tax backers consider next steps
Supporters are disappointed in the assembly vote but aren’t giving up. They will continue the conversation with the Anchorage Assembly after the municipal election April 1.
Mar 27, 2025•5 min
New Ketchikan company aims to kick-start the Alaska kelp industry
Pacific Kelp Co. is working with two university researchers to study the benefits of their kelp extract as fertilizer. If it works, the company hopes it will drive up demand for Alaska products.
Mar 20, 2025•5 min
As Alaska's crab industry struggles, herring fishermen are losing their market
For decades, the Bering Sea herring fishery has provided bait fish for crabbers.
Mar 18, 2025•5 min
Southeast Alaska trail work organizations want to pick up fired Forest Service workers, if they can raise the money
The plan would allow skilled trail workers to continue their work this summer, after half of the U.S. Forest Service trail crews were fired last month by the Trump administration.
Mar 06, 2025•5 min
Hands-on career fair brings resources to rural students
Students practiced tying nautical knots and did team building exercises. While next door in the renewable energy workshop, students wielded thermal imaging cameras.
Feb 27, 2025•5 min
A cannery in Southeast Alaska is at the forefront of America’s tinned fish renaissance
In recent years, the U.S. market for tinned seafood has surged by billions of dollars and boutique branded cans of fish are trending on TikTok. At the head of this swell is a small cannery on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.
Feb 20, 2025•5 min
High prices and low supply: Egg shortage ruffles feathers in Anchorage
The state of the egg-conomy is forcing Anchorage eateries to raise prices and rethink recipes. It has also increased the demand for local farm fresh eggs.
Feb 13, 2025•5 min
An exceptionally dry year stresses Anchorage businesses dependent on snow
Businesses that depend on snow in Anchorage are slimming their workforce and relying on other services to get by this winter.
Feb 06, 2025•5 min
Hydroponics provide year-round growing for Alaska farmers
A small but growing number of farmers in Alaska have taken to an unconventional way of growing greens and herbs – by doing it indoors.
Jan 30, 2025•5 min
Alaska businesses brace for minimum wage hike
Earlier this month, Alaska's minimum wage went up by $0.18 per hour. It'll rise again in July after voters passed Ballot Measure 1 last November.
Jan 23, 2025•4 min
Here’s how the TikTok ban could impact small businesses in Alaska
Last April, President Biden signed a law that allows the government to ban foreign-owned apps that threaten national security. If TikTok isn’t sold by Sunday, it faces a nationwide ban.
Jan 16, 2025•5 min
Lawmakers have big plans for the legislative session but low oil prices are a barrier
Oil prices are down, and that means there's less money for lawmakers to spend during the upcoming 34th Alaska Legislature.
Jan 09, 2025•5 min
Fairbanks lab testing new cold climate heat pump model ahead of grant-funded Alaska rollout
How low can you go - really?
Jan 02, 2025•5 min
Housing advocates look to multigenerational living as a possible solution to Anchorage housing crunch
Finding affordable housing in Anchorage is a challenge, and housing experts are looking for solutions. One idea is making it easier for people to live in multigenerational homes.
Dec 26, 2024•5 min
Advocates say a sales tax would let Anchorage invest in itself
In the current version of the proposal, ⅔ of the revenue would provide property tax relief. The other 1% would go to building new facilities which would be determined by Anchorage voters.
Dec 19, 2024•5 min
New study aims to fill in the data gaps on EV use in rural Alaska
The study doesn’t promote EVs, but aims to better understand their usage in rural Alaska and clarify misconceptions about them.
Dec 12, 2024•5 min
A new study touts the economics of building the Alaska LNG Project. But some lawmakers have doubts.
If it’s built, the full pipeline project would move natural gas from the North Slope to Nikiski, where it'd be prepared for shipment overseas.
Dec 05, 2024•5 min
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