A new report says that she and Prince Harry really needed the money.
Their lives are expensive. Personal security alone costs millions each year since Harry was born with a target on his back.
Meghan is the “breadwinner” while her husband dedicates himself to philanthropy. How bad have things gotten?
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex greet members of the public at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on April 17, 2026. (Photo Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
‘Money is tight’
A source tells Page Six that Meghan is “basically the breadwinner” for her, for Prince Harry, and for their children, Archie and Lilibet.
However, that same insider claims that “money is tight” for the Sussexes.
Harry continues to work on philanthropy, of course. That was arguably the one good thing about the burden of being born into the royal family.
Meghan, meanwhile, is working on expanding the couple’s most successful venture: her As Ever brand.
Apparently, their living expenses are even higher than you might guess.
According to a second insider, Meghan and Harry need at least $6 million per year.
Now, not all of that goes into their home, though they do live in an extremely upscale portion of Montecito, California.
A whopping $3 million, give or take, goes into private security for the couple and for their two children.
Remember, the royal firm — the same entity that failed to protect Harry and Meghan the way that they do William and Kate, throwing Meghan under the bus simply to distract from the future king’s bad press — stopped providing security for their family in 2020.
When Harry and Meghan left royal duties, they didn’t stop being potential targets. But the Duke of Sussex believes that he was singled out by the firm for his departure, and forced to foot the bill for his family’s safety.
Harry was born with living expenses that most of us cannot imagine
Obviously, keeping the family safe from crazed stalkers is only one of their expenses.
Like so many people, Harry and Meghan have a mortgage to pay.
Unlike the vast majority of those folks, their home is $15 million. That likely translates to more than the four-figure sum that most folks pay each month — if they’re lucky enough to own a home at all.
Meanwhile, the Sussex pair are no longer doing their Netflix projects.
With Love, Meghan was well-reviewed (in the US — not in the UK, of course). But Netflix’s business model infamously requires that it continuously cancel almost all of its projects to keep moving money around and lure in new subscribers, gambling that most won’t rage-cancel.
The usual folks who have turned hating Meghan into their whole personalities (or, at least, their public brands) have whined and complained about how much she charges for jams and how many people have bought from her.
They’ve taken that angle because “haha she’s a failure” just doesn’t pan out. Not with her brand’s sales thus far.
Also, Meghan’s reportedly looking to do more acting roles. We’ll be excited to see it!
In less than a month, CMA Fest presented by SoFi will take over the heart of Nashville from Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7. With the four-day event just around the corner, the Country Music Association has announced the star-studded acts set to take over Fan Fair X inside Music City Center.
Attending Fan Fair X has been a longstanding tradition for so many country music fans. This experience gives them the unique opportunity to witness conversations with legendary acts, attend met and greets with rising stars, shop the indoor marketplace and see performances pop up all day long. Fan Fair X will once again run each day of the festival from 10:00 AM-5:30 PM and requires purchase of one of the various CMA Fest ticketing options available.
The excitement continues this year with the addition of exclusive Artist of the Day programming on the CMA Close Up Stage, featuring Russell Dickerson on Thursday, Carly Pearce on Friday, Shaboozey on Saturday, and Ashley McBryde closing things out on Sunday.
Photos Courtesy of Maddox Batson, Clint Black, Gretchen Wilson, Carter Faith.
Beyond these stars, fans in attendance can hear conversations and/or appearances from Maddox Batson, Clint Black, Gretchen Wilson, Carter Faith and so many more.
