Biden Struggles to Defend His Presidency Amid Setbacks
June 2 By Susan Milligan President Joe Biden has a lot of problems, and he’s spent the week trying to convince Americans he’s doing something about them. From baby formula shortages to the war in Ukraine to high inflation, the president wants voters to know…
Palin leads Alaska’s U.S. House hopefuls in fundraising, but nearly 90% of the money appears to be from out of state
June 2 By Nathaniel Herz Republican Sarah Palin raised the most cash of the four dozen people seeking to be Alaska’s next representative in the U.S. House — but just a tiny fraction of her $630,000 haul appears to have come from inside the state…
House Democrats Prepare Gun Control Legislation Amid Bipartisan Talks in Senate
June 1 By Lisa Hagen House Democrats are preparing gun control legislation in response to recent mass shootings in New York and Texas, taking fast action on a package of bills. But all eyes are on the Senate, where a bipartisan group meets again this…
Gov. Dunleavy’s office signs contract with former aide who’s also being paid to help with his re-election
June 1 By Nathaniel Herz Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has signed a consulting contract with longtime ally Brett Huber, who will simultaneously work for the governor’s office on a “statehood defense” initiative and consult for a Republican group that’s seeking to boost Dunleavy’s campaign. Dunleavy’s…
Pentagon: Russia ‘Weaponizing Food’ With Ukraine Blockade as Global Food Crisis Looms
May 31 By Paul D. Shinkman The Pentagon on Thursday blasted Russia for “weaponizing food” following growing criticism in the West that Moscow’s blockades of grain and other exports from Ukraine – the breadbasket of Europe — have forced a burgeoning global crisis. “This is…
Q&A with Alaska U.S. House candidates: What should the federal government do to address mass shootings?
May 31 What do you think should be done by the federal government to address mass shootings? Jay R. Armstrong (R) I’m a constitutionalist, no compromise. Our natural rights aren’t given to us by governments, and our civil rights are restrictions against the governments. The…
China Expresses Outrage at Biden’s Comments That U.S. Would Defend Taiwan
May 30 By Paul D. Shinkman China on Monday expressed outrage at President Joe Biden’s apparent break from America’s prior policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding Taiwan, blasting his assertion that the U.S. would militarily defend the island nation if Beijing invaded. No country should underestimate…
Legislature includes $200M for Port of Alaska rebuild in budget
May 28 By Emily Goodykoontz The Alaska Legislature has included $200 million in funding in the capital budget to help rebuild the Port of Alaska. That’s a third of the hefty $600 million state funding request made by Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and the Assembly…
Trump Defends Second Amendment in Speech to NRA Days After Texas Shooting
May 27 By Susan Milligan With the nation in fresh mourning and horror over the shooting deaths of 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school and the delayed response of law enforcement, many Texas politicians and performers skipped the National Rifle Association…
Assembly sets June meeting to consider codifying process to remove Anchorage mayors for ‘breach of the public trust’
May 27 By Emily Goodykoontz The Anchorage Assembly has set a special June 1 meeting to hear more public testimony and possibly vote on legislation that would add to city code a process for removing a mayor from office for a “breach of the public…
The State of Police Reform Two Years After Floyd’s Murder
May 26 By Brianna Navarre On Memorial Day two years ago, George Floyd was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis. Videos of the encounter spread like wildfire on social media, sparking outrage, protests in the streets of major U.S. and international cities, and…
Alaska Senate president says he won’t seek reelection
May 26 By Linda Smith Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche said Wednesday he will not seek reelection this year, citing a desire to spend more time with family. His announcement comes after the Legislature last week ended its four-month regular session and a week before…