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The dozens of independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news organizations that make up the Rural News Network are developing the broadest news alliance reporting on rural America. These newsrooms are pursuing coverage that provides a more complete picture of what it means to live and work in these communities.
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LATEST NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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Iditarod restart returns to its Mat-Su roots Sunday
March 06, 2026
Volunteers, race officials and vendors ready for Willow’s big day this weekend.
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Mat-Su Assembly kills proposal to raise member salaries
March 04, 2026
The proposal was designed bring Mat-Su assembly and mayoral salaries in step with the rate of inflation.
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The best and most impactful Mat-Su stories of 2025
December 30, 2025
Looking back at the 2025 news stories with the biggest impact.
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That new towering plume over Mat-Su’s landfill? It’s filtered water from decomposing trash
November 21, 2025
The vapor carries no measurable air pollution because of the way the runoff is processed by the machine.
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Palmer council approves public camping ban
October 29, 2025
There are no homeless shelters in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Warming stations in the region operate on a case-by-case basis, depending on the weather forecast.
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Mat-Su to weigh all-day phone ban for students across district
May 07, 2025
The ban includes phone use during lunch and passing periods.
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New Mat-Su special ed group looks to connect parents with district officials
April 23, 2025
The group’s first meeting is scheduled for April 28.
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Mat-Su school district reaches settlement in lawsuit over student free speech rights
February 28, 2025
The district must allow student political speech but can dictate the time and place of student protests, according to an agreement.
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Officials plan Palmer Courthouse expansion as caseloads swell
February 13, 2025
The courthouse is one of the busiest in the state and needs room for more judges, officials said.
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Parents, staff push back on Mat-Central overhaul as district readies proposal
January 31, 2025
The changes include a shift in graduation requirements, higher homeschool allotment payments and class fee increases.
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Grocery shoppers willing to pay more for Alaska Grown produce, study finds
January 16, 2025
The majority of Alaska’s produce comes from Mat-Su.
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A Mat-Su borough plan to borrow city health powers could unlock millions in opioid help
January 06, 2025
Under the proposal, the borough would use the cities’ health powers to significantly expand the types of organizations eligible to access funding for opioid-related treatment, prevention, recovery and harm-reduction services.
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A newly proposed state trooper post would bolster patrols near Willow and Talkeetna
December 23, 2024
The post was proposed in response to local concerns about an inadequate trooper presence in the area, highlighted by community feedback following a 2023 kidnapping and double homicide linked to drug trafficking.
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Mat-Su voters back major road and school funding while incumbents keep their seats, preliminary results show
November 06, 2024
The bonds cover the cost of construction for road upgrades and three new public charter school buildings.
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All Mat-Su schools to stock anti-overdose medications under new state rule
September 03, 2024
The rule requires schools to keep on hand at least two doses of opioid overdose reversal drugs aimed at reducing drug-related deaths.
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