$500 Alaska campaign limit still in effect as federal appeals court could rehear case
August 28 By Sean Maguire A federal appeals court panel struck down some Alaska campaign contribution limits in late July, but that case could be reheard. In the meantime, the old restrictions are still in effect. The three-member Ninth Circuit appeals court panel said some…
U.S. and allies warn more terrorist attacks likely as Afghanistan withdrawal deadline nears
August 27 By Amanda Macias The U.S. and its allies have warned that more terrorist attacks in Kabul are likely, as the deadline for military withdrawal from Afghanistan draws near. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden’s national security team warned on…
‘The crisis we have been warning about is here’: Alaska reports 701 new resident COVID-19 cases, the year’s highest daily tally, as hospital counts swell
August 26 By Zaz Hollander Alaska reported 701 new COVID-19 cases in residents on Thursday, the highest daily count so far this year, and one of the highest since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020. Hospitalizations of COVID-positive patients are also nearing pandemic highs,…
Blue, But Bipartisan: Can Vermont Be a Model for the Rest of the U.S.?
August 25 By Louis Jacobson Vermont is one of the bluest states in the nation. It gave Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden two-thirds of the vote in 2020, providing Biden with his single biggest winning margin in any state. Vermont sends a socialist, Bernie Sanders,…
Arizona Senate GOP’s 2020 Election Report Delayed Again
August 24 By Bob Christie The delivery of a report on the 2020 vote count to Arizona state Senate Republicans was delayed yet again Monday after the Donald Trump supporter hired to lead the effort and several others involved contracted COVID-19 “and are quite sick,”…
Biden Says US-Led Evacuation From Kabul Is Accelerating
August 23 By Darlene Superville President Joe Biden said Sunday the U.S.-led evacuation of Americans, at-risk Afghans and others from the Kabul airport accelerated this weekend, although it remains vulnerable to threats posed by the Islamic State extremist group. One week after the Taliban completed…
‘Taliban wants ties with all countries, including US,’ says political chief
August 22 By Robert Burns Taliban’s political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar on Saturday said the insurgent group intends to have economic and trade ties with all countries around the world, including the US. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants diplomatic and trade ties with…
Alaska Governor Adds Bill for Dividend to Session Agenda
August 21 By BiLL Brown Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday added to the special session agenda a spending bill that would allow for payment of a permanent fund dividend to residents this year. Dunleavy had said he wanted lawmakers during the special session that…
Europe left exposed as Biden walks America away from the world stage
August 20 By Luke McGee When US President Joe Biden finally broke his silence on the chaos unfolding in Afghanistan, European allies who’d had high hopes for a reset in the transatlantic alliance were left dismayed. Their disappointment was not at the contents of Biden’s…
Court orders Biden administration to redo ‘legally flawed’ reviews of Conoco Alaska oil project
August 19 By Ben Lefebvre A federal court on Wednesday ordered the Biden administration to re-do environmental reviews necessary for permits for a controversial Alaskan oil project, throwing the decision to approve the project back to the agencies. Details: The ruling out of the United…
Arctic today
August 18 By Bill Smith Today, as never before, the problem of preserving the flora and fauna of the Arctic region is acute. In addition to Russia, a number of Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Canada, fall into the zone of…
States Banning Mask Mandates Could Face Civil Rights Probes
August 18 By Collin Binkley In an escalating battle with Republican governors, President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered his Education secretary to explore possible legal action against states that have blocked school mask mandates and other public health measures meant to protect students against COVID-19….