loader-image
weather icon 49°F
Subscribe
loader-image
weather icon 49°F

BECKY BOHRER and MARK THIESSEN.

FILE - Tupe Smith poses for a photo outside the school in Whittier, Alaska, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska woman appeals voter fraud charges in case that puts spotlight on status of American Samoans

January 15, 2026

A state appeals court is being asked to dismiss felony voter misconduct charges against an Alaska resident born in American Samoa. It’s one of numerous cases that have drawn attention to the complex citizenship status of people born in the U.S. territory. Tupe Smith argues she relied on erroneous information from election officials when she identified herself as a U.S. citizen on voter registration forms. Attorneys for Smith are asking the Alaska Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court’s decision that let stand the indictment brought against her. Arguments are set for Thursday in Anchorage. The state contends Smith falsely and deliberately claimed citizenship.

Read More »

Mary Peltola, barrier-breaking ex-Alaska congresswoman, is challenging Dan Sullivan in Senate race

January 12, 2026

Democratic former Alaska congresswoman Mary Peltola has announced a Senate run to challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola said Monday her aim is to shake up the establishment and make life more affordable for Alaskans. Peltola is Yup’ik and highlights the high cost of living in rural Alaska. The former congresswoman criticizes politicians in Washington as being out of touch. Peltola became the first Alaska Native in Congress in 2022 and emphasizes systemic change to address issues like grocery costs and energy prices. Peltola says Washington politicians don’t care that a gallon of milk costs $17 in rural Alaska. Sullivan is seeking his third term in the Senate.

Read More »
CORRECTS TO ANCHORAGE INSTEAD OF DEADHORSE - People hold a sign during a protest outside the annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Environmentalists criticize Trump administration push for new oil and gas drilling in Alaska

June 3, 2025

Top Trump administration officials on Tuesday headlined an energy conference led by the state’s Republican governor. Environmentalists criticized the event as promoting new oil and gas drilling and turning away from the climate crisis. Several dozen protesters were outside Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference in Anchorage. Inside, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin were featured speakers. The federal officials were continuing a multiday trip aimed at highlighting President Donald Trump’s push to expand oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in the state.

Read More »