Politics & Government
RSSPolitics & Government in Alaska is the activity of state and local elections, lawmaking and public administration. It covers campaigns, ballot measures, ethics and campaign finance, legislative and executive action, and municipal and borough council decisions across Alaska communities.
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Wednesday, Oct 14
Kodiak jury convicts former jail corrections officer of sexually assaulting a prisoner
A Kodiak jury found a 27-year-old former Kodiak Jail corrections officer guilty of third-degree sexual assault against a female prisoner. Sentencing is Feb. 8, 2027.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read
Denali Borough fire chiefs to meet every other week on Cantwell winter coverage
Denali Borough fire chiefs will huddle every other week to keep Cantwell's fire and EMS going this winter while the borough chases federal rural health money.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4w ago1 min read
Dunleavy proclaims Charlie Kirk Day for a second year and Employment First Awareness Week
Dunleavy proclaimed Charlie Kirk Day for a second year Wednesday, two days after naming this Employment First Awareness Week for Alaskans with disabilities.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read
Bronson stays in governor's race, disputing Trump's account of deal to quit
Trump says Bronson agreed to quit the governor's race. Bronson says they remember the calls differently, and he is staying in.
by Alaska News4w ago2 min read
Social Security checks for about 123,000 Alaskans will rise 3.6% starting in January
Social Security checks rise 3.6% in 2027, about $75 a month for the average retiree, before Medicare takes its cut. About 123,000 Alaskans collect.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago1 min read
Craig certifies uncontested city election after 9.7% turnout
Every Craig candidate ran unopposed, turnout was 9.7%, and the council counted the 13 absentee ballots by hand at the table. Democracy, small-town edition.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read
Northeast Anchorage council urges "thorough and independent" study of Assembly spending
A Northeast Anchorage community council voted 19-0 to back the Assembly's spending study, and asked members and staff to skip the "half-hearted compliance."
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min read
Giessel says free AIDEA land transfer takes over the Legislature's appropriation power
Giessel says giving 20,000 acres near Houston to AIDEA free takes the Legislature's power of the purse. Her math: a lease could bring in $14 million a year.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read
More from Politics & Government
LaFrance budget would add seven city plow operators, cut $1 million in snow contracts
Anchorage's 2027 budget would add seven city plow operators and spend $1 million less on snow contractors, nudging plowing toward city crews.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read
Air Guard flies two people hurt in avalanche near Eklutna Lake to Anchorage hospital
Air National Guard rescuers flew two people injured in an avalanche near Eklutna Lake to an Anchorage hospital Saturday. Officials urge avalanche gear and a buddy system as the season begins.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4w ago1 min read
Anchorage proposal would give tax-exempt property owners 90 days to certify they qualify
Anchorage's tax-exemption audit could run into 2032. One proposed fix: spread out the certification paperwork instead of letting it pile up in March.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read
Anchorage officials want to keep private plan review rules but warn of a conflict
Nearly all new homes in Anchorage's building safety area get plan checks from private reviewers. Officials want the rules kept but warn contractors pick them.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read
Senate committee votes to subpoena DNR commissioner over AIDEA land transfers
One invitation declined, another still pending. Senate Resources voted to subpoena DNR Commissioner John Crowther for Oct. 26 over free land transfers to AIDEA.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago4 min read
Alaska's EMS clinicians gather for 50th symposium after a year of licensing changes
Alaska's EMTs head to Girdwood for their 50th symposium with a new compact, fingerprint checks coming and, in some places, a struggle to keep volunteers.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Nome mayor breaks tie to grant cab license city denied over decades-old felony
Nome's mayor broke a 3-3 tie to grant a cab license that staff denied over a decades-old felony. The clerk said city code left him no choice.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read
House candidate Sheldon Prout amends disclosure to describe 2025 advance work for vice president
Kodiak House candidate Sheldon Prout amended his disclosure, calling his 2025 vice president office work a seven day advance job. Rival Kathy Simpler has outraised him nearly five to one.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read
About Politics & Government
Politics and government in Alaska takes in state and local elections, lawmaking and public administration. It covers campaigns, ballot measures, campaign finance, legislative and executive action, and decisions by municipal assemblies and borough and city councils.
Recurring questions include how campaigns are funded and who pays for outside spending and political messages, which candidates qualify for the ballot, and how state agencies write and repeal regulations. Local governments such as the Anchorage Assembly and the Ketchikan assembly weigh spending on roads, water systems and police programs.
The subject reaches across the Legislature, state agencies and municipal governments. Advisory boards and councils that take public comment on matters such as state parks and disability policy are part of it as well.
