Alaska Economic Report

There are several economic hurdles that make it tough to attract young producers, but a few farmers in Alaska are dedicated to recruiting the next generation.

Crystal and Tyler Howie say the lessons they learned and the customer base they built will make it easier to weather the current tough economy.

Jet fuel prices have soared since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on February 28, causing airlines to cut routes and hike fares.

The average price of a gallon in the state costs about a dollar more today than it did a year ago, according to AAA.

School lunches are known more for soggy fries and pizza than salad and wild caught fish. But in Petersburg, students are eating fresh ingredients every day.

The COVID pandemic, when oil prices went negative for a day, is the only time in the index’s nearly 20-year history when prices were more volatile than they are right now.

Alaska’s newest kelp hatchery recently finished its first growing season in a mobile shipping container in Kodiak. The hatchery aims to help kelp farmers on Kodiak Island boost how much they can grow.

Geopolitical tensions last year caused some international travelers to cancel their vacations to the United States, and locally, Alaska tourism operators were navigating a puzzle of uncertainty.

The ruling is in, but uncertainty isn’t over.

Alaska already has some of the most expensive coffee in the nation.

A group of businesses that call the pristine wilderness home is mobilizing against the mine, with the goal of keeping the coast wild.

Lawmakers are scheduled to take public comment on the tax portion of Dunleavy’s plan Thursday evening.

The new storage projects may provide extra months of supply and help during tight periods, but it doesn't solve the problem of a looming shortfall of natural gas.

The company’s loyalty program was rebranded to Atmos Rewards last August, but the change brings more than a new name.

Alaska's largest pollock processors are abandoning a foreign worker visa program that once supplied up to half their workforce, citing rising costs and uncertainty under stricter immigration policies.

Using a menu from the American Farm Bureau, economist Mike Jones found the difference was more than $100.

The Trilogy contract is part of a raft of deals the Trump administration made this fall, becoming a direct equity investor in mining companies, U.S. Steel and chipmaker Intel.

The shop is a beloved community hub but owners say sales have dropped significantly.

Reports say the statistic dates back to the 1970's, but nobody knows the original source.

Getting voters to approve the tax may require addressing what UAA economist Kevin Berry calls “the Anchorage disconnect.”

The terminal would complicate travel for residents trying to access the hub-community for healthcare and air travel.

Even though soldiers are still getting paid, nonprofit groups that serve military members around the state say they’re seeing increased need for essentials and assistance with bills.

Teens make up almost 4% of the state’s workforce, the highest share since 2008.

As of Oct. 1, a change in the Essential Air Service program means the city of over 400 people have no regularly scheduled commercial flights.

Outside of Bethel, there’s only one official restaurant in the entire Y-K Delta, and hikes in bypass mail are making it tougher to break even.

University of Alaska economist Brett Watson analyzed the buying power of this year’s $1,000 dividend — and found it’s worth less than ever when compared to housing, gas, and other essentials.

Juneau voters will decide in this year’s municipal election whether the city should implement a new seasonal sales tax system.

The study showed heat pumps could extend Cook Inlet gas supplies. But they cost Anchorage residents an average of $2,300 more annually than natural gas heating.

Some elements don’t take effect for a while, but an economist says that doesn’t necessarily minimize the bill’s impacts.

Access to tannery services is just one of many barriers facing sea otter hunters.

At Elim’s ANICA grocery store, a 10-pound bag of sugar already costs $29.65, over three times as much as the same bag in Anchorage.

Mary Daly is the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, which represents Alaska.

The commissary won a national award in June. Customers say the significant savings the store offers are especially appreciated in an expensive state like Alaska.

Trump signed an executive order earlier this month to extend the 90-day “reciprocal” tariff deadline to August 1.

There's a nationwide shift towards mixed-use downtowns, where people can live, work and shop in one place.

The UAF Geophysical Institute-Alaska Aerospace partnership will relieve 'traffic jam' at U.S. rocket-launch facilities.

Here's what we know so far about the Republican mega bill making it's way through Congress

Reversing the outmigration of young people is becoming a regular refrain of economists and others who keep an eye on trends.

Alaska Morning News: June 19, 2025 7am

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.

From a decline in advanced bookings to low sales, businesses are bracing for a disappointing summer that “could have been great.”

To keep schools running smoothly, many districts are looking abroad — namely to the Philippines.

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.

Alaska Morning News: May 15, 2025 Econ

Trump's day-one executive order called for expanded Alaska drilling, but his simultaneous push for lower oil prices has industry experts concerned.

Entrepreneurs say the uncertainty they’re facing is potentially just as damaging as the costly tariffs.

For quilters on the Kenai Peninsula, there aren’t many other local options to turn to.

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.

Mount Spurr's recent elevation to advisory status has Southcentral Alaska businesses shifting into preparation mode.

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.