Politics

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

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.
a tracker

Alaska elections officials plan to debut new ballot-tracking system with Aug. 20 primary

The system will allow the Division of Elections to track packages of ballots as they return to Juneau from remote locations.
a man holds a child and shakes hands

What you need to know about the child tax credit as both campaigns embrace it

A major expansion of the child tax credit during the height of the COVID pandemic temporarily slashed the child poverty rate in half.
a mountain

In America’s largest state House district, 6 people vie for a seat in the Alaska Legislature

The contest for Interior Alaska’s House District 36 has more candidates than any other legislative race this year.
images of three people

Peltola still holds fundraising cash advantage in U.S. House race, new figures show

In the past month, Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola has raised more money than her Republican competitors and has more cash on hand.
poll workers

Alaska’s pre-primary election turnout is down from extraordinary 2022 and 2020 primaries

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic emergency boosted absentee turnout to record highs, and in 2022, there was a special U.S. House election.
Lisa Murkowski

Advocates, Murkowski seek next steps after Native boarding school report

Alaska boarding-school survivors and Sen. Lisa Murkowski applaud the federal report, but say it tells only part of the story.
Hoonah

Boundary commission report recommends denial of Hoonah borough petition

Staff with Alaska’s Local Boundary Commission cited “substantive concerns” with the plan, before members meet Sept. 5 in Hoonah.
a rally

Alaska school districts got a one-time funding boost. It came too late for many teachers.

Many school boards opted for conservative budgets that included layoffs of teachers before the governor signed the budget this year.
an icebreaker

Coast Guard icebreaker Healy cancels Arctic mission after electrical fire

The Healy, one of only two operational U.S. icebreakers, had just begun its summer patrol northwest of Alaska in the Chukchi Sea.
a meeting

Inside the ‘titanic’ legal case that will help determine Alaska’s energy future: an analysis

Written testimony and public hearings help explain how an Anchorage electric utility’s proposed rate hike could affect consumers.
a state ferry

Kodiak celebrates state ferry Tustumena’s 60 years of service

Kodiak held a block party to mark the "Trusty Tusty's" diamond anniversary, with officials sharing updates about her replacement.
Pilot Station

Pilot Station city officials charged with felony election interference

Pilot Station acting mayor Arthur Heckman Sr. and city clerk Ruthie Borromeo each face eight counts of violating state election laws.
a woman in glasses at a meeting desk

In Eagle River, a five-way race could be a factor in control of the state Senate

The contest is one of only three that will see a candidate eliminated in the Aug. 20 primary election.
an early voting station

Mail delays postpone the start of pre-Election Day voting in parts of rural Alaska

Democrats expressed worries about the effect of a delay in early voting in some rural areas on Mary Peltola's campaign for U.S. House.
officials

Alaska leaders work together following ‘devastating’ glacial flooding in Juneau

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski toured neighborhoods that experienced record-breaking flooding.

How Alaska wound up with no limits on campaign donations — and how some hope to restore them

A court slashed Alaska's campaign finance laws in 2021. Now, as money pours into candidates' coffers, a campaign seeks to reimpose them.
an early voting station

Early voting opens for Aug. 20 primary; mailed absentee application window closes this week

Under Alaska’s primary election system, all candidates for a particular office run together. The top four vote-getters advance to November.
a museum

Homer museum turns to city for help after Dunleavy vetoes roof repair funds

After Gov. Mike Dunleavy's veto, the Pratt Museum project now hinges on securing money from the City of Homer.
aircraft

Chinese and Russian aircraft joined for ‘first time’ in sortie near Alaska

U.S. experts say four Russian and Chinese bombers intercepted near Alaska signal China’s growing interest in the Arctic.