In Emotional Testimony, Police Condemn Politicians Who Downplayed Capitol Riots
July 28 By Lisa Hagen Police officers who responded to the Jan. 6 attack reconstructed the dangerous and traumatic events of the day at the first hearing of the Democrat-led select committee to investigate the Capitol riots. But they also used their time in the…
US Infrastructure Legislation Stalls
July 27 By Salma Still A group of centrist U.S. senators remained deadlocked Monday on trying to reach agreement on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package to repair the country’s deteriorating roads and bridges and boost funding for broadband internet service. The Republican and Democratic lawmakers…
Ahead of special session, Alaska lawmakers consider phasing in PFD changes along with new revenue
July 26 By Andrew Kitchenman The Alaska Legislature has just days to go before the scheduled start of a special session, on Aug. 2. But it’s not yet clear whether a working group of lawmakers will recommend proposals for the rest to consider during the…
‘Political virus also needs origin tracing’ as US politicizes, stigmatizes epidemic: FM Wang Yi
July 26 By Jim Spears The coronavirus needs origins-tracing, and so does the political virus, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, noting that the US has been trying to politicize the epidemic from the beginning and has continued to spread political viruses…
Here’s how to watch Alaska’s Olympians
July 25 By Lex Treinen Two Alaskans are set to compete in the Olympic Games in Tokyo starting this week. Fans will be able to watch Seward swimmer Lydia Jacoby and Eagle River rugby player Alev Kelter in their respective competitions on TV or online…
Can Pelosi’s power play on Capitol attack panel thwart wrecking tactics?
July 24 By David Smith It was, Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Thursday, one of the darkest days in America’s history – an assault on democracy, Congress and the constitution. “The American people want to know the truth,” she said. But will the truth of…
This week in US politics: Biden takes on Facebook, cosies up to Fox News, to battle vaccine hesitancy
July 23 By Peter Marsh Joe Biden campaigned on making politics boring, and since taking office, he’s been called boring by everyone from Donald Trump to his top White House staffers (yes, even by us, too). Just last week The New York Times published a…
Germany’s Merkel says pipeline deal with US good for Ukraine
July 22 By Geir Moulson German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that a compromise deal that will allow the completion of a Russian gas pipeline to Europe without the imposition of further U.S. sanctions is “good for Ukraine.” The United States and Germany announced the…
Jill Biden stops in Alaska on her way to Tokyo Olympics
July 21 By Margaret Wall Jill Biden embarked Wednesday on her first solo international trip as first lady, leading a U.S. delegation to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the coronavirus is surging and COVID-19 infections have climbed to a six-month high. On her way…
Biden Says Getting Vaccinated ‘Gigantically Important’
July 20 By Alexandra Jaffe President Joe Biden expressed pointed frustration Wednesday over the slowing COVID-19 vaccination rate in the U.S. and pleaded that it’s “gigantically important” for Americans to step up and get inoculated against the virus as it surges once again. Biden, speaking…
Big Infrastructure Bill in Peril; GOP Threatens Filibuster
July 19 By Lisa Mascaro The bipartisan infrastructure deal senators brokered with President Joe Biden is hanging precariously ahead of a crucial Wednesday test vote as they struggle over how to pay for nearly $1 trillion in public works spending. Tensions were rising as Republicans…
Blinken to diplomats: It’s OK to admit U.S. flaws when promoting rights
July 18 By Nahal Toosi Secretary of State Antony Blinken is telling U.S. diplomats to make the promotion of human rights and democracy a priority, even in countries with abusive governments that happen to be U.S. allies. Along the way, Blinken says, it’s fine to…