CMA Close Up Stage programming:
Thursday, June 4:
The Red Clay Strays on Amazon Music’s “Country Heat Weekly” Live
Sound & Story: An Artist Exchange featuring Melissa Etheridge &Gretchen Wilson
Behind the Hits featuring John Morgan, Blake Pendergrassand Parker Welling
Friday, June 5:
Latino Trailblazers in Country with FILMORE,Andrea VasquezandAlyssia Dominguez
Country Central Presents: Charles Wesley Godwin, Willow Avalon,Wyatt Floresand Stella Lefty
Crook & Chase: Legends & Friends with Clint Black
Country & Rap: The Black Southern Roots of American Music with Waka FlockaandNappy Roots
Saturday, June 6:
40 Years of Randy Travis: Exploring the Icon’s Legacy and Impact
The Songwriters Behind Country’s Biggest Hits with Ashley GorleyandShane McAnally
Audacy Presents: Music You Should Know featuring Carter Faith, Warren Zeidersand Katie Neal
The Last Take: Behind “On My Way to Heaven” Video withTanya Tuckerand Dennis Quaid
The Listening Room: 20 Years of the Stories Behind the Songs: Drew Baldridge, Taylor Austin Dyeand Emmett Stevens Jr.
Sunday, June 7:
Maddox Batson on Amazon Music“Country Heat Weekly” Live
Up Close With Brandon Lake
Dreams Across Boarders: Making Nashville Home withGareth, Owen Riegling and Kaylee Bell
Unbridled: Women of Texas Country, From the Ground Up: Jenna Paulette, Kylie Frey and RaeLynn
Additionally, for the first time, Tractor Supply Company will be sponsoring the Tractor Supply Spotlight Stage, where a lineup of emerging acts will deliver live acoustic sets each day from 11:00 AM-5:20 PM in Music City Center.
Performers for this stage include Austin Mackay, Blue Ridge Band, The Boykinz, Bre Kennedy, Carlisle Wright, Dzaki Sukarno, Desiree Dawson, ERLAND, Faith Hopkins, Gabi Sklar, Gary Frost, Gloria Anderson, Hayley Payne, Jake Hoot, James Maslow, Jarrad Wrigley, Kaleb Sanders, Kelsey Lamb, Kelsi Mayne, Kingswood, Leah Blevins, Liam Price, Maddie Lenhart, Mike Parker, Mogan Griffiths, Noah James, Parker Graye, Rachael Fahim, Sacha, Sadie Bass, Sammy Arriaga, Shawnee Kish, Something Out West, Tori Darke, Tyler Rich, Zoe Jean Fowler and 2’Live Bre.
Fan Fair X is introducing a brand-new addition this year with the debut of the CMA Experience, an immersive space designed to give fans a closer look at the history and impact of the Country Music Association. The interactive installation will take attendees through the organization’s legacy with exhibits and storytelling centered around memorable moments, major achievements, and the awards that have helped define Country Music over the years.
Along with celebrating the genre’s history, the CMA Experience will also highlight the many ways the organization continues to support and connect the Country Music community through year-round initiatives. Overall, the space is meant to give fans a more personal and behind-the-scenes look at the artists, programs, and moments that have impacted the evolution of the genre.
Those looking forward to taking part in all that Fan Fair X has to offer can purchase tickets, which are available now at CMAfest.com/fanfairx. A Four-Day Pass is sold at $31.05 (including fees) while a Single-Day Pass is available for $13 per day.
Once inside, access to programming at the Close Up Stage will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning fans will want to arrive early to secure a spot. Attendees can also keep up with the latest meet-and-greet schedule through the Official CMA Connect App, where even more sessions are expected to be added throughout May.
With several different CMA Fest ticket options available, fans can choose the experience that fits them best, whether that means crossing the Cumberland River to attend nightly stadium shows or enjoying the festival’s free daytime performances.
CMA Fest Ticket options include:
Four-Night Stadium Passes: Enjoy full access to all nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium, including performances from Country Music’s biggest stars. Passes are on sale now.
Single-Night Stadium Tickets: Get access to a superstar-packed night of performances at Nissan Stadium on the date of your choice. Single night tickets are on sale now.
Riverside Retreat: Upgrade your experience with VIP access to the Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr Pepper Amp Stage and Chevy Vibes Stage offering exclusive amenities like shaded areas, mobile charging stations and air-conditioned restrooms. Plus, enjoy early entry to the Chevy Riverfront Stage and discounted beverages. Tickets are on sale now.
