AGP Executive Report

Local Arts & Community: Homer’s Taste of Homer is teaming up with First Friday for a combined Sept. 4 art-and-food crawl, with five participating art stops (Bunnell Street Arts, Art Shop Gallery, Homer Council on the Arts, Pratt Museum, Grace Ridge Brewing) plus themed bites from local restaurants. Music Festival: Lowell Point’s Miller’s Landing and Blackwater Railroad are reviving the “Burning Moose” spirit with a bigger Burning Moose music-and-arts festival on Sept. 6, including a symbolic effigy build and fire. Arts in Anchorage: The Anchorage Weekender highlights First Friday gallery openings plus the Anchorage Press Party, marking the return of the alternative newspaper with live music, food, and a silent auction. Film & TV (Alaska connection): Joe Swanberg’s Alaska-set romcom “The Sun Never Sets” is getting attention for its messy love triangle and Anchorage backdrop, while CBS also drops first photos for Mark Harmon’s Gibbs return in “NCIS: Origins” Season 3. Wildlife Education: Alaska Public Media spotlights Bird TLC’s snowy owl “Frost” and the center’s shift toward positive reinforcement training for ambassador birds. Sports (Anchorage-area): Dimond’s flag football team rolls past Wasilla 46-6, and Kodiak’s home opener weekend kicks off with cross country and football.

UAMN & UAF Planetarium: The University of Alaska Museum of the North is rotating exhibits fast—Marian “Jo” Going’s plein-air works are wrapping up, a new rockfish-aging science display is coming, and “Sounding Rockets” is live in the Babula Planetarium lobby. Anchorage Arts Calendar: This week’s First Friday-style lineup includes an Anchorage Press launch party, an “Occupied” art show with live performance, a Palmer flower-farm field-to-vase dinner tour, and a Fleetwood Mac candlelight tribute. Palmer State Fair Finale: The last weekend of the Alaska State Fair runs Thursday–Monday with cosplay, a drone show, a giant cabbage weigh-off, and major Borealis Theatre acts. IGCA Photo Exhibit: Anchorage artist Ted Kincaid debuts a trauma-and-healing photo series using macro shots and G.I. Joe figures, running through September. Sports Spotlight: Dimond’s state-champion Lynx are off to a strong start after returning from Utah, led by Anayah Sila. Movie Watch: “The Sun Never Sets” keeps the romcom love-triangle energy going, with Dakota Fanning and Jake Johnson. Cruise Disruption: Royal Caribbean canceled an Alaska sailing after passengers boarded due to repairs taking longer than expected.

Alaska Arts & Culture: Juneau’s 32nd annual Harvest Fair returns this weekend at the Juneau Community Garden, with a farmers market, self-guided tours, kids activities, live music, and a juried flower/produce show. Local Entertainment & Community: Kodiak Rodeo and State Fair kicks off Friday with concerts, 4-H events, and rodeo action across Labor Day weekend. Museums & Wildlife Storytelling: Illustrator Annie Chen won the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s 2026 Bull-Bransom Award for “Salmon Run: An Epic Journey to the Ocean and Back,” blending nature accuracy with dreamy visuals. Public Media & Tech for Alaska: UAF drone program directors say autonomous drones could help with fire protection and reconnaissance during wildfire season. Sports (Alaska): West Anchorage takes over the No. 1 spot in Alaska high school football Massey Ratings, edging out Soldotna as Week 4 matchups loom. Transportation & Travel: AMHS funding was announced, including major support for operations and a vessel replacement design—plus terminal upgrades and reservation system modernization.

Alaska Art & Exhibits: Anchorage’s Bear Gallery is hosting two September shows: Amy Noon’s oil paintings in “Window to my Soul” and Kristin Link’s field-sketch-led “Drawn in Place,” both running Sept. 4–26 with a free First Friday opening reception (5–7 p.m.). Spooky Theater: The Ren Theatre’s adults-only Halloween hit “Nosferatu: The Citadel” returns as a 360-degree vampire spectacle (opens Friday, runs through Nov. 7), with the VBar aftershow featuring live music and rotating drag performers. Local Culture & Community: Anchorage artist Duke Russell is profiled for his long-running Spenard-focused art and his habit of sharing food with people experiencing homelessness. Fairbanks Downtown Life: A key stretch of Lacey Street will stay closed to cars through winter as the city continues its “Starter Block” push for small businesses, sports, and performances. Sports Spotlight: Nome Dance Project blends contemporary and Alaska Native dance styles in a finale featuring Unalakleet and Chicago collaborators. Wildlife Story: A Washington man survived a rare brown bear attack while hunting caribou near the Arctic Circle, recovering after emergency care and a long medical transfer.

