By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | November 2025
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – As November begins, Alaska is confronting overlapping strains on public safety, federal assistance programs and community infrastructure, with agencies and service organizations warning of mounting risks as winter sets in.
SNAP Benefits Stalled for 66,000 Residents
More than 66,000 Alaskans have yet to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November as the federal government shutdown continues. Court rulings intended to restore funding have not resulted in payments reaching the state. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and legislative leaders are expected to meet early next week to consider whether the state can temporarily address the funding gap, which totals about $25 million each month.
Food banks statewide report rising demand and say they cannot offset a prolonged disruption.
Heating Assistance Delays Deepen Winter Concerns
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The shutdown has also delayed the release of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program () funds, which support roughly 50,000 Alaska households. State officials say payments may not arrive until mid-December.
Rural and tribal communities, which rely heavily on early-season fuel support, are expected to face the most immediate strain.
Shutdown Hits Alaska Native Communities Hardest
Alaska Native leaders told the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs this week that federal subsidy delays are already affecting food, heating and essential services in remote villages. Many communities are still recovering from severe fall storms and fear the shutdown could deepen long-standing inequities.
Nine Tsunami Detection Stations to Shut Down
Nine tsunami detection stations, most located across the Aleutian chain, are expected to go offline in mid-November due to a lapse in federal funding. The state seismologist warned that the shutdown will create major blind spots in one of the world’s most seismically active regions, reducing early-warning capabilities for coastal communities.
EPA Wastewater Permits Take Effect Across Southeast
Several updated federal wastewater permits issued by the Environmental Protection Agency take effect today in Sitka, Haines, Skagway, Wrangell, Petersburg and Ketchikan. The new permits outline revised environmental compliance standards for municipal treatment facilities and mark a shift in regulatory oversight for the region. The changes require facilities to significantly reduce bacteria levels, specifically fecal coliform and enterococcus, discharged into local marine waters to protect human health and the environment.Â
State Drops National Law Firm in Opioid Litigation
The State of Alaska has terminated its contract with national law firm Motley Rice, which has represented the state in opioid-related litigation since 2017. Officials cited concerns about confidentiality and conflicts of interest. The change could reshape Alaska’s pursuit of damages tied to the opioid epidemic.
DOT&PF Prepares for Winter Operations
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities continued updating routine notices and winter-readiness information this weekend. While no major project announcements were issued, the agency noted ongoing maintenance demands as storm season intensifies across highways, airports and coastal infrastructure.
Troopers Arrest Wasilla Driver After High-Speed Stop
On the early morning of November 1, at about 2:37 a.m., the Alaska State Troopers observed a vehicle in Wasilla traveling nearly double the speed limit. During the traffic stop, the driver struck a guardrail while coming to a halt. The driver, 18-year-old Jackson Harley of Eagle River, was arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial for DUI and for minor operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol. dailydispatch.dps.alaska.gov
This incident highlights the troopers’ ongoing speed and alcohol-enforcement efforts on our roads.
Western Alaska Continues Storm Recovery
More than 1,500 residents in villages including Kipnuk and Kwigillingok remain displaced after powerful coastal flooding tied to the remnants of Typhoon Halong. Recovery efforts are ongoing as state and federal officials assess long-term solutions for communities threatened by erosion and climate-driven relocation pressures.
Permanent Fund Dividend Provides Minor Relief
Despite broader uncertainty, the 2025 Permanent Fund Dividend, set at $1,000 per eligible resident, remains on schedule. The payment offers modest financial relief as households navigate increased living costs heading into winter.
The Governor Declares … a Lot
At the start of November, the Office of the Governor of Alaska rolled out a fresh batch of statewide proclamations:
- November is officially Alaska Native Heritage Month.
- It’s also Family Caregivers Month.
- Marking Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
- And yes, it’s Wild Game Meat Donation Month, too.
These are the formal declarations you’ll see influencing events, programming and community emphasis around the state.
These are the formal declarations you’ll see influencing events, programming and community emphasis around the state.
The convergence of stalled federal aid, weakened safety systems and ongoing disaster recovery is sharpening concerns statewide, setting a tense tone as Alaska moves deeper into the cold season.
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