Fan Fair X: Get up close with your favorite artists through exclusive meet-and-greets, shop one-of-a-kind festival merch and enjoy a variety of indoor activities at Music City Center. Tickets are on sale now, and more information on programming will be coming soon.
VIP Packages: Experience CMA Fest like never before with a VIP Package! Enjoy premium seating, backstage access and exclusive hospitality all weekend long through Elevate Experiences, an Official Experiential Hospitality Provider of CMA Fest.
Free Outdoor Stages: Catch hundreds of artists performing throughout downtown Nashville on multiple outdoor stages. These high-energy concerts are free to attend and showcase the best of Country Music, from emerging talent to well-established stars.
The crowd at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, June 8, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville; Photo Courtesy CMA
CMA Fest is once again a chance to give back as a portion of proceeds will benefit the CMA Foundation, supporting music education initiatives across the country.
The event is also set to be captured for a network television special airing on ABC on Thursday, June 25 at 8/7c, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
Now, the golf legend has once again entered rehab in an effort to get clean and jumpstart his ailing career.
And according to one report, Tiger has decided to de-prioritize his love life in an effort to focus on his sobriety,
Tiger Woods during EA Sports Celebrates the Launch of “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07” with Tiger Woods Teeing-Off at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Jason Merritt/FilmMagic)
“Tiger is doing a ton of self-reflection, and it’s become very apparent that his whole life needs to change from here on out,” a source close to the situation tells Radar Online.
Tiger has been dating Vanessa Trump — the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. — but the romance has reportedly taken a backseat for the time being.
“He loves Vanessa deeply,” says the insider, adding that Tiger “was following her around like a puppy dog and ready to propose to her” prior to his arrest.
“He’s incredibly grateful that she’s sticking by him during this nightmare, but now the thinking is that he’ll want to pare things down and pump the brakes” once he gets out of rehab, the source claims.
Vanessa, it seems, is aware of the situation but not entirely thrilled about it.
“But if it’s what Tiger needs right now, she’ll go along with it. She loves him and is desperate for them to make it in the long term,” says the insider.
Post-rehab, Tiger reportedly plans to focus on golf and spending time with his two children, daughter Sam, 18, and son Charlie, 17.
The judge in Tiger’s case granted him permission to check into a rehab center in a different country for the sake of his privacy.
It’s unlikely that Tiger will receive jail time, but as this is not his first offense, he may well suffer some fairly serious legal consequences.
Being a billionaire and all, one would think that Tiger would just hire a driver in order to avoid any further brushes with the law. But those who know him best say he has no intention of doing so.
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
If you’re looking to catch every NFL international game in person in 2026, then hopefully you have your passport ready to go. The league announced all nine NFL International Series games on Wednesday, which will mark the most international games the league has played in a single season. With more games being played internationally than ever, there are also a few places that will host an NFL game that have never hosted an NFL game before. Australia, Rio de Janeiro and France will all host their first NFL games in 2026. The first international game will take place in Week 1, while the last will be held in Week 11. And half of the league’s teams will play an international game in 2026, as two teams will play two games outside the country. So, here’s a full look at the nine games that will be a part of the NFL’s international slate in 2026. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will begin the NFL’s international slate for the 2026 season in Week 1, playing in the league’s first game in Australia. The game, which will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, has unique timing, though. It’ll kick off at around 10:35 a.m. in Melbourne on Friday, Sept. 11. That means the game will begin on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET. It’s a rare divisional matchup that’ll be played overseas, but it just means the stakes will be higher. Both the 49ers and Rams contended for the NFC West title late into the season in 2025, with Los Angeles reaching the NFC Championship Game. Heading into 2026, each team figures to contend for the NFC West crown again as the Rams are currently the Super Bowl favorites. The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will play in the NFL’s first game in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Sept. 27. It actually marks the third game the NFL has played in Brazil, though, as the league had Week 1 matchups at São Paulo’s Corinthians Arena in each of the last two seasons. While both teams missed the playoffs in 2025, both the Ravens and Cowboys are playoff hopefuls who’ve had eventful offseasons. Baltimore made a coaching change, hiring Jesse Minter to replace long-time head coach John Harbaugh. Dallas, meanwhile, made a handful of moves on defense, including the selection of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in