For the first time, women will hold the majority of seats in Alaska’s House of Representatives, with 21 out of 40 members being women, according to unofficial election results. This milestone increases women’s representation in the Alaska Legislature to 43%, surpassing the previous record of 23 women lawmakers in 2019.

The state Senate will include five women, unchanged from the previous session. The shift reflects a broader national trend, as women now hold one-third of all state legislative seats in the U.S., setting a new record for female representation.

The Palmer Project, a contentious mining venture near Haines and Klukwan, is undergoing a major ownership change. Canadian-based American Pacific Mining Corp. will assume full ownership after Japanese company Dowa Metals and Mining, which held a 70% stake, exits the project.

Dowa invested tens of millions in the copper and zinc mine since 2013 but announced its departure, raising questions about its reasoning. The project has long divided the region, with concerns over potential environmental impacts on the Chilkat River watershed, a vital salmon habitat, and its economic benefits.

Native American voters face significant obstacles at the polls, according to a Brennan Center study, contributing to lower turnout on tribal lands. Barriers include long travel distances, lack of public transportation, and limited access to early or mail-in voting.

Issues such as jurisdictions refusing to send ballots to P.O. boxes or denying the use of tribal IDs exacerbate the problem. Experts recommend targeted measures, including passing the stalled Native American Voting Rights Act, to address these systemic inequities and improve access to elections.

Alaska’s seafood processing industry saw a decline in its workforce but an increase in wages in 2023, according to a state labor report. The number of jobs fell 20% from 2014 to 8,495 workers, while total wages rose 30%, reaching $626 million. The average monthly wage climbed to $6,100, higher than the statewide average.

Employers relied heavily on nonresidents, who made up 82% of the workforce. Despite wage increases, recruitment challenges persist due to industry struggles like low fish prices and rising costs. The report highlights a shift in Alaska’s seafood workforce as plant closures loom.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pam Bondi, former Florida attorney general and longtime ally, as his pick for attorney general. Bondi defended Trump during his first impeachment and supported him in his New York criminal trial earlier this year.

The nomination follows the withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick, Matt Gaetz, amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations. Some Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, demanded further vetting, citing the need for transparency. Bondi gained prominence partly through an endorsement from former Alaska governor Sarah Palin during her early career.

Alaska voters have upheld the state’s open primary and ranked choice voting system by a narrow margin of 664 votes. Meanwhile, Republican Nick Begich has defeated Democratic Representative Mary Peltola in the U.S. House race, ending her historic tenure as Alaska's first Democratic House member since 1972. Begich secured over 164,000 votes, finishing more than 8,000 ahead of Peltola. Election results will be finalized after all hand-counted ballots are scanned, though significant changes are not expected.

A powerful atmospheric river brought heavy rain, hurricane-force winds, and snow to the Pacific Northwest, causing widespread damage and at least two deaths. Washington state suffered the most, with trees downing power lines and over 460,000 outages at the peak. Flood watches extend to Northern California and southwestern Oregon, while mountain areas face blizzards with snowfall rates of up to three inches per hour.
In Juneau, wind gusts of up to 60 mph disrupted power, ferry services, and schools. Cleanup and recovery efforts are underway as officials urge caution in affected areas.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski is among those demanding the release of a House Ethics Committee report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz, now President-elect Trump’s attorney general nominee. The investigation probed allegations of misconduct, including claims of illicit drug use and payments for sex, with one accuser alleging Gaetz’s involvement with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz denies the allegations, as the controversy raises questions about his nomination.

Alaska was among the states affected by misdirected ballots during the recent election, as mail ballots intended for voters in Wasilla were mistakenly sent to an election office in Cascade County, Montana. This issue, part of a broader pattern observed nationwide, raised concerns about the U.S. Postal Service's ability to manage election mail effectively.

The race over Alaska’s voting system is tightening, with votes to retain the system leading by just 45—a sharp drop from the 192-vote margin reported Monday. The razor-thin difference, just over 0.01% of votes counted, could lead to a recount after results are certified on November 30. Another 5,800 ballots are set to be counted today, alongside ranked choice sorting for undecided races.

The 34th Alaska Legislature is forming, with Democrats and independents expected to lead a bipartisan House coalition focused on the budget, education funding, and workforce challenges. The Senate's leadership remains unchanged, prioritizing energy cost reductions, pension reform, and election integrity. Collaboration is likely, but tensions may arise with Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Speculation about Dunleavy’s potential move to a federal role could further shift the political landscape.

