Politics
Dunleavy announces new Alaska Military Affairs Office to improve coordination, boost priorities
Funded with federal grant dollars, the office will coordinate among Alaska stakeholders on dual-purpose infrastructure and military investment.
Alaskans to vote on campaign finance limits after 4 years of uncapped contributions
Alaska’s previous contribution limits were invalidated by a federal court decision in 2021. In the Aug. 18 primary, voters will decide whether to once again implement limits.
Judge allows federal land transfer to state that will support Ambler Road and Alaska LNG
Several conservation groups had sued to stop the action.
Outside megadonors fuel campaigns over the future of Alaska’s election system
Alaskans will again be asked this year whether they would like to repeal the voting system adopted in 2020.
3rd Alaska LNG special session starts with no bill from governor, 4 lawmakers present
After failing to get a bill past both chambers multiple times this year, lawmakers said they’re waiting on Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s legislation.
House race in deep-red Mat-Su district reflects divisions among Alaska Republicans
Big Lake Republican Rep. Kevin McCabe is seeking a fourth term, facing off with four challengers — all but one of them from his own party.
Hickel descendants ask Bernadette Wilson to stop using former governor’s image in her campaign
Wilson has prominently featured her family relationship with former Gov. Wally Hickel, her great-uncle, in campaign messaging.
Alaska removes thousands from state’s active voter list, erroneously flagging some citizens
The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles sent “old data” to the Division of Elections, the state’s elections director told lawmakers, but the DMV says elections officials asked for it.
Alaska elections division official blocks journalist’s camera after hearing on U.S. Senate race ballot listing
The encounter came as Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher was leaving a hearing at the Legislative Information Office in Anchorage, where she answered questions from lawmakers about how the division designed the August primary ballot.
Democrat in Alaska’s governor race reports $1.8 million fundraising haul, driven by Californians
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins reported raising more than $1 million from wealthy Outsiders.
Alaska tribes and conservation group sue to stop construction of King Cove road
The groups are trying to stop construction that Gov. Mike Dunleavy has said would soon begin.
Key takeaways as Alaska legislative candidates have raised over $1M since February
Candidates vying for five open legislative seats across Alaska brought in some of the largest campaign fundraising hauls. Challenges to some incumbents, such as Rep. Ky Holland and Sen. George Rauscher, also drew heavy fundraising.
Ahead of another Alaska LNG special session, lawmakers express low hopes for passing bill to support project
House and Senate leaders said there’s not enough agreement to immediately consider a bill for a gas line property tax cut package, while Glenfarne Alaska LNG’s president continued to express optimism about the passage of a bill this year.
Unions sue Alaska Gov. Dunleavy over vacant seats on state’s pension-management board
According to the complaint, two seats on the Alaska Retirement Management Board that are designated for the teachers’ and public employees’ unions have been vacant since March 1.
Peltola raises millions more than Sullivan in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race
The race is one of a handful that could determine control of the chamber in the midterm elections.
Legislative committee orders audit of Alaska Board of Fisheries
The audit comes after acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills blocked a set of restrictions the Board of Fisheries approved in an area near the South Alaska Peninsula.
Head of conference committee says Hilcorp helped influence failure of Alaska LNG bill
A spokesman for Alaska LNG developer Glenfarne challenged Rep. Schrage’s statement. Meanwhile, a Glenfarne lobbyist said that there was no pressure from Hilcorp, but Glenfarne reversed course on supporting the bill due to potential project cost increases.
Democrat Matt Schultz drops out of Alaska’s U.S. House race, backing independent
His departure clears the way for a contest between GOP incumbent Nick Begich and independent Bill Hill.
Governor calls new special session after Alaska LNG tax break bill included corporate income tax expansion
The compromise legislation failed in the House and passed the Senate. It included language to expand the state’s corporate income tax to privately held companies in the oil and gas industry, but with an exemption for the gas line project.
After gasline tax bill, pipeline corporation plans to ask Alaskans for a few billion dollars
If the state doesn’t chip in, its 25% ownership stake will be diluted by other investors, reducing profits in the long term.
Lawmakers expected to unveil compromise Alaska LNG bill Thursday
If the bill isn’t acceptable to Gov. Dunleavy and project developers, the governor could call lawmakers back into a third consecutive special session on the topic.
In Fairbanks, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson says work ethic and determination propelled her to nation’s highest court
The Supreme Court justice drew a crowd of hundreds to an event hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The voter registration deadline for Alaska’s primary election is Sunday. Here’s what to know
In the Aug. 18 primary, Alaskans will choose who will advance to the general election in a slew of statewide races, and vote on a ballot measure that reinstates limits on campaign contributions.
Lawmakers head back to Juneau with Alaska LNG bill unresolved
Disagreements remain on a tax provision that could raise hundreds of millions annually from oil and gas companies. The special session ends Sunday.
With federal permit in hand, Dunleavy administration says construction of King Cove Road imminent, but lawsuits loom
The U.S. Army Corps issued the first-ever permit for a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
To the GOP, he’s a sham candidate. At home, he’s Mr. Sullivan, ex-teacher and US Senate hopeful
Many longtime residents of the small Alaska fishing community of Petersburg say they opposed efforts by the state to keep a local man named Dan Sullivan from running in this year’s U.S. Senate race, even if they’re not voting for him.
Alaska Democrats sue Division of Elections over eligibility of candidate who didn’t report personal finances
The appeal requests that a judge block Republican Jose Tagle from appearing on the ballot in his race against incumbent Anchorage Democratic Rep. Ted Eischeid.
Dunleavy vetoes campaign contribution limits, allowing Alaska ballot initiative to proceed
Voters will be asked in August whether they would like to reinstate limits on campaign contributions.
Alaskans with certain low-level marijuana convictions can keep record private under new law
Alaskans are eligible if they have been convicted of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana, were 21 or older at the time of the arrest, and were not convicted of any other criminal charges in the case.
Wrongfully convicted Alaskans can apply for withheld PFDs under new law
Alaskans whose convictions were vacated, reversed or dismissed will have two years to apply for past dividend payments they were ineligible for while in prison.