AGP Executive Report

Election Probe: Alaska’s Senate race is under state and federal scrutiny days before Election Day. The Justice Department has issued new subpoenas and revised its lawsuit seeking to block certification if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, citing allegations that Democratic operatives recruited a second candidate with the same name. Mary Peltola denies knowing of the effort. Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a criminal investigation and said certification could be stopped if wrongdoing is found; Alaska election officials are challenging federal involvement. Voting Access: Alaska is also facing a lawsuit over voting locations that were advertised but not opened, raising concerns about access as early voting surges. Land and Development: Congress cleared a bill transferring land to the Southcentral Foundation, while Juneau’s Planning Commission approved a scaled-down Áak’w Landing project.

Election Lawsuits: The Justice Department amended its suit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate results if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, then argued that pending efforts to dismiss the case are moot. Voting Access: A rural voter-education group sued Alaska officials, alleging at least 18 advertised absentee voting sites were not operating, leaving some communities with few practical ways to vote in person. State Probe: Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into allegations that Mary Peltola’s campaign helped recruit a same-name candidate to draw votes from Sullivan. The DOJ has issued new subpoenas; Peltola’s campaign denies involvement, and no one has been charged.

Senate Ballot Probe: Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a state investigation after a New York Times report alleged operatives linked to Mary Peltola’s campaign sought to recruit another Dan Sullivan to split votes from Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola denied involvement and called the report a distraction; President Trump demanded she be prosecuted and removed from the ballot. Alaska officials and Peltola are also challenging a federal lawsuit seeking to block certification if Sullivan loses. Governor’s Race: Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, breaking with Trump’s preferred candidate. Juneau: The Assembly approved an $11 million harbor upgrade.

Senate Race: President Donald Trump called for Mary Peltola’s prosecution after a New York Times report said her campaign and Democratic operatives helped recruit a second Dan Sullivan to challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola denies involvement and called the report a distraction; the Petersburg candidate has also denied ties to her campaign. Election Fight: Alaska officials are urging a federal court to dismiss the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to block certification if Sen. Sullivan loses. More than 58,000 ballots have been cast, putting early voting on pace for a record. Southeast Alaska: Searchers found Angoon boater Roger Williams Jr. dead near Danger Point Reef after he failed to return from a fishing trip. Troopers reported no signs of foul play. Western Alaska: Ex-typhoon Champi is tracking toward Bristol Bay as fall storms continue. Governor’s Race: Sen. Lisa Murkowski and former Gov. Frank Murkowski have endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.

Alaska Election Fight: State officials are asking a court to dismiss the Justice Department’s suit seeking to block certification of the Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses. DOJ calls a narrow Mary Peltola win “tainted” because another candidate shares Sullivan’s name; a judge has questioned the legal case. Some rural absentee sites also failed to open. Governor’s Race: Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, saying Alaska needs leaders willing to work across party lines. Arctic Security and Ports: A Coast Guard icebreaker breakdown cut the service’s Arctic icebreaking capacity in half as Chinese research vessels operated near Alaska. Meanwhile, Whittier will receive $50.6 million to replace DeLong Dock, part of nearly $105 million in federal port grants for six Alaska communities. Mining: Nova Minerals secured final permits for its Alaska antimony project and is targeting production in 2027, with $43.4 million in federal defense funding. Rural Health: A Homer clinic received $727,000 for a five-year pilot bringing postpartum home visits and reproductive health services to more Kenai Peninsula communities.

Election Fight: Alaska is asking a federal judge to dismiss the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking to block certification of the U.S. Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses. A judge has expressed skepticism, while reports of rural absentee-voting sites that failed to open have raised separate concerns about access to the ballot. Governor’s Race: Sen. Lisa Murkowski and her father, former Gov. Frank Murkowski, endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, citing his bipartisan approach. Alaska Projects: Nova Minerals won final state permits for its antimony project, targeting production in 2027. Separately, nearly $105 million in federal grants will fund upgrades at six Alaska ports, including Whittier, Kodiak and Nome. Cost of Living: Affordability is taking precedence over abortion in Alaska’s congressional campaigns, as voters face rising costs. Homelessness: Unhoused people in Anchorage say finding safe drinking water can be difficult, with some relying on outdoor taps and help from residents.