Grimmway Farms has recalled specific organic carrots distributed in Alaska due to possible E. coli contamination. Affected products include organic whole carrots sold from August 14 to October 23, 2024, and organic baby carrots with best-by dates from September 11 to November 12, 2024. While no longer available in stores, they may remain in consumer homes. Consumers are urged to discard these products to avoid health risks, as E. coli can cause severe illness.

Juneau Assembly meetings are discussing the installation of Hesco barriers to protect homes from glacier outbursts. Homeowners would share costs of approximately $8,000, amortized over 10 years. The project aims to prevent future damage from glacial flooding events.

With freezing temperatures on the way, the City and Borough of Juneau advises residents to take precautions to prevent water pipes from freezing or bursting. Recommendations include running a small trickle of water, closing crawl space vents, insulating pipes, and checking heat tapes. The city does not thaw frozen pipes, so residents should contact a plumber if issues arise.

For the first time since Election Day, votes against repealing Alaska's ranked-choice voting system now lead by 192 votes. With roughly 5,100 ballots left, trends suggest the current system will remain for at least two more years. The margin is razor-thin, under 0.1%, and recounts can be requested by December 5 following certification on November 30.

Meanwhile, Republican Nick Begich’s lead in Alaska's U.S. House race narrowed to 7,223 votes over Democrat Mary Peltola. Ranked-choice tabulation is set for Wednesday.

Alaska’s seafood industry lost $1.8 billion last year due to low prices and closed harvests, marking its worst year since 2001. Employment also hit record lows, with fewer than 5,900 harvesters on average. Contributing factors include climate change, global competition, and aging infrastructure.

State officials are exploring solutions, including modernization, workforce development, and increased marketing, with recommendations expected in early 2025.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Alaska's campaign finance rules requiring disclaimers on political ads and disclosures for contributions over $2,000. The regulations, part of a 2020 election reform initiative, had previously survived legal challenges and remain in effect alongside the state’s open primary and ranked-choice voting systems.

Alaska's annual disease report shows high rates of STDs, with over 5,000 chlamydia cases and 2,280 gonorrhea cases in 2023, both among the highest in the nation. Syphilis cases also increased, with congenital syphilis surging.

Flu and COVID-19 cases declined compared to prior years, but vaccination rates were well below national averages, with only 23.7% of adults vaccinated for flu and 13.4% up to date on COVID shots.

Republicans have taken control of the U.S. House, joining the Senate majority and President-elect Donald Trump to cement GOP power. With this majority, Republican leaders plan to advance Trump’s vision, including tax cuts and stricter immigration policies.
In Alaska, final election results remain pending, including for the state’s lone U.S. House seat. Ballot Measure 2, which seeks to repeal Alaska’s open primaries and ranked-choice voting system, leads by just over 2,400 votes. Ranked-choice voting results and final unofficial tallies are expected Wednesday, with certification due by the end of the month.

Governor Mike Dunleavy is rumored to be in talks for a cabinet position in President-elect Trump’s administration, potentially as Secretary of the Interior or Energy. If appointed, Dunleavy would likely champion Trump’s energy agenda, focusing on reducing restrictions on Alaska’s federal lands. Reactions are mixed, with some state lawmakers optimistic and others disappointed. If Dunleavy leaves office, Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom would step in as governor.

President-elect Trump has nominated former Congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Gaetz, under scrutiny for a past sex trafficking investigation and an ongoing House Ethics Committee probe, denies wrongdoing and has resigned from Congress. If confirmed, he would oversee the Justice Department, which Trump has heavily criticized. The nomination has drawn skepticism, with some Republican senators doubting Gaetz’s confirmation chances. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski joked about the nomination, saying it wasn’t on her “Bingo card.”

The Juneau School District reports a rise in student fights this semester, especially at Juneau-Douglas High School, which recorded 11 incidents between August and October—more than double last year’s total. About half involved law enforcement. Thunder Mountain Middle School has reported eight fights, consistent with past trends. Officials link the increase to the recent consolidation of schools due to budget cuts.

Alaska officials added over 8,500 ballots to the statewide count on Wednesday, but no changes occurred in race leaders. The additional ballots continue to narrow the lead for “yes” votes on Ballot Measure 2, which would repeal Alaska’s ranked-choice voting and open primary system. Meanwhile, U.S. House candidate Nick Begich holds a lead over Rep. Mary Peltola, though ranked-choice tabulation scheduled for Nov. 20 could shift the outcome if Peltola gains enough second-choice votes.