the NFL Draft. Of course, this game will also feature two of the league’s top quarterbacks, with Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott going head-to-head. The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders will play the first of the NFL’s three games in London in 2026. This matchup will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4. Both the Colts and Commanders are seeking to bounce back from campaigns in 2025 that were derailed by injuries. Indianapolis actually had the inside track to win the AFC South for much of the season, but quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles late in the year. Washington, meanwhile, will have quarterback Jayden Daniels back as it hopes to reach the status it was at in 2024, when it reached the NFC Championship Game. This will mark the first of two games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in London this season, playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11. Both the Eagles and Jaguars made the postseason in 2025. Philadelphia has been a mainstay postseason contender since 2021, but Jacksonville had a surprise year in 2025, going 13-4 in Liam Coen’s first year as head coach. The Jaguars will be the designated home team again when they play in London for a second straight week in Week 6. However, their matchup against the Houston Texans will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18. While the Jaguars have played back-to-back games in England twice before, this will be the first time they’ve had two designated home games in London in the same season. It’s also just the second time that they’ll face a division rival in an international game, facing the Texans in London in 2019. This matchup could have major postseason implications, as the Jaguars and Texans finished first and second, respectively, in the AFC South last season. The two teams split the 2025 season series. The NFL is heading to France for the first time ever in 2026. The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday, Oct. 25. Pittsburgh might be led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he remains unsigned, although most have speculated that he’ll be the Steelers’ starting quarterback again in 2026. New Orleans, meanwhile, will be led by second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, who helped the Saints go on a four-game win streak late last season. The Saints made sure to build around him over the offseason as well, adding running back Travis Ettiene and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. The NFL’s second-ever game in Madrid will feature a pair of exciting offenses. The Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Spain on Sunday, Nov. 8. This will be Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s first international game, as Cincinnati hasn’t had an international game since 2019. As for the Falcons, they played the Indianapolis Colts in Germany last season. Will Michael Penix Jr. be starting for the Falcons this time around, or will newcomer Tua Tagovailoa have the starting job? The New England Patriots and Detroit Lions will go head-to-head at FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Munich on Sunday, Nov. 15. It’s the third game the league has played in Munich. For New England, this will actually be its second trip to Germany. The Patriots faced the Colts in Frankfurt in 2023. It’ll also mark the Patriots’ third international game in four seasons, facing the Jaguars in London during the 2024 season. As for the Lions, this will be their first international game since 2015. This will also mark just the eighth time that one of the Super Bowl participants from the previous season will be in an international game since the league started to regularly play international games in 2007. New England is seeking to get back to the Super Bowl in 2026 after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX as part of its surprise 2025 season. Detroit, meanwhile, is hoping its 2025 season was a one-off. The Lions went 9-8 in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time in three years and establishing themselves as a Super Bowl contender in the two seasons prior. The NFL’s international series for the 2026 season will conclude when the Minnesota Vikings take on the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca on Sunday, Nov. 22. It marks the first game that the NFL has played in Mexico since 2022, which also featured the 49ers. On top of that, San Francisco will also become the first team to play two international games in nonconsecutive games in NFL history. As for Minnesota, this will mark the third straight season it has played an international game. It actually played in two international games last season as well, playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, before facing the Cleveland Browns in London, England.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Back in 2015, Rachel Dolezal became a household name — but not in a good way.
The white woman with white parents was exposed for spending much of her adult life claiming to be a Black woman.
If anything, she has doubled down since then.
She has capitalized upon her infamy — becoming an OnlyFans success. She’s now getting certified as a sex coach.
During one of her infamous NBC interviews, Rachel Dolezal insisted that she had not lied about her race. (Image Credit: NBC)
‘It was survival at first’
In a new interview with The Daily Mail, Dolezal explained why she turned to OnlyFans.
For over a decade now she has been just about unemployable.
