Author: Nicole Thompson

Federal agents have ramped up Alaska immigration raids, with FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration teams assisting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Anchorage. Over the past few days, officials have detained multiple individuals, marking a rare collaboration between these agencies in the state. The FBI’s Anchorage office shared images on X showing agents leading detainees in jail uniforms into the Department of Homeland Security’s local headquarters. Another image depicted a handcuffed individual in street clothes outside a residential area. The DEA’s Seattle office posted similar images, including one of a detainee in a yellow Anchorage jail jumpsuit being escorted into…

Alaska lawmakers must address a growing deficit. Declining oil revenue left a projected $200 million shortfall for the next fiscal year. The Legislative Finance Division warned that additional spending on firefighting and public services could push the deficit past $300 million. With limited options, legislators must decide whether to cut the Permanent Fund dividend or reduce school funding. Governor Mike Dunleavy proposed a budget with a full statutory PFD of approximately $3,900, requiring a $1.5 billion withdrawal from state savings. Lawmakers resisted, arguing that spending from the Constitutional Budget Reserve would strain financial stability. Bethel Democratic Senator Lyman Hoffman stated,…

Mat-Su Borough faces a funding shift for its bus system after losing a federal grant, potentially increasing local property taxes. The 2020 census classified the borough as an urbanized area, changing its eligibility for full federal transportation funding. As a result, the borough must now match 50% of transit costs through local funding, significantly altering financial planning. Assemblyman Tim Hale explained that the new designation requires a municipal planning organization to distribute federal and state transportation funds. Valley Transit, the non-profit managing Mat-Su´s transportation, will no longer receive federal funds and must compete for grants. The borough initially delayed the…

President Donald Trump’s new executive order has reignited a battle over Alaska’s vast wilderness and mineral wealth. Trump’s Alaska mining order was signed on his first day back in office, aiming to maximize Alaska’s energy and mineral resources.  State officials and industry leaders have welcomed the move, expecting it to unlock drilling and mining opportunities across the state. A major focus is the Ambler Road project’s proposed 211-mile industrial route through remote northwest Alaska. The road would provide access to mineral-rich areas containing critical elements like copper and cobalt. Trump’s decision reverses a June 2024 Biden administration ruling that halted…

Governor Mike Dunleavy’s administration postponed the Alaska salary study’s release, which was initially expected in June 2024, due to missing data. Officials classified an early draft in June, making it inaccessible to legislators and the public.  The study, funded with $1 million in 2023, was supposed to shape budget decisions and address recruitment challenges. State agencies currently face a 16.6% vacancy rate, which disrupts essential services like food assistance processing. Ashley Carrick, a Fairbanks Democrat, led a Thursday hearing to question why the Dunleavy administration delayed the report. She emphasized its importance in determining fair wages for public employees. Paula…

The Alaska education system faces a significant policy showdown as Governor Mike Dunleavy introduces a reform package tied to specific funding proposals. Lawmakers in the House and Senate pledged to boost school funding without attacking policy changes, but Dunleavy´s plan took a different approach. His proposal for Alaska education reform offers $117 million in targeted funding, including $43 million for homeschooling, $31 million for career programs, and $22 million for reading instructions. The plan also includes a three-year $58 million teacher bonus program, granting $5,000 to $15,000 annually based on school district locations. However, many lawmakers believe short-term bonuses fail…

During a January 2024 press conference on Hurricane Helen, Trump’s icebreaker fleet expansion plan was unexpectedly revealed. He addressed trade concerns by highlighting U.S. spending on Canada before mentioning the proposed purchase.  “We’re going to order about 40 Coast Guard icebreakers, big ones,” Trump stated. “And all of a sudden, Canada wants a piece of the deal. I say, ‘Why are we doing that?'” Trump did not revisit the icebreaker proposal during the remainder of the press conference, leaving details unclear. Trump’s icebreaker fleet expansion plan’s feasibility and funding remain uncertain, but the announcement has already stirred reactions from Alaska…

Recent executive actions have escalated Alaska’s federal workforce crisis, leaving federal employees, contractors, and community programs struggling with uncertainty and economic instability. As crucial funding freezes and stops vital projects throughout the state, thousands more Alaskans employed under federal contracts now risk employment instability.  Federal contractors in Alaska now question whether they will receive their paychecks as government contracts remain in limbo. Community-driven projects in health care, education, energy, and law enforcement have stopped creating ripple effects throughout the economy. Federal employees also report being pressured to spy on colleagues, relocate families or leave their jobs under questionable buyout offers.…

President Donald Trump appointed Emma Pokon to EPA Region 10, based in Seattle. He assigned her the task of overseeing federal environmental regulations across four states. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced the appointment on Wednesday. Dunleavy praised Pokon’s qualifications and leadership in environmental policy. Pokon has served as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation since August 2023, taking over after Jason Brune resigned. Dunleavy later confirmed her as a commissioner in December, recognizing her extensive experience in environmental law and resource management. Before leading DEC in 2020, she played an important role in shaping Alaska’s environmental policies while…

Community leaders in Anchorage have mobilized after President Donald Trump’s executive order ending federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Alaska Black Caucus hosted a Sunday virtual discussion, inviting Alaskans to address the controversy over the Anchorage DEI program. The conversation focused on strategies for preserving equitable and inclusive spaces despite the federal government removing DEI programs. Experts from the DEI sector explained actionable steps community members could take to maintain progress. “The implications of these orders extend far beyond the federal level,” said Hodge Growden, the CEO and President of the Alaska Black Caucus. Growden expressed concerns that…

In President Donald Trump’s second term, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski has openly defied him on several high-profile issues. As Lisa Murkowski challenges Donald Trump, her stance demonstrates a bold independence unusual among congressional Republicans, especially those who previously faced his criticism. Murkowski, known for her moderate politics, opposes her party when she believes it’s right for Alaska. She publicly rejected Trump’s defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, due to concerns about his character and past allegations. She stated on social media, “The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of…

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday mandating the shutdown of federally run Diversity Equity and Inclusion DEI programs. The order titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing‚” bans all federal DEI policies, mandates, and activities, labeling them discriminatory under two sections. Although the order targets federal offices exclusively, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy predicted a nationwide trend of similar actions. “I think it’s going to happen all over the country and quite honestly, I think it should,” Dunleavy stated. However, Jennifer Booz, the Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Alaska Anchorage, defended inclusion initiatives,…