Politics
Alaska ferry system faces $78M budget hole after Trump administration delays federal grant
The state planned on covering nearly half of this year’s marine highway operating costs from a federal grant that never materialized.
Republican incumbents maintain fundraising leads in Alaska’s congressional races
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and U.S. Rep. Nick Begich had millions of dollars each in their campaign accounts heading into the election year.
Homer Rep. Vance faces ethics probe over official letter pressuring newspaper
On her official social media page, Vance accused the Homer News of bias and “partisan spin.” State law bars legislators from using public resources for “nonlegislative” or partisan political purposes.
‘Heartbroken and furious’: Anchorage nurses and students protest ICE actions
Health care workers say they were galvanized to speak out after federal agents shot and killed intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minnesota.
Dunleavy calls fiscal plan a ‘sacrifice’ of political goodwill as it meets tepid response from lawmakers, industry
The governor said his plan, including a statewide sales tax, was meant to address “volatility and chaos” in Alaska’s budget process.
Dunleavy opts Alaska into federal tax credit scholarship program that could benefit private schools
Some education advocates are pushing back, asserting the program could violate the Alaska Constitution.
Murkowski says Homeland Security secretary should resign amid rising calls for firing or impeachment
At a defining moment in her tenure, few Republicans are rising to Kristi Noem’s defense.
Dunleavy administration contradicts industry’s call for ‘urgent action’ on transportation funding
The contradiction has left lawmakers split on whether to expedite a $70 million appropriation to leverage federal funds.
Alaska’s congressional delegation splits over ICE operations in Minnesota
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski “is engaging with her fellow appropriators from both sides of the aisle to find a path forward to avoid a partial government shutdown,” her office said.
Gov. Dunleavy unveils long-awaited fiscal plan with statewide sales tax
The plan calls for enshrining the Permanent Fund dividend in the state constitution and implementing a statewide sales tax.
Murkowski warns of ‘loss of faith and trust’ among U.S. allies after Trump’s push to control Greenland
Alaska’s U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski called on Congress to pass a bill prohibiting the president from invading a NATO ally.
In final State of the State address, Dunleavy defends record as governor but gives few details on fiscal plan
The speech came after the governor promised to propose new taxes in his final year in office.
Watch: Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers 2026 State of the State address
Ranked choice supporters accuse Alaska election officials of using ‘untrue’ language in repeal ballot measure
The lawsuit says the ballot language prepared by state election officials includes “deficiencies, partisan suasion, and falsehoods.”
Alaska lawmakers seek details on 11th Airborne Division’s possible deployment to Minneapolis
The 11th Airborne is one of only a handful of units in the American military with soldiers trained to parachute to the ground for an assault.
Legislature votes against overriding Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of revenue bill
The vote comes ahead of Dunleavy’s expected proposal of a new statewide sales tax.
Dunleavy to introduce sales tax ‘concept’ in final year as governor
Gov. Mike Dunleavy described the plan as a “temporary, seasonal sales tax concept,” and defended his record as governor in a combative 90-minute Juneau press conference.
Bill Hill, Bristol Bay fisherman and educator, enters Alaska U.S. House race as independent
Hill is seeking the congressional seat held by Republican Nick Begich.
Alaska lawmaker calls for hiring more prosecutors and public defenders to reduce extreme delay in criminal cases
The House Judiciary Committee chair said stories by the Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica about sluggish court proceedings “stab my heart.” Fixing the problem will take more than a state Supreme Court order last year limiting new delays, he said.
Investment by former Alaska revenue commissioner raises ‘significant’ concern about whether he met fiduciary duties, report finds
Adam Crum “had the statutory authority to make the DigitalBridge investment, subject to meeting his fiduciary duties,” the report says.
Legislative session begins with planned vote on overriding Dunleavy veto of revenue bill
Lawmakers kicked off the legislative session with an eye toward new revenue amid a tight budget outlook.
In photos: Alaska legislative session opens in Juneau
Lawmakers, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, staffers, pages, families and more gathered in the Capitol for the start of the session.
In lawsuit, 2 school districts say Alaska fails to meet its constitutional obligation on public education
The lawsuit filed by the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and Kuspuk School District seeks an injunction directing the state to fulfill its obligations on funding public schools and providing Alaska students “a sound basic education.”
Alaska lawmakers prefile 41 measures ahead of legislative session
They include a limit on identity-masking face coverings for law enforcement officers, bolstered testing requirements for homeschoolers, and restrictions on increases to property tax assessments.
Ballot group submits signatures to tweak Alaska’s noncitizen voting ban
The initiative is financed by Dick Uihlein, a conservative Outside billionaire who has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years on state and federal elections.
As she launches U.S. Senate campaign, Peltola brushes off national attention
“Once you get off the road system, most Alaskans don’t talk about national people or issues,” Peltola said at an Anchorage event.
The U.S. Arctic is ‘woefully unprepared,’ Murkowski says
“I happen to think that we need to be focusing more” on Alaska’s coast, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said. “Russia is right there.”
Alaska Legislature to convene session on Tuesday, with an eye toward making up for governor’s vetoes
Lawmakers said one of their top priorities was to replace transportation funding vetoed by Gov. Dunleavy.
At rural health convention, Outside companies rush to claim a share of Alaska’s funding
Representatives from 20 health technology companies traveled to Alaska to discuss the state’s $272 million in rural health funding.
Alaska governor candidate Dave Bronson chooses Fairbanks financial adviser as running mate
The Republican former Anchorage mayor named Josh Church as his pick for lieutenant governor.