Politics

Juneau

Southeast Alaska set to lose nearly a fifth of its population by 2050, report says

The state document bases the projection on a mixture of increased outmigration and deaths outnumbering births in the region.
drill rigs

China bans export of critical minerals to U.S. as graphite mine near Nome pushes forward

The massive Graphite One project could become the largest U.S. source of the mineral as China reviews graphite exports.
a smartphone

Court upholds a U.S. ban on TikTok

An appeals court agreed that the viral video app must be sold off by its China-based parent company.
a map

A new study touts the economics of building the Alaska LNG Project, but some lawmakers have doubts

If it’s built, the full pipeline project would move natural gas from the North Slope to Nikiski, where it'd be prepared for shipment overseas.
A crane lifts a conex

Increase in Port of Alaska surcharge could raise price on goods 

But Anchorage officials said it probably won’t be very noticeable to the average Alaskan.

Recount of ranked choice repeal ballot measure gets underway in Juneau

The Alaska Republican Party requested the recount, which is being performed at the state’s expense because of the close final margin.
Man speaking in legislative chamber

Alaska Senate’s minority caucus will include 6 Republicans led by Wasilla Sen. Mike Shower

With six members, the conservative minority would be guaranteed seats on legislative committees and be able to hire additional staff.
a building

Trump transition team signs an agreement for security clearances

The new agreement will help Trump officials access classified information needed to prepare to take over on Jan. 20.
crowd of people in a grandiose building, surrounding a small figure

Murkowski could be an obstacle to Trump’s ambition, but only with help from GOP colleagues

Senate dynamics in the next Trump administration will spotlight Murkowski’s willingness to go against the party.

A 9-year-old Kenai girl is the star at the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree ceremony

Rose Burke won an essay contest, so she got to throw the switch to light an 80-foot spruce from Southeast Alaska.
People walk on a construction area in fornt of some suburban houses and a snow covered mountain.

Alaska’s state-backed housing lender relaunches $10K rebate for new energy-efficient homes

The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. will offer a $10,000 credit for roughly 650 new homes that receive a five-plus or six-star energy efficiency rating.
a man

Recall petition for Palmer mayor set to open for signatures

The application for a petition to recall Mayor Steve Carrington was approved by city officials last week.
a rendering

Kodiak and Nome property tax cases could have ripple effects statewide

The Kodiak Area Native Association and Norton Sound Health Corp. cases both concern nonprofits' property tax exemptions.
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.

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Alaska At-Large

Your politics roundup from Washington, D.C., Correspondent Liz Ruskin.


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