Soldotna's planning director says zoning hurdles are hindering housing opportunities. Fat Bear Week has a new champion. Plus, the Kenai Local Food Connection's annual harvest festival returns to Soldotna.

President Donald Trump says South Korea will invest $50 billion in the Alaska LNG Project. Two dead beluga whales are reported in Cook Inlet. Plus, researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks work to reduce the nation's dependence on imported critical minerals.

Sunday is the voter registration deadline for the November General Election. Gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson calls on her fellow Republicans to drop out of the race. Plus, a new report analyzes the environmental impacts of the proposed Donlin gold mine.

The American Civil Liberties Union clarifies when and how incarcerated Alaskans can vote. The University of Alaska Fairbanks works with Indigenous observers to inform arctic observations. Plus, a new study finds El Niño weather patterns could benefit the Gulf of Alaska in certain ways.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly mulls changes to how it fills vacant seats. The University of Alaska Board of Regents considers restructuring student tuition bills. Plus, Fat Bear Weeks features full bear families for the first time.

An annual Alzheimer's awareness walk returns to Kenai. The University of Alaska Board of Regents mulls an AI policy. Plus, Kenai River sportfishing guides adapt their business models in response to declining king salmon runs.

The National Transportation Safety Board releases its preliminary report about last month's fatal Seldovia plane crash. Whittier's new cruise ship dock is deemed a 'total loss' after a fire. Plus, singles in Anchorage ditch the dating apps for a more unusual activity.

Fat Bear Week begins. Alaska's largest electric utility pilots a time-of-use rate. Plus, the U.S. Air Force seeks public input on its plan to start work on Eielson Air Force Base where a nuclear reactor would be located.

A Funny River man faces murder charges in connection to human remains found in Soldotna earlier this year. Alaska Senate President Gary Stevens prepares to retire. Plus, a new bridge restores road access to the interior of Denali National Park.

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is holding a food drive through the end of September. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan's bycatch reduction legislation clears a Senate committee. Plus, scientists discover nine new sea sponge species off the coast of Alaska.