The Alaska Current

From tide pools to tea towels to storefronts: Juneau artist Christine Kleinhenz is the new owner of The Bear’s Lair Gifts, and she’s keeping the heart of the shop alive while making space for a new wave of Alaska artists. buff.ly/DtiY8ot

Last week, the Anchorage Assembly passed a law banning camping near schools, trails and roads. But Assembly members warn it criminalizes poverty without offering solutions — and will push encampments into already overburdened neighborhoods. Illustration by Holly Todd.

Christina Grande’s journey on two wheels began as a kid biking Haight Street with her uncle. Now she’s shaping Alaska’s cycling scene — from trail building to guiding to empowering girls through Anchorage GRIT. buff.ly/G8vxBv8

The race has yet to see filings for any Democrats or independents. buff.ly/Uk9sGTJ

It's the latest example of the kind of representation Alaska gets when it elects legislators whose staunch party loyalty has effectively relegated them to the backbench, unwilling or unable to advocate for the multifaceted interests and needs of Alaskans. buff.ly/FK5HI6y

Along with timing it during Dunbar’s deployment, Gov. Mike Dunleavy also ordered sympathetic Republicans to skip the first five days of the session — the window the Alaska Constitution requires for veto overrides. buff.ly/pzgSYjq

The ordinance makes it a Class A misdemeanor for anyone to camp or build a structure within 500 feet of schools, playgrounds, and daycares, and within 200 feet of trails, busy streets, and railroads. buff.ly/xSU2CIb

“This is not your fault, and we will not stop fighting for you.” Anchorage Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt issued a rare, fiery letter to families after Dunleavy’s cuts and federal grant freezes forced more layoffs. buff.ly/nX7RgC1

"A friend once wanted to set up a folding table at the Flattop trailhead with a sign: 'Ask me about better hikes.'" Avid hiker Jenny Weis isn't setting up a table, but she did make a list. 🥾🌲 buff.ly/yWqhtYN

Not surprising: Must Read Alaska got it wrong. buff.ly/LeLgeBy

In an orchestrated attack on Planned Parenthood, Republicans included a provision that blocks Medicaid from being used at any health care facilities that provides abortions for up to one year. buff.ly/QEAgdQG

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s big win here is that the penalties will only kick in for Alaska — and any other state with an error rate above 13% — starting in 2028. buff.ly/rTkHIrZ

The best thing on the menu at the Spenard Food Truck Carnival isn’t any one dish — it’s the sunshine, the strangers-turned-friends and the shared joy of eating outside in Anchorage. buff.ly/rCckNJ0

After training in Norway, Garrett Iĝayux̂ Pletnikoff and Hannah Atsaq Zimmerman launched Tukuuludaa — a first-of-its-kind tannery and design studio on St. Paul Island — reviving reindeer use and Unangax̂ cultural knowledge through art, education and craft. buff.ly/kGr8VXR

The Trump administration has blocked $6.2B in congressionally approved education grants — including an estimated $46.4M for Alaska schools, targeting migrant ed, enrichment and English learning programs. buff.ly/HfBSaI6

Perhaps it’s time for Alaska’s Congressional delegation to come up with a new motto to replace Ted Stevens’ words: “To hell with politics. Just do what’s right for Alaska.” How about, “To hell with our fellow Americans, just do what is less bad for Alaska.”buff.ly/Wk7eC5E

From his first climb at UAA to hundreds of new routes in Alaska and abroad, Kelsey Gray has reshaped climbing — and worked to make it safer, more inclusive and accessible. Read more about him in this week's Trail Blazers column. buff.ly/FzKUu6g

Last week, the U.S. Forest Service announced it will try to repeal the “Roadless Rule,” a measure protecting the Tongass National Forest from wide-scale development and logging. Commentary by Holly Todd.

Dunleavy calls Aug. 2 special session, making it harder for lawmakers to override his vetoes on school funding, oil tax transparency and more — with a key senator deployed overseas. buff.ly/AgyMPaT

From the Alaska Beacon: ICE transferred 42 men to Alaska from out of state on June 8, as part of an ongoing agreement between the Department of Corrections and the U.S. Department of Justice, amid a nationwide deportation crackdown. buff.ly/93roqtk