Pelosi Lands in Taiwan as China Lashes Out
August 2 By Paul D. Shinkman House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday and was met with a a furious screed from China’s Foreign Ministry, which blasted what it considers a “provocative” and “wrongful” act on behalf of the entire U.S. government and…
Alaska’s US House candidates split on new voting system ahead of 1st ranked choice election
August 2 By Becky Bohrer Alaska U.S. House candidate Sarah Palin on Monday said the state’s ranked choice voting system “needs to be changed,” though Alaska has yet to conduct an election under the system. The state’s first ranked voting election, under a system narrowly…
In Alaska’s U.S. Senate primary election, a race to finish 4th
August 1 By Lisa Phu The majority of voters going to the polls Aug. 16 will likely be choosing one of three candidates for Alaska’s U.S. Senate seat as their pick-one primary option: incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski, Republican Party-endorsed Kelly Tshibaka or Democratic Party-endorsed Patricia…
Early voting begins in Alaska cities ahead of Aug. 16 election
July 31 By Iris Samuels Early voting opened Monday ahead of the Aug. 16 primary and special U.S. House general elections. The special U.S. House general election will be the first in Alaska determined by ranked choice voting after Alaskans adopted new election rules in…
Veterans health care bill faces uncertain future after Republicans, including Alaska Sen. Sullivan, delay vote
July 30 By Riley Rogerson Veterans protested on Capitol Hill this week after Senate Republicans, including Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, stalled a vote on a veterans health care bill. Both nationally and in Alaska, veterans are frustrated that the long-awaited legislation didn’t pass. The Honoring…
7 apply for upcoming Alaska Supreme Court vacancy
July 29 By James Brooks Three sitting judges and two state attorneys are among seven people vying to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Alaska Supreme Court. The Alaska Judicial Council announced the applicants this week, and after a series of surveys, interviews and public…
‘Do-Nothing’ Congress Actually Gives Joe Biden Some Summer Home Runs
July 28 By Susan Milligan For a president written off as politically dead, his approval ratings in the cellar, Joe Biden is poised to have a remarkably good legislative track record ahead of the daunting midterm elections. The announcement Wednesday that Sen. Joe Manchin, long…
Anchorage Assembly directs $7.6 million toward homelessness relief ahead of winter
July 28 By Emily Goodykoontz The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday approved a $4.2 million funding package to speed the city’s response to a homelessness crisis before winter arrives, plus another $3.4 million to turn a downtown hotel into permanent housing. Assembly members also voted to…
Bill to Boost Chip Production Clears Hurdle in Senate
July 26 By Kaia Hubbard The long-awaited and slimmed-down semiconductor bill passed a procedural hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, teeing up a vote for final passage later this week as the chamber’s August recess quickly approaches. The bill, which would afford more than $50…
Alaska’s US senators noncommittal on House contraception bill as Murkowski pursues different legislation on birth control access
July 25 By Riley Rogerson U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski would not say whether she supports a House bill passed Thursday that would codify the right to contraception, saying she is working on different legislation to safeguard the right. An effort to preserve women’s access to…
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy to sign tribal recognition bill
July 22 By Becky Bohrer Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected next week to sign legislation to formally recognize tribes in the state. The Alaska Federation of Natives announced the bill signing would take place Thursday. Shannon Mason, a Dunleavy spokesperson, confirmed the timing. The…
Democrats Frustrated With Biden, Furious With Manchin
July 20 By Susan Milligan President Joe Biden didn’t mention the “Other Joe” by name when the higher-ranking Democrat announced plans Wednesday to take unilateral action to deal with climate change. But the underlying message was clear: Biden has had enough of Sen. Joe Manchin…