James Brooks Cascade

@alaska

Statehouse and politics reporter for the Alaska Beacon. Juneauite. Formerly with the Anchorage Daily News, Juneau Empire, Kodiak Daily Mirror and the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

1177 Siguiendo6979 Seguidores2663 Publicaciones

Bluesky

¿Es tu perfil?Reclámalo y alaska.dirty.social es tuyo.Reclamar perfil

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 6d

I tried scaring off this trash bear this morning on 2nd Street in Juneau, and so did a lot of other people, but it wouldn’t be deterred. Not a good sign for its future. #Alaska

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 8d

Hydaburg, on Prince of Wales Island, has been without running water since last week, according to the Alaska state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Hydaburg – On July 30, 2026, the City of Hydaburg declared a local disaster for ongoing water
supply issues that left their community without running water. A multi-agency response is
ongoing to support the community including nearby communities on Prince of Wales Island,
Tlingit & Haida Tribes, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation. Multiple shipments of bottled water have been donated or
purchased. As of last report, the City had established an interim “grey water” supply for
sanitation, showers were provided at two facilities, and work was ongoing to restore regular
water supply. SEOC continues to be in regular contact with the community and responding
partners. SEOC also contacted the Mass Care Group partners, should additional donations or
volunteer services be needed.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 8d

I’m No. 1 — hurrah!

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 8d

Good morning, Alaska! In-person voting is now open at a handful of locations for the Aug. 18 statewide primary. Locations are posted online: www.elections.alaska.gov/avo/?e_id=26...

Sign-wavers celebrating the start of early voting in Alaska stand next to a puppet Statue of Liberty in Juneau, Alaska on Monday, August 3, 2026

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 11d

The Eielson Air Force Base air show is this weekend — if you're driving on the Richardson Highway, expect delays. #Alaska

Richardson Highway, MP 338 to MP 341 (Eielson Air Force Base) Temporary Road Closures for Eielson Air Force Airshow 7/31/26 - 8/02/26. The closures will be on July 31 at approximately 3 - 3:30 pm. On August 1 and August 2, it will be closed at approximately 12:30 - 12:45 pm and at 3:30 - 3:45 PM. Expect delays.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 11d

Interesting new poll out from JKT's campaign, based on a mid-July field date. I'm curious what @alaskasurvey.bsky.social is finding. Kind of surprised that Bronson fared so poorly and Walker so well in this poll, but what really caught my eye is the number of undecided voters! #akleg #akelect

Poll results from mid July showing Tom Begich leading in voting intentions for Alaska's Aug. 18 top-four primary election.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 12d

From the latest Nome Nugget newsletter ... diesel goes up $1 per gallon, to $7.49. #Alaska

We were waiting for the other shoe to drop. It did, on Tuesday morning at 5 a.m. when the gas station changed its fuel prices from $6.29 (unleaded) to $7.29. Diesel also jumped up a dollar, costing us now $7.49 a gallon.

Best start dusting off that bike and pedal to work to conserve gas and start knitting sweaters to stay warm in the winter.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 14d

If you threaten to kill someone and dare the Department of Justice to do something about it, you're going to have a bad time. cc @courtwatch.bsky.social

Screenshot of a federal indictment stating in part:

On or about December 19, 2024, within the District of Alaska, the defendant,
PAUL MCKAY EASTER, knowingly did transmit in interstate and foreign commerce a
communication, and the communication contained a threat to kidnap and injure
VICTIM 1, specifically by stating “It is time to take action. [VICTIM 1] will die. This is a
direct threat. Come do something about it DoJ.”

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 21d

Every time Alaska's campaign finance disclosure season rolls around, I am reminded. #akleg

The XKCD "dependency" comic, but with Cheryl Frasca and Paula DeLaiarro being the critical piece of the Alaska elections system

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· 26d

Small volcanic eruption in the Aleutians today; shouldn't have big effects ... #Alaska

A small explosion from Korovin Volcano was detected in seismic and infrasound data at 3:55 am
AKDT (11:55 UTC) this morning, July 16, 2026. The Aviation Color Code and Alert Level are
being raised to YELLOW/ADVISORY. No emissions were observed in satellite images, but
regional clouds would obscure activity below 10,000 feet (3 km) asl. Possible ash clouds
generated by such events are expected to be small and dissipate quickly. Fallout of ash, if any,
is unlikely to extend much beyond the upper flanks of the volcano.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 12

This wording?