Alaska Senate Fight: A federal judge fast-tracked the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses. Mary Peltola and voting-rights groups are seeking dismissal, while state officials defend the ballot’s distinction between two candidates named Sullivan. Energy and Data Centers: Fairbanks residents will discuss proposals for large data centers, as debate grows over whether Interior utilities can supply the power they would need. A separate community event highlighted ways households can cut energy costs. Western Alaska Recovery: Communities are still repairing damage from fall storms, while some typhoon survivors remain unable to return home. Veterans Cemetery: Construction near Salcha is about 51% complete, with Alaska’s first state-owned veterans cemetery expected to open in fall 2027.

Election Fight: The Justice Department is pressing to block certification of Alaska’s Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, citing possible voter confusion over two candidates named Sullivan. Mary Peltola’s campaign and other groups are seeking dismissal, while a separate proposed ballot initiative would require candidates for state and federal office to collect voter signatures and pay higher filing fees. Western Alaska Recovery: More than a year after Typhoon Halong, nearly 190 displaced families remain in Anchorage as communities rebuild homes and damaged infrastructure; some Kipnuk residents could return by Thanksgiving. Housing and Recovery: Anchorage’s Willow Commons tiny-home program has kept all 32 units full, and 27 residents have completed substance-use treatment in its first six months. Energy: At a Wasilla rally, President Trump touted foreign investment in an Alaska gas line, though South Korean officials have disputed his claim of a $50 billion commitment. Juneau Wildlife: Police freed a bear trapped in an unlocked Subaru after it tore apart the interior; the animal escaped unharmed.

Senate Race: Mary Peltola and her family suffered minor injuries in an Anchorage car crash; she postponed campaign stops as she recovers. The race is also facing a federal challenge: the Justice Department is seeking to block certification if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, citing a second candidate with the same name. Peltola and Democrats want the suit dismissed, while Sen. Lisa Murkowski says it should never have been filed. Voting Access: Reports say some rural Alaska early-voting sites have not opened, raising concerns about barriers for Alaska Native voters. Seafood Industry: Japan’s Umios plans to buy High Liner Foods in a deal that would link its access to about 26% of Alaska pollock resources with High Liner’s processing and distribution network.

Election Dispute: Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate results if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, arguing a second candidate with a similar name could confuse voters. The challenge has drawn bipartisan criticism and heightened concerns about federal interference. Voting Access: At least 18 rural early-voting sites serving predominantly Alaska Native communities reportedly remained closed, prompting calls to open them and investigate barriers to voting. Campaign News: Democrat Mary Peltola and her family sustained minor injuries in a car crash on the way to an Alaska Native Federation banquet. Her campaign postponed stops in Fairbanks and Bethel as she recovers.

Alaska Senate Race: Senate Democrats and Mary Peltola’s campaign are asking a federal judge to dismiss the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to block certification if Republican Dan Sullivan loses. The case points to a second candidate named Dan Sullivan on the ballot. Election Fight: Trump escalated his attacks on Sen. Lisa Murkowski after she criticized the lawsuit, also calling Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system a “scam.” High fuel costs are adding to voter concerns in the close race. Fairbanks Development: The borough mayor has proposed a moratorium on large data centers through 2027 while officials study potential effects on power and water use, pollution and land use. Homer Airport: A proposal would lease state airport land for 50 years to build hangars for privately owned planes and helicopters.

