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.
Inside Politics & Government
Places and organizations in this news
Numbers are stories in the last 30 days.
Have a story about Politics & Government? Send a tip
Friday, Jul 31
A bill to give the Coast Guard its own secretary, one of several that haven't moved
A Senate bill would give the Coast Guard its own civilian secretary, mirroring the other armed services. It's the third such attempt this Congress, and like the others, it's parked in committee.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Record outside money floods Alaska's Senate race from both sides
Record money is flooding Alaska's Peltola-Sullivan Senate race from both sides, with super PACs pledging $15M for Sullivan and $11M for Peltola.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
A cap on what families pay for child care is going away, with both Alaska senators' votes
A federal cap limiting what low-income families pay for child care is being removed, and both Alaska senators voted to let the rollback stand. States now set their own rates.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Juneau neighbors want a homeless camp cleared after a reported bear shooting
Neighbors near Juneau's Governor's Mansion want a homeless camp cleared after a camper reportedly shot a bear — a flashpoint in Alaska's rising camp tension.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Some Sitka customers can't reach 911; call dispatch directly
Some Sitka phone customers can't reach 911 after a vehicle hit a utility line. Until it's fixed, call dispatch directly at 907-747-3245, staffed 24/7.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
The gas tax special session has stalled, with the bill already dead
Lawmakers were called back for a special session on taxing natural gas. The House already killed the bill, so both chambers are now meeting just to meet.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Anchorage wants a public board to steer its Chugach access money — and set qualifications for who runs it
Anchorage wants to turn the informal group steering its Chugach access tax money into a formal board with defined expertise — one that vets trailhead and road projects in public rather than privately.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
The Anchorage Assembly studied how to remove one of its own. It never has.
The Anchorage Assembly studied how to remove one of its own members, a power it has never used and, on a coalition body, likely won't. The member in question sat in on the session.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
More from Politics & Government
Bethel's safety and taxi commission is down to two of six members
Bethel's commission overseeing public safety and its huge taxi fleet is down to two of six seats — with a taxi fare hike on its agenda in a busy hub town.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Alaska is losing federal jobs faster than almost any state
Alaska lost federal jobs faster than nearly every state in 2025, and one economist says the two-year drop, 15.8%, is steeper still. The ripple hits housing, grants and whole towns.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Outside money keeps flowing into the Alaska Senate race — mostly against Sullivan
Outside groups poured another $210,000 into the Alaska Senate race this week, mostly against Sullivan — the latest in a year where Peltola leads the money flow but Sullivan holds other edges.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Kodiak's spaceport is expanding as the FAA moves to waive its reviews
Kodiak's spaceport is ramping up for military launches just as the FAA proposes waiving the environmental and tribal reviews that would scrutinize the buildup.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Should every Kodiak nonprofit get the same grant? One assembly member says yes
A Kodiak assembly member wants every nonprofit in a category to get the same grant to avoid favoritism; others prefer need-based amounts. The Humane Society, currently zeroed out, is the flashpoint. Vote Aug. 6.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Kodiak Assembly splits over what a marijuana tax should pay for
Kodiak's Assembly is fighting over what a proposed 3% marijuana tax should fund before deciding whether to even put it to voters in October.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
31 acres near Ester may go to an unnamed applicant without an auction
The state may convey 31 acres near Ester to an applicant without an auction under a public-use provision — but the notice won't say who gets the land.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Thursday, Jul 30
Retired APD lieutenant elected to oversee police and fire pensions
Retired APD Lt. Tony Henry was elected 115-to-119 to the police seat on Anchorage's police and fire pension board, pending Assembly confirmation Aug. 4.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 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
Alaska takes over hazardous waste rules, with enforcement in question
Alaska just took over hazardous waste regulation from the feds — the first state in 25 years. The open question: can it enforce the rules in remote Alaska?