Governor Mike Dunleavy and Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom canceled a scheduled Facebook live announcement late Wednesday without explanation. Dunleavy remains a top contender for U.S. Secretary of the Interior in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, a position that would influence federal lands and natural resources, including in Alaska.

Josiah Kelly of Anchor Point faces multiple charges following three separate shootings that targeted a reproductive clinic and a recovery organization in Homer. Kelly is charged with second- and third-degree misconduct involving weapons and criminal mischief. No injuries were reported.

The Department of the Interior is advancing a land swap proposal to construct an 18.9-mile road through Alaska's Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, connecting King Cove with Cold Bay's airport for emergency evacuations. The swap would exchange nearly 500 federal acres for over 31,000 acres to expand the National Wildlife Refuge system. Public comments on the proposal are open until Dec. 30.

A federal judge has scheduled April 14 for a retrial in Sarah Palin’s libel case against The New York Times if settlement talks fail. Palin's suit alleges reputational damage from a 2017 editorial linking her rhetoric to a mass shooting. The Times admitted errors, calling it an honest mistake.

Juneau’s Douglas Crimson Bears volleyball team will compete in the state tournament this weekend after clinching the Region V title. The tournament begins tomorrow in Anchorage.

With fewer than 20 races left to call, control of the U.S. House remains undecided. In Alaska’s lone House seat race, Republican Nick Begich holds a narrow lead over Democrat Mary Peltola. Thousands of absentee, early, and questioned ballots are still being counted, with more results expected by Nov. 15 and Nov. 20. Ranked-choice voting will ultimately determine the winner if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote.

Alaska’s state-owned development agency has allocated $750,000 for legal expenses in support of Arctic oil exploration and the Ambler Road mining project. The agency is contesting recent federal decisions that halted these projects, with hopes that a Trump administration could bring favorable policy changes. Despite public opposition, agency leaders emphasize Alaska’s constitutional duty to develop its natural resources as justification for the legal action.

In an unexpected gesture, President Biden has invited President-elect Trump to the White House for a transition meeting on Wednesday. This is a historic moment, as it will mark the first time since 1992 that an outgoing president meets an incoming one after competing against each other in a campaign. Biden has assured a smooth transition, contrasting Trump’s 2020 exit, when he declined to attend Biden’s inauguration.

The forecast for Bristol Bay’s sockeye salmon run, the world’s largest, anticipates a harvest of 51.21 million fish, 38% above the long-term average. However, market challenges like low prices and small fish sizes continue to impact fishers. Despite a significant harvest this year, industry revenue remains low, with hope for recovery if global market conditions improve.

The Alaska Division of Elections processed an additional 677 votes from rural precincts, narrowing the number of uncounted areas to four. No race leaders shifted, but the ballot measure to repeal ranked-choice voting is now closer, with “yes” votes leading by just over 4,000 out of nearly 247,000 total votes. On Nov. 12, Alaska will begin counting at least 46,000 early and absentee ballots, though some “questioned ballots” still await further ID verification.

Alaska’s House of Representatives will now be led by a Democratic coalition, moving away from Republican leadership. New Majority Leader Rep.-elect Chuck Kopp plans to expand the coalition to include members focused on fiscal conservatism, educational funding, retirement reform, and sustainable energy development. The coalition intends to steer clear of divisive social issues, such as previous debates on transgender participation in sports, aiming instead to focus on productive, bipartisan policies that benefit Alaskans.

As Alaska enters respiratory illness season, doctors report an uptick in whooping cough, strep throat, and mycoplasma pneumonia cases, adding to the usual wave of COVID-19 and flu. Mycoplasma pneumonia, or “walking pneumonia,” can be identified by a persistent cough lasting over a week. To prevent the spread, residents are advised to wear masks when ill, wash hands frequently, and stay home if symptomatic.

This year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 74-foot Sitka spruce from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, has begun its journey from Wrangell to Washington, D.C. During Wrangell’s Oct. 26 Harvest Festival, local community members gathered to celebrate and bless the “People’s Tree.” With a custom hydration system made by local students, the tree will travel through 11 Lower 48 communities, allowing people to sign a banner and participate in its journey to the Capitol.