Politics

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

a briefing

South Korea’s lawmakers vote to lift president’s martial law declaration

Yoon Suk Yeol declared an "emergency martial law" on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of paralyzing the government.
a trial

Judge declares mistrial in election-interference trial of former Alaska legislator

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Kevin Saxby found that there was a hung jury in the trial of former Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux.
an icebreaker

Coast Guard secures new icebreaker from civilian service

The Aiviq, named after the Inupiaq word for walrus, was acquired last month. It will join the Coast Guard fleet in 2026.
a man

America’s first Arctic ambassador was just confirmed weeks ago. Now he could be out of a job.

It’s standard for politically appointed ambassadors like Mike Sfraga to leave their posts during a presidential transition.
stickers

Alaska election results are official: Here are 5 takeaways

Among the takeaways: There were no changes in the outcomes, but the margin defeating ranked choice repeal grew.
men walking outside in coats

President Biden pardons son Hunter

The pardon comes in the last weeks of President Biden's time in office and despite his public assurances in the past that he would neither pardon nor commute his son's sentence.

With Anchorage shelters full, Assembly approves $2.3M for more beds

The city’s initial plan was to add 200 new beds, but officials with MASH Property Management were only able to add 132.
ballot document

Alaska Republican Party hires a Trump lawyer to watch recount of ranked choice repeal measure

The measure to repeal ranked choice voting failed by 664 votes. Repeal opponent Scott Kendall is confident the outcome won't change.

Susan Carney tapped as next chief justice of Alaska Supreme Court

Carney was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 2016 by then-Gov. Bill Walker. She’ll be the longest-serving justice on the bench when Maassen retires.
a man

Former Palmer city manager sues for defamation over job terminations

The alleged statements go beyond criticism of a public official, former Palmer City Manager Stephen Jellie said.
a man

Judge grants dismissal of Jan. 6 case against Trump

The move came after federal prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss both the Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago documents cases against Donald Trump.

The U.S. Senate is racing to confirm judges. Sen. Sullivan isn’t.

The senator has voted for fewer than 1% of Biden's nominees to the federal bench. He voted for nearly all of Trump's.

For the first time, women will outnumber men in the Alaska House next year

There will be 21 women in the state House, according to unofficial election results. 43% of the Legislature will be women, a record high.
Donald Trump

Judge indefinitely postpones sentencing in Trump’s hush money case

The decision to indefinitely adjourn next week's sentencing date comes several days after both sides' lawyers agreed to a stay.
a man

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdraws as Trump’s attorney general nominee

Allegations of sex trafficking and drug use had stirred controversy over Matt Gaetz's nomination as attorney general.
Donald Trump

Trump’s promise to fix the fentanyl crisis appealed to voters and alarmed experts

Donald Trump has promised a crackdown that could include military strikes in Mexico. Many experts worry his plan will do harm than good.
the Mat-Su Borough Assembly

Record turnout in Mat-Su Borough election as voters approve major bonds

Borough early voting also shattered a previous record set in 2022.
a man holding signs

Nick Begich III wins Alaska’s U.S. House race

Begich’s win flips a seat from Democrat to Republican, adding to the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House.
people wave signs

Alaska’s ranked choice repeal measure fails by 664 votes

Phil Izon, who led the campaign in support of the ballot measure, said he planned to submit a recount request once the election is certified.
two men

Alaska House Democrats Cliff Groh and CJ McCormick ousted after final ballot count

Groh’s loss leaves just 21 members in a Democrat-heavy bipartisan caucus that is seeking to take control of the Alaska House, a bare majority.