by Lucas Brown3mo ago1 min read
NTSB: Bering Air crash that killed 10 was a chain of preventable failures
The NTSB found the Bering Air crash that killed 10 near Nome resulted from a chain of preventable failures — an overweight plane the company routinely flew heavy, severe icing, and a pilot overloaded in the final minutes.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
The smoke over Fairbanks is from a fire the state is choosing to let burn
The smoke over Fairbanks is from the Tatlanika Fire, which the state is monitoring rather than suppressing because no structures are threatened. It's grown to about 2,000 acres.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
A sacred Athabascan site stranded inside Denali for 47 years moves closer to return
A sacred Athabascan rock formation stranded inside Denali National Park since 1980 cleared its first Senate hurdle Wednesday, moving closer to return to Doyon after a 47-year wait.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Alaska moves to return 40 acres it wrongly took from a Native allotment
Alaska is moving to return nearly 40 acres near Tok that it says was wrongly conveyed to the state, so the federal government can complete a Native allotment claim in Emma Northway's name.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Fairbanks has 1,000 miles of trails and no rules for tour operators
Fairbanks trails host skiers, mushers, fatbikers and berry pickers — and now tour operators driving through neighborhoods to reach them, with no rules yet.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
A substitute would swap Martinez's removal for a travel investigation
A substitute before the Anchorage Assembly would drop the effort to remove George Martinez and instead investigate his travel since 2023. Members vote Aug. 4.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Begich holds front-runner's edge as Hill emerges from the field to challenge him
Begich enters Alaska's U.S. House primary the clear front-runner on money and polling; independent Bill Hill emerged as a leading challenger after a Democrat dropped out. Vote Aug. 18.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Six Kasilof dipnetters cited this month, all for failing to record catch
Six people got cited on Kasilof dipnet fisheries this month, none for taking too many fish, all for forgetting to write down what they caught. Bail runs $120.
by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min read
The state may give 20,000 acres near Houston to a development authority
The state may give a development authority nearly 20,000 acres north of Houston for data centers and industry. DNR sees jobs — but also reduced trail access.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Kodiak wants dispatch to sound tsunami sirens without waiting for a federal alert
Kodiak may let dispatchers sound tsunami sirens the moment they see the signs, without waiting for a federal alert — a change built for a coast where the wave can outrun the warning.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
An Ekwok safety officer was assaulted doing the job alone
An Ekwok village safety officer was assaulted at the clinic following up on a case — the risk of being the lone law enforcement in a remote village.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
A board steering Anchorage's biggest project met nine times. The public heard about one.
A board advising Anchorage's $2.7B port rebuild met nine times and told the public about one — voting on design questions with almost no public notice.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
TPS holders in Alaska: check your work permit — don't assume it was extended
TPS holders in Alaska should check their work permit expiration date and not assume it was extended — automatic extensions have been cut, and an expired card can cost a job.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Green card seekers in Alaska face a wider benefits review starting Sept. 18
A federal rule effective Sept. 18 broadens the public charge review for green card applicants in Alaska; advocates warn families may drop Medicaid or food aid out of fear.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Alaska stands up a new office to coordinate military affairs
Alaska has a new office to coordinate military affairs and chase federal defense money. Its cost and staffing weren't disclosed Thursday.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Anchorage Assembly weighs new police SUVs and an off-market firehouse sale
The Anchorage Assembly weighs two property calls Aug. 4: $1.88M for 27 new police SUVs, and a no-bid sale of an old Government Hill firehouse to its current tenant.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Judge declines to block 1.4 million-acre Alaska land transfer
A judge won't freeze Alaska's claim to 1.4 million acres of federal land, pushing the state past 96 percent of its 1959 statehood entitlement. The lawsuit lives on.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Wednesday, Jul 29
Anchorage clarifies what a records request keeps, and for how long
Anchorage is spelling out what a public records request keeps, logs, request and records, and setting the clock at two years. Short enough to notice, if a request ever gets contested.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Anchorage let $11.8 million skip the books it promised to check
Anchorage could have policed $11.8 million in off-the-books spending starting in early 2024. It waited nearly two years, and none of it showed on the public tracker.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min read
A GOP power player is fighting Rep. Stutes over her leftover campaign cash
GOP fixture Randy Ruedrich is going after Rep. Louise Stutes over her leftover campaign cash, and state regulators weigh the case Monday — including a possible settlement.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
New perks for Anchorage firefighters and Teamsters head to the Assembly
Anchorage firefighters and Teamsters would gain parental leave and easier holiday pay under two contract deals. The Assembly's "no significant economic effects" is doing some work.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
The water rights Alaska Natives can't claim
Murkowski chairs Wednesday's hearing on five tribal water settlements, none in Alaska. ANCSA extinguished the rights that make such deals possible for Alaska Natives.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
The Sullivan who won his case lands on the ballot with no party
Daniel J. Sullivan filed as a Republican and won his fight to stay on the Senate ballot. His reward: he appears with no party label, while the incumbent gets "Republican, incumbent."
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