Alaska Sports & Community: South Anchorage, Colony, and Dimond are off to perfect starts in the early 2026 Alaska high school flag football Super 10 rankings, while Ketchikan’s basketball season kicks off with a Back-to-School Skills Camp featuring UAA’s new head coach Cameron Turner. Local Arts & Entertainment: In Ketchikan, Drewber’s Donuts opened this summer and is already building community through specials and local partnerships. Film & Culture (Anchorage on screen): Joe Swanberg’s rom-dramedy “The Sun Never Sets” lands in Anchorage-set love-triangle territory starring Dakota Fanning and Jake Johnson. Music Spotlight (tragic update): The Nelons plane crash final report says a mix of weather and pilot distraction led to the July 2024 crash en route to a Gaither Music Cruise to Alaska. Alaska Politics (watch): Mary Peltola’s path in the U.S. Senate race clarifies after Democrat David Leslie withdraws, moving the contest to Peltola vs. three Republicans. Health & Awareness: Alaska Airlines debuts its first-ever International Business Class suites on the 787-9, while National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month highlights Melissa Methven’s grief-focused book “The Truth Behind the Smiles.”

Alaska Politics: Former Gov. hopeful Tom Begich has withdrawn from the November ballot, backing Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins to consolidate Democrats after Alaska’s ranked-choice general election setup. Ballot Drama: Former Alaska AG Treg Taylor was disqualified after Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom declined to certify his nomination, citing a failure to fully disclose tenant names tied to an Anchorage property. Local Tech & Policing: Anchorage Assembly members and police leaders clash over new surveillance technology rules, with a Tuesday meeting set to debate how much control the city should give APD over emerging tools. Sports Spotlight: The Rewind highlights Week 3 Alaska high school football shakeups, plus UAA and UAF volleyball standouts at the Seawolf Invite. Community & Culture: Alaska Broadcasters Association honors Kim Williams as Broadcaster of the Year and will induct J.R. Lewis into its Hall of Fame. Travel/Leisure: Holland America brings Australian and New Zealand advisors on an Alaska famil, while a separate report notes cruise lines are leaning harder into Gen Z wellness and spa-style recovery.

Alaska Politics: Pressure is building for a consolidated GOP ticket in the Alaska governor’s race as a Monday withdrawal deadline nears, with former AG Treg Taylor urging Bernadette Wilson and Dave Bronson to combine forces after Tom Begich dropped out and endorsed Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. Elections & Voting Rights: A court fight over Trump’s anti-mail voting order is getting uneven support from Republican attorneys general, with Alaska among the GOP states not signing on. Local Sports: Nikiski’s Shayna P. Memorial Volleyball Tournament kicked off the season with teams including Kenai, Wasilla, Soldotna, Barrow and the host Bulldogs. Community & Culture: The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ weekly legislative roundup notes no new bills this week, while Juneau’s court handed down a 35-year sentence for Sebastian Leorna in a sexual abuse case. Travel & Entertainment: “The Sun Never Sets” lands in theaters, set in Alaska and starring Dakota Fanning and Jake Johnson. Arts & Media: Points North Institute announced its 2026 Artist Programs and Points North Forum ahead of the Camden International Film Festival. Food Buzz: Candy-inspired menu items keep rolling out, from Nerds milkshakes to Sour Patch Kids lemonade.

Misinformation Crackdown: Nepal’s flood response is getting tangled in fake and AI-made disaster clips, prompting the Nepal Press Council to open a special portal and order 72 users to remove misleading posts. Reality Check for Alaskans: One widely shared “glacier flood” video tied to Nepal was actually filmed in Alaska’s Columbia Glacier. Travel Tech Safety: A reminder for flyers: portable chargers are allowed, but they can pose fire risks—know the rules before you pack. Rural Health Watch: A $50B rural healthcare program is facing calls for more transparency as oversight can lag behind fast-spending deadlines. Local Arts & Community: Fairbanks’ Fungi Festival returns for its fifth year, blending art, food, and science for mushroom lovers. Music in Alaska: Twisted Sister’s new era kicks off with Sebastian Bach, with a Palmer stop set for Sept. 4. Cruise News: Holland America is adding Nootka Sound to its 2028 Alaska lineup. Sports: Lathrop starts 3-0 after beating South Anchorage 27-16; UW volleyball opens 3-0 at home. Tragedy: A small plane crash near Seldovia Slough killed four, including former Bethel mayor Eric Middlebrook and three Bay Area residents.

