Turkey Rejects Links Between NATO Expansion, F-16 Deal
February 20 By Michael Brooks U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday called for Sweden and Finland to be accepted into NATO “as quickly as possible,” although his Turkish counterpart dismissed the possibility of any link between their accession and Turkey’s request for F-16…
What forced Putin to start war with Ukraine
February 20 By Julia O’Malley February 24, 2023 will be exactly one year since Vladimir Putin announced the start of a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine. We decided to find out what made him take this step: imperial ambitions or a real…
At the Alaska Capitol, Rep. Peltola encourages bipartisanship
February 18 By James Brooks For the first time in 31 years, Alaska’s sitting U.S. representative addressed a joint session of the Alaska Legislature. Speaking in the state Capitol on Friday, Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola, D-Alaska, praised the bipartisan coalitions that control the state House…
Mayor Bronson refuses to turn over documents in Anchorage Assembly subpoena
February 17 By Emily Goodykoontz Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson said Thursday he will not comply with a subpoena from the Assembly chair, refusing to hand over and make public internal investigation documents into the hiring and tenure of former Health Department Director Joe Gerace. After…
Georgia Grand Jury Believes Witnesses in Election Probe Committed Perjury
February 16 By Claire Hansen A special grand jury investigating the 2020 election in Georgia and the efforts of former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results concluded that one or more witnesses lied during their testimony, according to parts of the…
Controversial Pastor Opens Nikki Haley’s First Presidential Campaign Rally
February 15 By Claire Hansen A rally kicking off former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s 2024 presidential campaign opened Wednesday with an invocation from a Christian pastor – a practice not unusual for a GOP political event. What was notable, however, was Haley’s choice of…
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy orders review of state jobs that could have degree requirements removed
February 14 By Sean Maguire Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday ordered a review of which state jobs could have four-year college degree requirements eliminated as a way to tackle the public sector’s recruitment and retention crisis. Over 17% of funded state government positions were vacant…
Race for GOP 2024 Nomination Begins as Nikki Haley Prepares to Announce Bid
February 13 By Claire Hansen The race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is seeing some movement after months of rumor and speculation, with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley set to announce her candidacy later this week and become the first to join former…
Anchorage Mayor Bronson picks APOC chair Anne Helzer as next city attorney
February 13 By Emily Goodykoontz Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson on Monday announced his next pick for municipal attorney — Anne Helzer, who is the chair of the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Helzer must be confirmed by the Assembly before she permanently assumes the role. Monday’s…
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan asks Alaska Legislature to rally in defense of Arctic oil project
February 10 By James Brooks In his annual address to the Alaska Legislature, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan called on the Legislature and ordinary Alaskans to speak in defense of the Willow project, a long-planned oil development awaiting federal permission on the North Slope. “The battle…
It was good to be friends with Anchorage’s mayor. Then the investigations began.
February 8 By Kyle Hopkins In August 2021, two Anchorage city officials toured the wood-paneled halls of the Golden Lion Hotel, known for the 200-pound taxidermied lion that once stood among the teal lounge chairs in its lobby. At the time, Anchorage was seeing a…
City human resources director resigns, citing ‘demoralizing work environment’
February 7 By Emily Goodykoontz Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson’s human resources director, Niki Tshibaka, abruptly resigned Monday, citing “an increasingly toxic, hostile, and demoralizing work environment.” His departure is the latest in a string of resignations and firings of top officials in Bronson’s administration. Tshibaka,…