Today in Alaska: New Island, Fisherman Killed, Willow Oil Blow, and Senate Epstein Clash

 

🌟 Today’s Top Alaska Headlines

Alaska's Prow Knob (the big island on the right of the lake) used to be surrounded by ice. Source: NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

New island emerges from melting glacier

1. A new landmass, now named Prow Knob, has broken away from the retreating Alsek Glacier in Glacier Bay. Scientists say the event highlights the rapid impact of climate change on Alaska’s coastal geography.
   🔗 Live Science

2. Japan reviewing $44B Alaska LNG project

   
   
   
   Japan has hired consulting firm Wood Mackenzie to evaluate the viability of the long-delayed Alaska LNG project, once promoted by the Trump administration. The project’s future could determine the next phase of Alaska’s natural gas exports.
   🔗 Reuters

3. Researcher dies in Mendenhall Glacier accident

   

   Source: Riccardo Pozzobon Facebook Page

   
   Riccardo Pozzobon, 40, a planetary geology researcher, died after being swept into a moulin — a vertical ice shaft — while conducting fieldwork on Mendenhall Glacier. His death underscores the risks of glacier research.
   🔗 People

4. Commercial fisherman killed in Aleutian vessel accident

   

   Source: Baxter Cox Facebook Page

   
   Baxter Cox, 27, was fatally struck by a pot shaker while working aboard a fishing vessel in the Aleutian Islands. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the accident.
   🔗 People

5. Willow oil project revenue slashed in half

   
   
   
   A new Alaska Department of Revenue analysis projects that the state will net only $2.6 billion from the Willow oil project between 2029 and 2053 — roughly half of earlier estimates.
   🔗 Alaska Beacon

6. Anchorage memorial honors fallen firefighters

   

   Zena Chandler, wife of Bob Chandler at the Anchorage Fallen Firefighter Memorial, 9/11/25. Source: Zena Chandler Facebook Page

   
   Anchorage residents gathered downtown to honor Alaska’s fallen firefighters. A plaque was added for Bob Chandler, Red Dog Mine’s fire chief, who died last November.
   🔗 Alaska’s News Source

7. Murkowski and Sullivan vote against releasing Epstein files

   

   Jeffrey Epstein Final Mug Shot Photo Source

   
   
   Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan sided with Republicans to table a measure that would have forced the Department of Justice to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The amendment had the support of all Democrats and two Republicans.
   🔗 Alaska’s News Source