Washington, D.C.

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.
people counting ballots

Ballot measure to repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting system is now failing by 192 votes

Out of 314,056 ballots counted so far, “No” on Ballot Measure 2 now leads by 192 votes, 50.03% to 49.97%.
a man at a podium

Trump picks North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Interior Department

Burgum ran in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. He then became a vocal supporter of Preesident-elect Donald Trump and was shortlisted for the GOP vice presidential nomination.
activists

Trump wants to ‘Drill, baby, drill.’ What does that mean for climate concerns?

President-elect Donald Trump wants to increase oil and gas production and roll back the Inflation Reduction Act.
a man in a suit at a podium

Trump picks RFK Jr. to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a former presidential candidate who has a history of spreading conspiracy theories, including about vaccines — is poised to have a key health role in the Trump administration.
birds fly by a mountain

Biden administration gives support to controversial land trade in Alaska wildlife refuge

A land swap would allow for a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge that supporters say King Cove needs; opponents say it would be ecologically ruinous.

Trump’s pick for attorney general isn’t a ‘serious candidate,’ Murkowski says

A spotlight will be on Lisa Murkowski as a GOP senator who could block Trump's agenda. The Gaetz nomination offers a preview.

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Alaska At-Large

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


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