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Alaska lawmaker can’t block public from social accounts based on their views, judge rules
An Alaska state legislator can’t block members of the public who they disagree with from commenting on a social media account the lawmaker maintains in connection with her elective office, a judge has ruled. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews said in a decision he issued Friday that the account is a limited public forum […]
Eastman trial to advance, focus on whether Oath Keepers advocate concrete overthrow of government
A trial on whether Wasilla Republican Rep. David Eastman is eligible for state office is set to begin on Monday, after a judge ruled on Friday against attempts by him and the state Division of Elections to dismiss the case. The trial will focus on whether the Oath Keepers advocate the forceful overthrow of the […]
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy names new revenue commissioner, acting health commissioner and chief of staff
Gov. Mike Dunleavy made three high-level appointments on Monday, filling the key positions of revenue and health commissioners and naming a new chief of staff. Dunleavy named Adam Crum as the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, after nearly four years of Crum leading the state’s Department of Health and Social Services, including leading […]
Here’s what’s happening with Alaska’s vote count
There have been a lot of questions about how far along the Alaska Division of Elections is in counting the ballots for the election that ended on Tuesday. Here are five facts about the count: There have been 217,835 ballots counted so far. Through Thursday, the Division of Elections had reported results from all 402 […]
Dunleavy appears headed to re-election, may head off ranked choice count
In votes counted through early Wednesday morning, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy appeared on pace for re-election to a second four-year term. Dunleavy, a Republican, built a substantial lead over challengers Democrat Les Gara, independent Bill Walker and Republican Charlie Pierce, holding 52% of Tuesday’s 216,364 first-choice votes. If Dunleavy’s vote share stays above 50%, he […]
Two pivotal East Anchorage races could determine control of Alaska House
In East Anchorage, there are two races for the Alaska House of Representatives that feature two candidates – a Democrat and a Republican – and no incumbents. Both were relatively close in the August primary. And both could determine which caucus controls the House when the legislative session begins in January in Juneau. In House […]
Nation’s political divide is the focus of Alaska U.S. House debate
The four candidates to be Alaska’s only member of the U.S. House of Representatives zeroed in on the United States’ political divisions but came up with very different answers about what should be done about it in a media-sponsored debate on Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat elected to fill the remainder of the […]
Edie Grunwald suspends campaign as Charlie Pierce’s running mate for lieutenant governor
Edie Grunwald is suspending her campaign for lieutenant governor. Grunwald, a Republican, is on Alaska’s Nov. 8 general election ballot as the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce. Pierce and the Kenai Peninsula Borough were sued on Friday by a borough employee who said Pierce sexually harassed her when he served as mayor. […]
Candidates for Alaska governor differ on how to handle deaths in state corrections custody
Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the state has scrutinized the cause of each of the deaths that have occurred in state Department of Corrections custody this year. But the Republican governor’s rivals, Democrat Les Gara and independent Bill Walker, raised grave concerns over the deaths at the Alaska Federation of Natives’ forum for the candidates for […]
Dunleavy defends record against Gara and Walker attacks in rapid-fire Alaska debate for governor
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, defended his record against a barrage of criticism from challengers Les Gara, a Democrat, and Bill Walker, an independent, in a fast-paced hourlong debate on Wednesday, hosted by Alaska Public Media, Alaska’s News Source and KTOO. Also present was Republican candidate Charlie Pierce, who was favorable toward Dunleavy. Alaska’s […]
High winds, coastal flooding forecast as another storm to hit western and northern Alaska
High winds and coastal flooding in western and northern Alaska are forecast from another unusually strong storm moving through the area through the weekend. Wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour could affect a stretch of coast from Point Lay to Point Hope, David Kramer of the National Weather Service said. Winds of […]
Alaska candidate comparison tool allows voters to explore positions in statewide races
The Alaska Beacon has launched a candidate comparison tool in conjunction with three other Alaska news organizations. The joint project with Alaska Public Media, the Anchorage Daily News and KTOO allows voters to explore the positions that candidates for statewide office have taken on a variety of issues. The heart of the project is a […]