Author: Nicole Thompson

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,…

Governor Mike Dunleavy proposed legislation that tightens mail ballot deadlines and shortens in-person early voting for Alaskans. Alaska’s early voting restriction bill demands mail ballots reach the Division of Election by election day, ending current rules allowing postmarked ballots to arrive within 10 to 15 days later.  The proposed changes immediately drew criticism from voting rights advocates. Get Out the Native Vote director Michelle Sparck contended that the modifications might make life more difficult for Native populations in rural Alaska. Sparck explained that it feels like a poll tax for residents off the road, emphasizing how topography and weather cause…

President Trump immediately signed executive orders on Monday after his inauguration targeting climate policies, immigration, and federal regulations. One significant order prioritizes fossil fuel development in Alaska, including the ANWR coastal plain and millions of federal acres.  Governor Mike Dunleavy praised Trump’s decision, calling it incredible and claiming the president is Alaska’s greatest ally in history. Dunleavy emphasized that removing Biden-era restrictions ensures economic growth and energy security for Alaska and the nation. One executive order promotes constructing a liquid natural gas pipeline while rolling back bans on oil and gas exploration in Alaska. Alaska Department of Natural Resource Commissioner…

A proposed bill in the Alaska Legislature could provide free breakfast and lunch to all students statewide, regardless of income. Democratic Representative Maxine Dibert of Fairbanks introduced House Bill 12, seeking state funding to ensure that Alaska’s free school meal program goes through. Representative Dibert, a former teacher, highlighted the benefits of free universal meals available through federal relief funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. She stated, “I’ve seen the effects of feeding our kids, and especially during COVID when all kids got lunches and breakfast at no cost.” Federal waivers expired in 2022, creating gaps in meal funding for districts…