She’s too infamous after being exposed for claiming to be Black despite being a white woman with white parents.
When Dolezal first signed up for OnlyFans, she was just posting about her artwork and makeup. Soon, however, she started putting out content that you’d expect on the adult media subscription platform.
“I never really aspired to be doing explicit self-play and nude modeling for income,” she told The Daily Mail. “It was survival at first and then became an art form for me.”
Dolezal began posting photos of herself nude and wearing lingerie. The subscription price of $9.99 meant that some folks were willing to spend the money just out of curiosity.
She says that OF is her most successful business venture. Like, it’s not even close.
“People would suggest, because you have name recognition, just do this — you’ll become a millionaire,” Dolezal recalled. “But none of that panned out.”
She continued: “Except maybe the OnlyFans — I’m not a millionaire but it’s paid more bills than anything else.”
Every time that her infamous name makes headlines, she says, a new wave of subscribers comes pouring in.
Though subsequent replies seemed to indicate that the tweet was in jest, a social media denizen claimed “her body crazy” about Rachel Dolezal, likely driving more attention to her OnlyFans. (Image Credit: Twitter)
‘Can we agree to disagree?’
Dolezal also told The Daily Mail that she is working on becoming a sex coach.
She says that she has nearly 300 hours in certification for her sex coach qualification.
Her goal, she explained, is to help single moms and busy parents improve their sex lives.
Additionally, she took time to complain about how she has been ostracized for her continued pretense of being a Black woman, even though she is a white woman with white parents.
“Can we agree to disagree and still respect each other and allow each other to provide for our families,” Dolezal complained, “and not have this need to keep me — or anybody else — punished forever?”
Finally, Dolezal revealed that she has chosen a new name for herself: Nkechi Diallo.
(Nkechi is Igbo while Diallo is Fula, but clearly that didn’t stop her.)
It’s unclear why she’s sharing this. There was always a chance that she’d have gotten clients under that new name who’d never know who she is.
Or perhaps she is hoping that the same morbid curiosity that drives people to check out her OnlyFans will get her sex coach clients.
Something interesting about Dolezal is that, despite her very inconsistent claims, she was right when she said that race is a social construct. A lot of people imagine there to be, like, a “white gene” or something, but that’s not the case. This is a cultural concept that has changed — even over the past century.
But being a construct does not mean that something is not important. Race is inherited from one’s parents and their parents. There’s nuance there at times, but really not in Dolezal’s case.
Anchorage officials and trail advocates use shovels to ceremoniously break ground on May 9, 2026, on the Ship Creek connection between the city’s Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and the Ship Creek Trail. From left are: Shanna Gamble, director of Anchorage Parks and Recreation; state Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage; state Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage; Zara Fields; state Rep. Zach Fields, D-Anchorage; Anchorage Assembly member Daniel Volland; Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance; Anchorage Assembly member Sydney Scout; Aaron Leggett, president of the Native Village of Eklutna; and Beth Nordlund, executive director of the Anchorage Park Foundation. The new section of trail, about a mile long, will fill a gap in Anchorage’s system of paved bike trails. The trail connection is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027. The project includes a plaza at Ship Creek focused on Dena’ina culture. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
When Anchorage officials and outdoor recreation advocates gathered Saturday to ceremoniously mark the start of construction for a 1.3-mile section of trail near the city’s industrial port, they said they were taking a small step toward a big vision.
The connector will close a gap in the city’s existing network of paved bike trails and, supporters hope, eventually be part of what they call the “Alaska Long Trail,” an interlaced network spanning 500 miles from Fairbanks to Seward.
Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance characterized the Long Trail as a “dream trail connecting Seward to Fairbanks that will most definitely, most definitely, swing through downtown Anchorage.”
“Our parks and trails are the crown jewels of our community,” she said at the ceremony.
Supporters say trail expansions and improvements offer a big payoff to residents and to the economy, helping to diversify tourism activity that is otherwise highly dependent on the cruise ship industry.
The new trail connection is to include a plaza dedicated to Dena’ina heritage tied to Ship Creek, which in that Indigenous language is called Dgheyaytnu, meaning Stickleback Creek.
