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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.
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...
Published 11/22/24
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...
Published 11/21/24