Aviation Tragedy: A small Piper PA-24 crash into the Seldovia Slough killed former Bethel mayor Eric Middlebrook and three Bay Area passengers—Ronald Schmidt, Lance Schmidt, and Daniel Simons—after responders waited for the tide to recover the submerged wreck. Local Arts: Juneau is staging “Kutulagaaw: The Tlingit-Russian Battles,” a Tlingit-language opera about the 1802/1804 clashes, running Sept. 11–20 after a lighting failure forced a venue change. Art Spotlight: Anchorage-area audiences can catch painter Amy Noon’s “Window to my Soul,” built from extreme-closeup botanical photos, opening Sept. 4 at Bear Gallery. Streaming & Pop Culture: HBO Max’s “Lanterns” returns with Episode 3 on Sunday at 5 p.m. Alaska time. Community & Safety: Alaska’s Public Safety Report updates charges and incidents statewide, including DUI-related cases. Sports: Soldotna fell to Star Valley 35–28 in a marquee matchup, while UAA and high school action filled the weekend slate.

Alaska Politics: Tom Begich is suspending his Alaska governor campaign and endorsing Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, saying the race would require millions more than his team can raise. Anchorage Public Safety: Police say a woman shot and killed in a downtown standoff was armed with a BB gun made to look real, and another East Anchorage incident ended with an officer shooting a man who was walking away with a gun. Arts & Community: Ketchikan Indian Community opened the Yee gu.aa yax xˈwán Permanent Supportive Housing facility, with Native art and ceremonies marking the milestone. Music & Live Shows: Twisted Sister’s reunion run with Sebastian Bach includes an Alaska State Fair stop in Palmer. Sports: UAA volleyball’s Lee Ivakina says she’s “hitting her stride” after a strong start, while Soldotna fell 35-28 to top-ranked Star Valley. Cruises & Travel: Norwegian and other lines are rolling out Labor Day cruise sales, with deals and second-guest promos highlighted for Alaska travelers.

Alaska Politics: Tom Begich has suspended his Alaska governor campaign and endorsed fellow Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a move that could force Democrats to consolidate behind one ticket as the general election field reshapes. Native Community & Housing: Ketchikan Indian Community celebrated the grand opening of Yee gu.aa yax xˈwán, a new 28-unit Permanent Supportive Housing facility, with elders set to move in this September and Native art filling the space. Music & Live Shows: Metal icon Dave Mustaine says he’s pushing through health setbacks for what he calls his final tour, with Megadeth’s last run including dates opening for Iron Maiden. Arts in Anchorage: “Everyday Anchorage” at the Anchorage Museum pairs Duke Russell’s paintings with Ward Wells’ historic photos, running through August 2027. Sports: Bartlett rallied late to beat West Valley 28-10 in Fairbanks, with Sithri Fainuulelei and Colt Jardine driving the comeback. Local Culture: London-based Floating Poets brought music to the Kenai Peninsula, playing community shows and running a drama camp with support from the Alaska State Council on the Arts.

Alaska Arts & Culture: Anchorage Museum’s “Everyday Anchorage” pairs Duke Russell’s whimsical landmark paintings with Ward Wells’ vintage photos, running through August 2027. Live Entertainment: Emmy winner Nick Offerman brings his dry wit and music to the Alaska State Fair Sunday at 1 p.m. Music on the Road: London-based Floating Poets returned to the Kenai Peninsula for shows in Soldotna, Kenai’s Triumvirate Theatre, and Ninilchik’s Salmonfest—supported by the Alaska State Council on the Arts and local musicians. Local Media: Ohana Media Group Alaska names Cat Okegawa VP/GM overseeing six Anchorage-area radio stations starting Sept. 1. Sports & Community: Colony and Palmer stage a rare cross-town “Battle of Bogard,” complete with a new in-game bell tradition. Big Picture (Alaska-relevant): A federal appeals court dealt a blow to prediction markets in a Nevada sports-contract case, while the Trump administration speeds up environmental review for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System renewal.