Farther south along the 500-mile corridor, another incremental step toward the Alaska Long Trail goal was completed last fall.
A new trail stretch at Moose Pass, a Kenai Peninsula community of about 225, offers a potentially unbroken hiking route down to Seward, about 30 miles to the south.
Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance speaks at a ceremonial groundbreaking on May 9, 2026, for a trail connection at Ship Creek. Next to her are, Beth Nordlund, executive director of the Anchorage Park Foundation, and Bill Bittner, chair of the Anchorage Park Foundation. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
The work, funded by the U.S. Forest Service, includes six miles of new trail along what is the historic Iditarod Trail route that was used in Gold Rush and territorial days for travel between Seward and Nome.
The work also includes four miles of improved trail and two new bridges, said Jane Boer, the Alaska Long Trail officer at the nonprofit organization Alaska Trails.
Boer described the work in a progress report on the Alaska Long Trail that she delivered last Friday at the annual Statewide Trails conference held in Anchorage and hosted by Alaska Trails.
“I think it’s really exciting that there’s a new trail down there, new adventures to be had,” she said.
Economic aspects of trails
To supporters, the trails that wind through Anchorage and other communities enhance quality of life and, in the longer run, the economy.
State Rep. Zach Fields, D-Anchorage, who rode to the Saturday groundbreaking ceremony with his daughter Zara on an e-bike, is among the supporters.
“Trails are Anchorage’s competitive advantage,” Fields said at the event. “I think we all appreciate that they’re amazing for our quality of life because they’re the single most important thing we can do to become more competitive in a global economy.”
Trails also support an aspect of the tourism industry that is independent of cruise ship companies.
“It’s independent travelers who spend more money and stay longer,” said Haley Johnston, executive director of Alaska Trails.
The Alaska tourism industry’s dependence on cruise ships is evident in visitor statistics from the state’s national parks.
People walk on May 9, 2026, on a trail in Anchorage’s Campbell Creek tract, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
It took until last year for visitation to Alaska’s eight national parks to recover from big losses inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which in turn depressed cruise travel, according to a new report in Alaska Economic Trends, the monthly magazine of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic – and a year when summer cruise travel virtually stopped – visitor numbers at Alaska’s eight national parks nose-dived by 86% in 2020. That compared to a 28% average drop across the country for national park visitation, according to the analysis.
The contrast was striking, said Karinne Wiebold, the state economist who wrote the article.
In the Lower 48, where national parks are within driving distance for most visitors, those lands became something like havens for people who wanted to recreate safely.
“For people it became a really enjoyable way to travel and be outside,” Wiebold said. But that social distancing did not work for people trying to travel to Alaska. “But when you come to Alaska, you’re not in a bubble.”
Much of the statewide trend has been driven by visitation at Glacier Bay National Park, which is visited almost entirely by cruise ship, and Denali National Park, which is a major destination for cruise passengers who add train or bus trips to their itineraries.
While visitation has returned to pre-pandemic levels, National Park Service employment is now well below that, despite a rebound that started in 2021, according to the analysis.
Trump administration cuts brought National Park Service employment down to 784 in 2025 from 865 the year before. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, Alaska had 869 park service jobs. The jobs support operations in all of Alaska’s National Park Service units, which include national preserves, national monuments, historical parks and other protected areas as well as the eight national parks.
The administration is proposing more cuts to both funding and employment. The budget it has proposed for the coming fiscal year would cut National Park Service employment in 2027 by more than 30% from 2025 levels.
Mixed prospects for future trail funding
The most recent trail connections and improvements have been paid for by a combination of federal, state, local and private funds.
Cyclists pedal past each other on Anchorage’s Chester Creek trail by Westchester Lagoon on the afternoon of Aug. 29, 2025. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
The Moose Pass-area projects, which are in the Chugach National Forest, were the beneficiary of about $12 million in federal appropriations secured over three fiscal years by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, according to Alaska Trails.