Election Fight: President Donald Trump says he ordered a Justice Department lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, citing possible voter confusion over a second candidate with the same name. Mary Peltola and national Democrats are asking to join the case, while Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski says it should never have been filed. Alaska Native Voters: Peltola and Sullivan are courting Native voters ahead of Nov. 3, as rural communities continue to face barriers to voting. Energy Project: A sanctioned Russian gas company secretly funded an Alaska LNG venture, according to reports; the project’s former CEO says he quit after learning of the ties. Juneau: The fishing fleet could get relief from soaring diesel costs, while the city approved another 10 years of gravel mining at Lemon Creek. High School Football: South Anchorage beat West 14-6 to repeat as Division I state champion, the first team to win back-to-back titles in 25 years.

Alaska Election: President Trump says he ordered the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking to block certification of the U.S. Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses narrowly to Mary Peltola, citing a second candidate with a similar name. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Alaska voters’ groups oppose the suit; legal experts have questioned its basis. Energy and Industry: Senior executives have quit a proposed $25 billion Alaska LNG project amid allegations that sanctioned Russian company Novatek secretly financed and directed it. Juneau: Local fishing crews could get federal relief for steep diesel costs, but officials have yet to set payment amounts or an application date. The city also approved another decade of gravel mining near Lemon Creek, raising renewed questions about the creek’s flood capacity. Wildlife: A new federal rule will allow hunters to bait bears on Alaska’s federal lands, reversing a 2024 ban. Critics warn the practice could endanger people and wildlife. Western Alaska: A major Bering Sea storm brought flooding, outages and flight cancellations as communities continue to recover from last year’s devastating storm.

Election Fight: President Donald Trump says he ordered the Justice Department to sue over Alaska’s Senate race, seeking to block certification if Republican Dan Sullivan loses to Mary Peltola. The lawsuit cites possible voter confusion over a second candidate named Dan Sullivan; Alaskans interviewed questioned the need for the case, which still requires a judge’s decision. Western Alaska Storm: High winds and flooding brought power outages and flight cancellations, with dangerous travel expected to continue across parts of the region. Consumer Alert: A Secret Service sweep checked Anchorage payment terminals for card skimmers and found none. Officials warn thieves also target SNAP cards and urge shoppers to check readers for loose or mismatched parts. Public Safety: A former Army soldier was sentenced to 59 years for killing his wife, Saria Barney Hildabrand, and hiding her body near their Anchorage home. Rural Health: Ketchikan Indian Community received $5 million toward a tribally led addiction healing center planned at the former Salmon Falls Resort.

Election Fight: The Trump administration sued to block Alaska from certifying a Mary Peltola win if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses while another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan remains on the ballot. The state Supreme Court has rejected earlier efforts to remove the second Sullivan. Tribal Energy: The Energy Department announced more than $48 million for 20 Alaska Native-led energy projects, including a power plant in Chalkyitsik and grid planning across rural communities. Western Alaska Storm: A strong Bering Sea storm is bringing high winds and coastal flooding threats as communities still recover from last year’s Typhoon Halong. Alaska’s Senate Race: The contest is the most expensive in state history, with rising fuel costs and declining salmon catches among issues drawing attention from voters and Alaska Native leaders.

Energy Costs: At the Alaska Federation of Natives convention, Sen. Lisa Murkowski condemned high fuel prices, especially in rural Alaska, and said she has voted to end the Iran conflict driving them. Senate Race: Mary Peltola has raised a record $32 million against Sen. Dan Sullivan’s $13 million, making Alaska’s Senate contest the most expensive in state history as voters weigh in on energy and the war. Election Watch: An Anchorage judge ruled the state incorrectly placed disqualified Republican Jose Tagle on the House District 22 ballot, though votes can still be cast while he considers an appeal. Kipnuk is also set to reopen its polling place for the first time since Typhoon Halong devastated Western Alaska. Oil and Gas: A new USGS assessment estimates 96 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered North Slope gas, while Alaska opened more than 8 million acres to potential oil and gas leasing. Public Safety: A Kenai man was sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison for a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.