Alaska News covers the state court system's operations, judicial decisions, staffing changes, and facility improvements across Alaska's courts.
Boney Memorial Courthouse, 303 K St, Anchorage, AK 99501
A judge weighs whether Alaska gets two Dan Sullivans
An Anchorage judge will rule Friday on whether a second "Dan Sullivan" can join Sen. Dan Sullivan on Alaska's primary ballot, as a ballot-printing deadline looms.
by Cale Green2w ago3 min readAnchorage, AK, USA
Palmer Courthouse finally gets funding for long-needed expansion
The Alaska Court System is moving forward with a $4.95 million expansion to address growing judicial demand in the state's fastest-growing borough, with bids due May 25 and construction starting by mid-August—a concrete response to Mat-Su's population pressures that larger outlets haven't covered at the procurement stage.
by Alaska News1mo ago2 min readAIPalmer, Alaska
Alaska Supreme Court clarifies active-efforts standard in Jace B. ICWA case
The May 29 opinion in Jace B. v. State (S-19490, No. 2035) addresses whether OCS met ICWA's active-efforts requirement when seeking to terminate parental rights to a newborn identified as an Indian child through tribal eligibility. The court applies existing doctrine to fact-specific circumstances rather than rewriting the framework.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIAlaska
Federal judge blocks removal of petitioner from Alaska in Alebw case
Chief U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason issued an amended temporary restraining order Wednesday blocking the removal of a petitioner from Alaska, keeping the individual in the state while the court considers the underlying dispute.
by Alaska News1mo ago2 min readAIAlaska
Supreme Court narrows damages path in prison religious-rights cases
Supreme Court ruling in Landor v. Louisiana narrows prisoner religious damages claims, with echoes from Alaska's 2019 Hall v. Alaska DOC Goose Creek settlement
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readAIAlaska
Alaska Judicial Council seeks Kotzebue Superior Court applicants
The Alaska Judicial Council reopened recruitment for a Kotzebue Superior Court judge after Paul A. Roetman announced his retirement. The seat serves Northwest Alaska's Second Judicial District.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAIAlaska
Juneau's federal court office keeps closing, with no end in sight
The U.S. District Court closed its Juneau clerk's office on June 12 and 15 over staffing shortages — the latest in a string of 2026 closures.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3w ago2 min readAIJuneau, Alaska
Ketchikan Superior Court Judge Katherine Lybrand seeks retention
Katherine Lybrand, appointed to Ketchikan Superior Court in 2022, faces her first retention election in November 2026. She handles criminal, family, and child welfare cases in Ketchikan and Petersburg.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 1mo ago1 min readAIKetchikan
If you're facing a custody or divorce case in Alaska, these rules apply from day one
A statewide Alaska court standing order automatically bars parents in contested divorce and custody cases from removing children from the state, selling marital property, or canceling insurance.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2w ago2 min readAIAlaska
Alaska judicial watchdog names new director after 37 years
The Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct appointed Michael Schwaiger as executive director effective June 15, replacing Marla Greenstein after her 37-year tenure at the state's judicial ethics oversight agency.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI510 L Street, Suite 585, Anchorage, Alaska 99501
