On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: A federal judge in Anchorage ruled that tribes in Alaska may create “Indian Country” in the state. 24 mushers signed up on the opening day of registration for the Iditarod. And Suzanne La France has been sworn in as the first elected woman mayor of Anchorage.

Photo: Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance shakes hands with the crowd at her inauguration in Town Square Park on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Matt Faubion/Alaska Public Media)

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Denali National Park has largely shut down operations because of a wildfire. The Biden Administration finalized a decision blocking the controversial Ambler Road project Friday. And 28 million acres of wilderness lands scattered across Alaska will likely remain off-limits to development.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Over 140 active wildfires are burning up acreage and sending smoke across the Eastern Interior. Alaska’s heavy reliance on wild foods has prompted the U.S. Interior Department to take an unusual step. And Anchorage's outgoing budget director says there are problems with the city's accounting practices.

Photo: An aerial view of the Globe Fire on the afternoon of Thursday, June 27, 2024. (From Alaska Fire Service)

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: A Juneau artist’s family is donating hundreds of photos of King Island to residents who were removed from the remote Bering Sea island. A fast-moving wildfire near the Elliot Highway prompted a Level 3 “Go” evacuation notice last night. And at least nine buildings have been destroyed by a structure fire in Stebbins.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Fires are burning around the state. An author is doing her Alaska book tour by bicycle. And Bristol Bay set netters train for safety.

Photo: An aerial view of the McDonald Fire burning through black spruce near Salcha on Thursday, June 20, 2024. The blaze has since grown to more than 54,000 acres. (From Tasha Shields/BLM AFS)

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: The state has released its draft winter ferry schedule, which residents might find familiar. Supporters of Alaska’s ranked choice voting and nonpartisan primaries were in court trying to disqualify a ballot measure that would repeal the election reforms. And there MIGHT be a rat on St. Paul Island.

Photo: Norway rat. (UAF)

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: A Wisconsin museum has sent a Chilkat robe it’s had for the last 80 years to Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan says he’s added an amendment to an annual Defense bill that would override the rejection of the Ambler Road. And wildfire activity ramped over the weekend, due to hot dry conditions and numerous lightning strikes.

Photo: Sainteen Anna Brown Ehlers wears a 150-year-old Chilkat robe that was recently returned to Southeast Alaska on March 1, 2024.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: New rules for wastewater are on the horizon here in Alaska. Supporters of Robert Kennedy Jr. have enough signatures to get him on the ballot. And herring in Northwest Alaska is still a bit of a mystery.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: More hot, dry weather and scattered thunderstorms are forecast for this weekend around the Interior. Warming temperatures mean more mud on Alaska's trails. And Anchorage police say a standoff Wednesday night in Muldoon ended with an armed woman dead.

Photo: Lightning strikes rake the interior.

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: The U.S. Department of Justice says the Alaska Division of Elections is discriminating against voters with disabilities. Lydia Jacoby won’t compete in this year’s Olympics. And a dangerous Alexandrium bloom has been detected near Ketchikan.

Photo: Butter clams. PSP is a hazard associated with eating personal use and subsistence-harvested clams and mussels.