Politics

All news stories about local, statewide and Washington, D.C., politics.

Unalakleet

Federal government to maintain protections for 28 million acres of Alaska D-1 lands

The move is widely supported by Alaska tribal and conservation groups, but is opposed by the state and its U.S. senators.
a man

Progressive drops out of West Anchorage state House race, leaving Democrat uncontested

Nick Moe had challenged Democrat Carolyn Hall for the House District 16 seat that was left vacant by Jennie Armstrong.
a woman holding a sign that says "Nancy Dahlstrom U.S. Congress"

Why are some Republican candidates quitting Alaska’s general election? Strategy.

With Republican voters reluctant to use ranked choice voting, candidates are seeking to avoid a split in the electorate.
fishing vessels

RurAL CAP connects small businesses — including fishing boats — with federal energy dollars

RurAL CAP staff can help small businesses navigate applying for REAP grants, which pay up to 50% of many energy upgrades' costs.
a drilling rig

Small Cook Inlet producers say they need state government help before drilling for new natural gas

One company says it needs more support after $7 million of its loans were forgiven. Another wants a royalty reduction to drill a well.
a profile of a man

RFK is ending his presidential bid in key states, urging supporters to vote for Trump

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he is suspending his long-shot run and removing his name from ballots in battleground states.
A woman in a blazer smiles at the camera.

Nancy Dahlstrom drops out of Alaska’s U.S. House race

Dahlstrom announced the end of her candidacy after placing third in the primary, behind Democrat Mary Peltola and fellow Republican Nick Begich III.
a man

Matt Salisbury is the No. 4 candidate in Alaska’s U.S. House voting. Who is he?

After primary election day, Salisbury was in line to join Mary Peltola, Nick Begich and Nancy Dahlstrom in Alaska’s final four.
pins

Alaska Supreme Court upholds ranked choice repeal initiative, now bound for November vote

Ballot Measure 2 would end ranked choice voting and the state’s open primary election system.
a collage of sample Alaska license plates

How ‘the license plate bill to end license plate bills’ finally passed

Lawmakers have long criticized the inconsequential bills. But they also weren’t willing to stop spending time on them -- until this year.
lawmakers

Alaska delegation asks Biden to act on Canadian mining near transboundary rivers

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Mary Peltola expressed concern over Canadian mining impacts on U.S. communities.
stickers on a table

Progressive candidates show unusual strength in Alaska state legislative primaries

But amid near-record-low turnout, experts warn against drawing conclusions before the November general election.
a map

Southeast tribes seek a pause on Canadian mine near B.C. border

An attorney says the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission hopes to ensure tribes "are not sidelined" by projects.
voters

2 rural Alaska precincts fail to open for primary voting after workers don’t respond to state

In addition to the precincts that didn’t open, others opened roughly three hours late, around 10 a.m., officials said.
profile shots of three people

It’s Peltola, Begich, Dahlstrom in U.S. House race

The primary prunes the candidates from a dozen to four. Frequent candidate Gerald Heikes gained name recognition from a negative ad campaign.
A woman with blonde hair in a yellow button-up shirt stands next to a voting machine smiling as a woman in a grey shirt with grey hair and glasses watches.

3 things to know about voting in Alaska’s primary election

Alaskans have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to vote in the primary. Here's what's on the ballot, how to vote, and when to expect results.
king salmon

9th Circuit lifts closure of Southeast Alaska king salmon troll fishery

A three-judge panel partially reversed a lower court ruling in a lawsuit brought by the Washington-based Wild Fish Conservancy.
houses

Governor signs bill putting more guardrails on property assessments

Senate Bill 179 prevents municipalities from raising the assessed value of properties during an appeal process, among other changes.
Bethel

Justice to monitor Alaska primary election for compliance with language requirements

The Department of Justice will have observers in certain rural areas to see if Indigenous language speakers are served properly.

Disagreements over bipartisanship fuel five-way race for Eagle River state Senate seat

Sen. Kelly Merrick says she joined a 17-member bipartisan Senate majority to get things done. Opponents say she betrayed conservative voters.