The Ship Creek project, tentatively estimated to cost $19 million, is being paid for by a variety of sources, including federal transportation funds, state funds and local park bonds approved in recent years by Anchorage voters.
Over three budget cycles, the state has put over $6.7 million into Alaska Long Trail projects, according to Alaska Trails.
The concept of a “world-class trail” on par with the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails continues to have lawmakers’ support, said Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage.
“I can’t emphasize enough how excited we are about the Long Trail,” Wielechowski said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “Every year in the legislature we’ve been trying to put a little bit more, a little bit more, towards it to build that out.”
There are no projects specific to the Alaska Long Trail in the 2027 fiscal year capital budget currently pending in the legislature, though there are several individual trail-related items.
The pending operating budget does propose an increase in funding for the state Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, which could benefit trail users. The budget passed by the legislature last year appropriated $23.9 million; after Dunleavy’s vetoes, the amount was whittled to $21.8 million. The new operating budget that lawmakers are now crafting for the coming fiscal year puts funding for the division at $27.7 million.
Along with the Forest Service, there are numerous sources of federal funds for Alaska trail projects, such as those available from the Department of the Interior under the Great American Outdoors Act. However, budget cuts may have closed off one of those federal opportunities.
The program assists locally led conservation and outdoor recreation projects, including trail construction and maintenance. In the past, the program supported projects around the state, from Prince of Wales Island in the southernmost part of Southeast to Nome on the Bering Sea coast.
A U.S. Geological Survey marker at the top of Bird Ridge in Chugach State Park is seen on June 12, 2021. The ridge overlooks Turnagain Arm, and it is a popular destination in the park. The operating budget pending in the state legislature proposes an increase in funding for the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Parker McCollum has a lot on his plate these days. Between his headlining tour, preparing to welcome his second child with wife Hallie Ray, and gearing up for ACM Awards weekend as both a nominee and performer, life is moving fast for the Texas native.
During a recent interview with Audacy’s Katie Neal, McCollum called in from home and opened up about everything currently happening in his world. With a little over three months until the arrival of their second son, he said he and Hallie Ray are trying to soak up every moment of being a family of three before life changes again.
“I think we’re going to try our best to enjoy these last three and a half months with just one and then we’ll gear up for the newborn stuff again. So pray for me,” he joked.
Parker McCollum with Hallie Ray and son Major; Photo via Instagram
The couple’s second baby boy will join their son, Major Yancey Tyler McCollum, who was born on August 8, 2024. While preparing for their newest addition, McCollum admitted that picking out another strong name has become a challenge.
“We get some pretty funny heated arguments over it,” he admitted. “Every now and then we’re like, all right, we have time. Let’s not do this today.”
With a name like Major already setting the bar high, McCollum explained why finding the perfect fit matters so much to him.
“Well, I’m like, these are my boys. They’re going to take over everything that I build in this life. I’ll leave it to them. So name’s got to be good. They’ve got to have strong names.”
While preparing for another major milestone at home, McCollum is also celebrating one in his career. He heads into the 61st ACM Awards with a nomination for Album of the Year for his self-titled project, a recognition he says means more to him than any other accolade he’s received so far.
“It’s the greatest honor of my career so far,” he stated. “It’s my favorite record I’ve ever made. I’ve never been more proud of a collection of songs than I am this record that came out last year. So to be mentioned amongst so much fricking talent, so many crazy records and all the records that could have been nominated for this album to receive a nomination is mind-blowing.”
Parker McCollum; Photo by Tim O’Keefe
McCollum also shared that he hopes to cross paths with ACM Awards host Shania Twain during the festivities in Las Vegas, and maybe do a little gambling.
“I’ll play a little blackjack. I try to play some golf while I’m there, maybe the day after, but I play in Chicago the night before, so I’ll be coming in hot…So it’ll be quick, but we’re going to make the most of it.”
McCollum is also set to perform during the show alongside fellow Texan Lee Ann Womack. Additional performers include Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, Blake Shelton, and more.
Fans can watch the 61st ACM Awards streaming live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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