More from Politics & Government
Whittier council meets behind closed doors on firing city manager, takes no action
Whittier's council voted 4-3 to talk privately about firing its city manager, spent an hour behind closed doors, then adjourned without acting.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Nome council asks utility board to move its meetings from the power plant to City Hall
Nome's council asked the utility board to move its meetings from the power plant to City Hall, citing poor audio and low turnout. The board takes up the request next Tuesday.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
LaFrance appoints deputy Loren Crawford as Anchorage's municipal treasurer
Anchorage has a new treasurer, or will once the Assembly signs off. Loren Crawford has been running the office as acting treasurer since August.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Utqiaġvik lagoon death prompts questions on rescue training
After a young man died in an Utqiaġvik lagoon, an assembly member questioned fire training and equipment. The mayor said training is being rebuilt.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Tuesday, Oct 13
Kratom coalition hires Frank Bickford to lobby Alaska lawmakers and agencies
A kratom group is paying Frank Bickford $30,000 a year to lobby Alaska. It backs banning concentrated 7-OH, not the leaf. So does a draft Anchorage ordinance.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Trump pardons two Anchorage diesel shop owners onstage at Wasilla campaign rally
Trump pardoned two Anchorage diesel shop owners onstage in Wasilla. He said they faced 10 years for fixing an engine. The charge maxed out at five.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Rule would require attorney general's OK for Alaska agencies to sue or settle
A proposed rule would make state agencies get the attorney general's OK to sue, settle, appeal or hire lawyers. Does it cover the Permanent Fund? Law won't say.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
North Slope Borough adopts eminent domain policy reaching beyond the seawall
The North Slope Borough adopted an eminent domain policy Tuesday, its first its lawyers could find, and cut the seawall name so it can reach other projects.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
Kaktovik glycol response cost roughly $200,000, North Slope mayor estimates
North Slope Borough Mayor Josiah Patkotak says Kaktovik's glycol response cost roughly $200,000. He wants the state to require glycol testing.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Progressive group behind Alaska Voter Guide went by 907 Action until August
Alaska Voter Guide isn't the state's pamphlet. It's a progressive political group that went by 907 Action until August. Steven Spielberg gave it $5,000 in 2024.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read
Valdez school board asks city for $15.1 million, a 29% increase over this year
Valdez's taxable value jumped 56%, and the school board wants its share: $15.1 million from the city, up nearly 29% from this year. The council decides.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Murdoch gives $500,000 to No on 2 as repeal side reports $279,000 from Aurora
Kathryn Murdoch gave $500,000 to fight the ranked choice repeal. The repeal side got $279,000 from Aurora Action Network. Both sides' latest filings are in.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Alina Rubeo wins Wasilla mayor's race with 67% of the vote, avoiding a runoff
Alina Rubeo will be Wasilla's next mayor after winning 67% of the vote, easily avoiding a runoff. Ian Crafton held his council seat by 51 votes.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Houston certifies election, swears in Johansen and Brasel for new terms
Houston certified its Oct. 6 election Monday and swore in Lisa Johansen and Jeff Brasel for new three-year terms. About 5% of voters showed up.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
DLCC-funded group reports $172,748 against five Republican Alaska House candidates
A DLCC-funded group in D.C. has spent or owes $172,748.70 against five Alaska House Republicans. None of its listed true sources has an Alaska address.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Three governor candidates lay out rural energy and subsistence plans at Tanana Chiefs forum
Three governor candidates pitched rural energy and subsistence fixes at a Tanana Chiefs forum. • Kreiss-Tomkins vowed to protect PCE funding and drop federal subsistence lawsuits. • Taylor pushed a constitutional amendment for state fish and game control. • Bronson proposed river roads like Fairbanks to Galena to cut costs.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Klejka wins Bethel's fourth council seat by 15 votes after canvass
Joseph Klejka won Bethel's last council seat by 15 votes. The resolution certifying it gives him a "one-year term ending October 2028," a math problem.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Palmer swears in Bruce Brown after election with under 5% turnout
Palmer swore in its newest council member Monday after an election that drew fewer than 5% of voters. Alison Collins is the new deputy mayor.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Trump endorses Wilson
Trump endorsed Bernadette Wilson for governor, attacked two Republican rivals and urged the GOP field to unite behind her.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom 
Supporters line up as protesters prepare for Trump rally in Wasilla
Trump is scheduled to speak at 3:30pm Tuesday in Wasilla for Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich, with roads closed nearby. Protesters are rallying separately at Newcomb Park.
by Alaska News1mo ago2 min read
Driver strikes and kills man crossing East 15th Avenue in Anchorage
A driver struck and killed a man crossing East 15th Avenue at Medfra Street in Anchorage on Tuesday morning. The driver stayed, and no charges have been filed.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Pickup driver hits vehicle at Fairbanks gas station and drives off, troopers say
A white pickup hit a woman's vehicle at a Fairbanks gas station Monday and drove off. The camera couldn't make out the plate, so troopers need leads.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago1 min read
State approves Haines barge landing that its forestry division says could also ship timber
The state approved a 25-year lease for a barge landing on Haines' Lutak Inlet. The state forestry division says it could also be used to move timber.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read
House District 36 candidates back trawling limits at Tanana Chiefs forum
Rep. Rebecca Schwanke and challenger Crystal Jones both called for limits on trawling at a Tanana Chiefs Conference forum, and laid out ways to cut rural costs.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
