The U.S. House of Representatives is voting on a Republican plan to prevent a government shutdown by extending funding for six months. The plan includes a controversial voter ID rule that would require proof of citizenship for federal elections. Alaska’s Congresswoman Mary Peltola opposes the six-month extension, preferring a shorter plan through December. The outcome of the vote could influence Alaska’s upcoming U.S. House race, where polls show a tight contest between Peltola and Republican Nick Begich. President Biden and Democrats strongly oppose the voter ID rule, pledging to block it if necessary.
The U.S. Department of Education is withholding $17.5 million in federal grants from Alaska due to ongoing disputes over how the state distributed pandemic relief to its lowest-income school districts. Federal officials claim Alaska has failed to meet fiscal requirements for 2022 and 2023, despite years of assistance. The affected districts include Kenai Peninsula Borough, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Alaska’s education department is appealing the decision as it faces the choice of redistributing the funds or returning them to the federal government.
Alaska received just $19 million in federal highway funds this August, the smallest allocation of any state. Alaska transportation officials had requested $71.4 million, but $52 million in project requests were rejected due to errors in the state's four-year transportation plan. These mistakes have raised concerns about the impact on future road construction, with delays in accessing funds possibly hindering projects. Despite the reduced allocation, Alaska will still receive $590 million in federal transportation funding for the fiscal year.
Alaska’s first-ever ranked-choice presidential election will feature eight candidates on the ballot this November. Voters can rank all eight candidates, with Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump leading the list. Other parties include the Libertarian Party, the American Solidarity Party, and the Constitution Party. Two Independents, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also appear, though Kennedy has endorsed Trump. This election will be historic as Alaska adopts ranked-choice voting for the presidential race.
A threatening envelope sent to the Alaska Division of Elections was intercepted by the U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday. The incident follows similar threats targeting election officials in other states, with some packages containing white powder later identified as harmless. Alaska’s Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom emphasized the importance of protecting election workers and promised swift legal action against any threats. No evacuations have occurred in Alaska, but other states, such as Iowa and Kansas, have taken precautionary measures.
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