Washington, D.C.

Joe Biden

Biden says Native boarding school monument ensures history will not be erased

President Joe Biden says the monument, to be created at a former boarding school in Pennsylvania, builds on his apology to tribes.
Joe Biden

Biden commutes the sentences for 1,500 people, the largest act of clemency in a day

The 1,500 people had been serving long prison sentences that would have been shorter under today's laws and practices.
Christopher Wray

FBI Director Wray to resign at end of Biden administration

Christopher Wray told employees at an FBI town hall that he will resign to "avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray."
protesters

Albertsons sues Kroger and ends failed grocery megamerger

The lawsuit over a deal to combine the two largest U.S. supermarkets came just a day after it was blocked in two federal courts.
a river

Biden administration includes restrictions in Arctic refuge oil lease sale

In its decision, the BLM limited the lease sales to 400,000 acres, which is one-quarter of the coastal plain section of the refuge.
the Supreme Court

Supreme Court rejects challenge to Hawaii gun licensing rules — for now

At issue was a Hawaii Supreme Court decision that allowed the state to prosecute a man carrying a loaded pistol without a license.
Syrians

Rebels seize control of Syria’s capital as Assad flees to Russia

The Syrian government collapsed early Sunday, as deposed President Bashar al-Assad was granted asylum by Russia.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
a road

‘Enough is enough’: King Cove officials hail Biden Administration backing for Izembek road

While residents call the road a matter of life and death, environmental advocates say it could threaten vital wildlife habitat.

Alaska’s dark-money law survives legal challenge

The law was part of the ranked choice voting initiative voters passed in 2020. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a legal challenge.
a man

Trump’s threats of mass deportations lead to hard discussions for families

As Donald Trump ramps up promises, 11 million Americans related to immigrants without legal status are having hard talks.

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Alaska At-Large

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


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