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 10

How bad is the child care shortage in Juneau? It's estimated there are 2,000 kids needing care, but only 619 licensed childcare spaces. And that's before the Coast Guard brings more folks to Juneau as it starts to deploy icebreakers ... #Alaska

The Southeast Childhood Collective shared updated data showing that Juneau has nearly 2,000 children whose families need childcare, but only 619 licensed childcare spaces. Providers face an average $585 monthly funding gap for every childcare space, while childcare educators earn well below Juneau's average wage, making it difficult to recruit and retain the workforce needed to expand capacity.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 10

How real is “The Pitt”? This indictment from a July 3 incident at an Anchorage hospital reads like an episode from the TV show.

A lengthy criminal indictment describing violent threats against an Anchorage hospital by a disgruntled patient who left the ER against medical advice

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 9

New tissue box arrived yesterday — thanks, @phaneritic.bsky.social!

A facial tissue box shaped like the volcano mount Edgecumbe

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 8

It sounds like the bomb squad was needed to defuse some grenades or trip wires ("pull-type explosive devices?") in Wasilla yesterday, judging from the state's daily emergency bulletin. #Alaska

MatCom reported that several pull-type explosive devices were found at a private residence in Wasilla. Airforce Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist was contacted to assist with safe removal. EOD responded to the residence with support from the Wasilla Police Department and
removed the items without further incident.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 7

I thought this summer in Juneau was cool, but it turns out that's only true in relative terms because of climate change. Historically, it's actually fairly warm. I'd expect the 2026 number to rise somewhat because summer's only partially over, but it's still interesting. #akwx

Line chart showing average summer temperatures in Juneau, Alaska from 1943 to 2026, with the 2026 number showing a dip not seen since the early 2010s.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 7

Anyone want to be a judge in Kotzebue? asking for @alaskacourtsystem.bsky.social #Alaska

Announcing Postponement of Consideration of the

Kotzebue Superior Court

Consideration for the Kotzebue Superior Court position has been postponed because two
applications were not received by the deadline. The position will be readvertised, and the new
application period will be released at a later date.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 6

I don’t think I’ve seen that sticker before! #Juneau #Alaska

Stickers on the back side of a street sign in Juneau, including one saying “throw pipe bombs at cruise ships”

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 5

Because you might not be thinking clearly when you’re tired, the Juneau airport offers plenty of help. #Alaska

An airport coffee stand, surrounded by four neon yellow signs pointing in the direction of coffee

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 5

And another luxury bizjet also on the ground in Juneau. #Alaska

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jul 5

One for the plane-spotters — a couple of super-luxury 737s on the ground in Juneau this morning. #Alaska

The tales of two white painted Boeing 737’s are seen on the ground

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 27

Breaking: A state judge has ruled that the Alaska Division of Elections was wrong to eliminate Petersburg’s Dan. J. Sullivan from the election ballot against incumbent Sen. Dan. S. Sullivan. Case will be appealed to the state Supreme court. #akleg #Alaska

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 20

It’s an absolutely gorgeous solstice weekend in Juneau. #akwx

A highway sign points toward Juneau, Alaska beneath the blue sky, with Forested mountains in the background

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 19

“I’m a welder looking for work,” says Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 12

Pro-democracy protesters gathered outside the headquarters of the Alaska Division of Elections this morning, urging its director and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom to keep Dan J. Sullivan of Petersburg on the August primary election ballot. #akleg #akelect

A protest sign reading "Keep Petersburg Dan on the ballot"

Protesters hold signs urging the Alaska Division of Elections to keep Dan J. Sullivan on Alaska's U.S. Senate primary ballot

Protesters hold signs in front of the headquarters of the Alaska Division of Elections urging the division and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom to keep Dan J. Sullivan on Alaska's U.S. Senate primary ballot

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 12

Oh, thank you to @kenske.bsky.social for pointing out this fine print on the candidate registration form … that seems to indicate that registering to run under another party isn’t necessarily an issue?

*Note: If this is not the party affiliation currently on your voter registration record, it will be changed to reflect what you provided.

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 10

I was going through some old photographs and just ran across this depiction of Alaska I saw on a mid-18th Century globe at the Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp in December 2024. A moment in time, captured in a moment in time. #Alaska

An 18th century globe in the Museum Plantin-Moretus showing the then-unexplored northwest coast of north america

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 9

As the Alaska House Finance Committee debates a tax break for the proposed gas pipeline, legislators are literally checking with the pipeline developer outside the committee room on each amendment. #akleg #Alaska

A group of legislators and lobbyists gathers outside the Alaska House Finance committee room

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 5

Gee, I wonder what the news in Alaska is today ...

a screenshot of an email box filled with Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale press releases

James Brooks Cascade@alaska· Jun 3

New cost estimate for the proposed Alaska gas pipeline #akleg