Alaska Media Leadership: Cat Okegawa has been named VP/GM for Ohana Media Group Alaska, overseeing six Anchorage/Mat-Su stations starting Sept. 1. Local Arts & Film: “The Sun Never Sets” lands a sensitive love-triangle review, with Dakota Fanning starring in Joe Swanberg’s return to Anchorage-set drama. Sports (UAA): UAA opened at home with a come-from-behind volleyball win over Texas Woman’s University at the Alaska Airlines Center, powered by Kyana Gabriel’s 11 kills in a key second set. Sports (Kodiak): Kodiak swimming and diving is rebuilding around a more evenly matched roster as the Bears kick off their season with a home meet vs. Wasilla. Community & Culture: A new Alaska Airlines push grows Seattle as a bigger international hub, adding routes like Seattle–Athens. Public Lands & Environment: Conservation groups are urging more time for public comment on a federal move to rescind the Roadless Rule, citing impacts across millions of acres. Music/Live: Twisted Sister’s upcoming Alaska show (Sept. 4 in Palmer) is set as Sebastian Bach officially steps in as frontman. Weather/Policy: Homer Rep. Sarah Vance asks Alaska officials to press for an immediate halt to Kenai Peninsula cloud-seeding after Rainmaker’s drone operations. Crime & Justice: A Nome jury convicted Isaac Ozenna Sr. on 28 counts of sexual abuse of nine children across decades.

Broadcast Leadership: Ohana Media Group promoted Cat Okegawa to VP/GM for its Alaska stations, overseeing six Anchorage/Mat-Su outlets and continuing to lead sales. Sports Spotlight: KTUU’s 907 Sports checks in with Super Bowl champ Brandon Pili ahead of his Seahawks season, plus a Week 3 high school football preview. Community Journalism: KYUK, Alaska Public Media and KNBA won a national Edward R. Murrow award for collaborative coverage of ex-typhoon Halong’s impact on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Outdoor & Local Culture: The Kenai chamber canceled the Silver Salmon Derby due to poor silver runs, while ADF&G kept the Kenai coho limit at two fish through November. Safety & Tragedy: Alaska identified four men killed in a small plane crash near Seldovia, including former Bethel mayor Eric Middlebrook. Family News: An Anchorage mobile home fire sent a family of six to the hospital for evaluation. Music & Memory: A piece on how familiar songs can help unlock connection for people living with dementia.

Meta Settlement: Alaska is set to receive $16M from Meta’s $17.1B multistate deal over Instagram and Facebook child-safety claims, with sweeping new limits and protections for kids and teens. Aviation Tragedy: A Piper PA-24 crashed into shallow waters near Seldovia Slough, killing four adults; the NTSB is investigating. Local Crime: Daniel Lewis was convicted in Dillingham of attempted murder and multiple related charges for a 2024 shotgun attack on Kanakanak Hospital. Community & Arts: Anchorage Park Foundation unveiled a custom Indigenous place-name sign project at Lyn Ary Park (Aug. 27, 5–7 p.m.). Live Music: Fairbanks native Kelly Moneymaker returns for a hometown stop at The Boatel in Fairbanks on Aug. 28. Weekend Picks: The Anchorage Weekender highlights fair-free plans like a family hike, a patio jazz set, and volunteer trail brushing. Tech Travel: Google Search’s AI Mode adds new vacation-planning tools, including flight price tracking and alerts. Sports: Husky Volleyball opens its 2026 season with the Husky Invitational in Alaska Airlines Arena starting Aug. 28.

Alaska State Fair: Palmer’s 2026 fair keeps rolling with 12 weekend highlights and nightly Borealis Theatre acts, plus favorites like the Alaska State Fair train and waived parking fees. Alaska Politics: Anchorage’s former mayor Dave Bronson says he’ll stay in the governor’s race as the primary vote count shapes up, while the November field is still fluid with ranked-choice rules. Big Tech & Youth Safety: Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills announced a multistate $17.1B Meta settlement over Instagram and Facebook child-safety, with Alaska set to receive about $16M and sweeping platform changes. Cook Inlet Spill Watch: State officials report multiple aerial surveys found no new oil sheen near the Spark Platform, as the source and size remain unclear. Arts & Culture: Juneau’s Aurora Grand Theater is bringing second-run movies back downtown, leaning into local nostalgia and community programming. Music & Community: Alaskans reflect on Dolly Parton’s life and impact as tributes roll in nationwide. Human Interest: A new documentary film premieres in Anchorage on Alaska National Guard aviation, offering an inside look from the cockpit. Sports: Kenai newcomer Snowdon Bear Williams shines with a rare five-touchdown, five-ways performance. Entertainment Pop Culture: X-Men #36 delivers Cyclops’ standout quote after a Magneto-clone showdown.