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.