The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has released its latest target list of Republican incumbents in the US House of Representatives who will be marked for attack. Alaska Congressman Nick Begich, a Republican, is on the list.
“Today, we’re unveiling our offensive target list for 2026. Democrats are poised to retake the House — and defeating these vulnerable House Republicans will be key to doing that,” the DCCC said in its notice.
The unveiling of the list follows the March announcement of the “DCCC’s 2026 Frontliners,” 26 incumbent House Democrats seeking re-election in competitive districts.
Along with Tuesday announcement, the DCCC launched nominee fund pages to raise the funds for the eventual Democratic nominee. In Alaska, there is no announced Democrat nominee to take on Begich, who bounced Mary Peltola out of office after her first term. Democrats have not indicated that Peltola will try for that seat.
The DCCC is the same group that put Peltola on its “at risk” list in 2023, and then spent millions of dollars to try to save her, to no avail.
In 2026, the center-left Cook Political Report puts Begich in the “driver’s seat” for keeping the seat, as of February, 2025. But that’s without knowing who the possible contender might be.
Recent polls indicate that the Democratic National Party’s approval rating has reached historic lows. An NBC News poll conducted from March 7-11 found that only 27% of registered voters view the Democratic Party favorably, marking the lowest rating in NBC News polling since 1990.
The Alaska Humanities Forum has been informed that its federal funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities has been terminated. The decision, communicated this week, is part of a shift in federal priorities under the direction of President Donald Trump. The NEH notified state humanities councils and other grantees that their funding is being cancelled immediately to align with “a new direction in furtherance of the president’s agenda.”
The Alaska Humanities Forum promotes events like “drag aueens for kids” events and “whites not allowed” conferences.
The president of the Alaska Humanities Forum is Anchorage Assemblyman Kameron Perez-Verdia. He may be looking for another job soon. The organization posted a notification on its website, asking the community to help get its funding restored. It says:
“Late on the night of April 2, the Alaska Humanities Forum received a letter from DOGE officials informing them that their NEH operating grant approved by Congress had been illegally terminated effective immediately. NEH funding constitutes a significant portion of the Forum’s budget that their core programs rely upon to operate,” the notification said.
“The Forum and all humanities programming in Alaska are under dire threat. This means potential loss of:
“28 Years of Cross-Sector Leadership Development(Leadership Anchorage)
“Youth Mental Health Support in Schools (Story Works)
“24 Years of Youth Cultural Exchange Programs (Rose Urban-Rural Exchange, Take Wing Alaska)
“Veteran & Community Conversations that foster understanding across sectors and regions
“Writers & Filmmakers Programs that provide economic opportunity for emerging storytellers and entrepreneurs across Alaska
“Governor’s Arts & Humanities Awards, co-hosted with the Governor’s Office since 1968
“Vital Grants to Local Community Organizations for cultural, educational, and civic projects across rural and urban Alaska
“The Forum is required to match every dollar of federal funding, but they leverage that funding to raise at least $1.50 in additional investment for every $1 of federal support. They are able to do this because Alaskans value the humanities. We value the Forum’s work building connections across the urban-rural divide; creating partnerships across different perspectives; supporting youth to be mentally resilient and successful after high school; and developing leaders who deeply understand and are invested in the communities they serve.
“Without action, Alaska will lose a 50-year-old institution that has built local leaders, preserved our cultures and languages, and served tens of thousands of Alaskans.
“Without action, Alaska will lose the Forum, and the community-strengthening projects it supports. As an Alaskan, I ask that you take action to restore funding to the Alaska Humanities Forum and the National Endowment for the Humanities,” the group says on a notification on its website.
In 2022-23, the Alaska Humanities Forum reported $2,826,160 in revenues, nearly all from federal grants matched by grants from the state. Perez-Verdia is paid $181,164 a year to run the nonprofit.
The Anchorage Assembly is set to hear public testimony Tuesday night on two proposed ordinances that could significantly reshape local gun laws, placing new responsibilities on parents and gun owners, while at the same time running afoul of existing state laws.
The first proposed ordinance, introduced by Assemblywoman Karen Bronga, would hold parents or guardians criminally liable if a child in their care brings a gun or other deadly weapon to school grounds or school-related events. Introduced as a response to growing concerns over youth access to firearms, the proposal stipulates that liability applies if the weapon was originally in the possession of the adult.
Critics argue that the broad language — potentially extending liability to foster parents, grandparents, or even temporary caregivers like babysitters — could unfairly penalize adults for actions beyond their control.
The second ordinance under consideration requires gun owners to report a lost or stolen firearm to law enforcement within 48 hours of discovering it missing. Modeled after similar laws in other states, this proposal goes far beyond the federal mandate reporting for licensed firearms dealers.
A group of American Samoans living in Whittier is in trouble for voting when they were not legally allowed to do so.
The State of Alaska has announced criminal charges against 10 residents of Whittier in connection with alleged voter misconduct and perjury. The charges, filed on April 4, follow an investigation conducted by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation and are being prosecuted by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.
All 10 are US nationals born in American Samoa, but they are not US citizens, a legal distinction that plays a central role in the charges. Under Alaska law, only US. citizens are eligible to vote in federal, state, and local elections.
“Everyone who is eligible to vote and properly registered to vote is encouraged to vote,” said Alaska Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore in a statement. “To be clear, you must be a citizen to vote in Alaska in any election — federal, state, or local.”
The accused individuals allegedly registered and voted despite not meeting the citizenship requirement, prompting charges of voter misconduct, perjury, and other related offenses. Authorities say the investigation began after concerns were raised regarding the eligibility of several voters in the small port town of Whittier.
“We will aggressively investigate any report of voter misconduct we receive and work with our partners to hold those who violate Alaska law accountable for their actions,” said Colonel Maurice Hughes of the Alaska State Troopers.
In September, roughly 25 American Samoan residents of Whittier reported being questioned by Alaska State Troopers about their immigration status and voting activities. This stemmed from an investigation by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation, which was looking into potential voter misconduct. The residents, including Michael Pese and his family, claimed they were unfairly targeted, with troopers arriving at their homes in Begich Towers—where most of Whittier’s population lives, and workplaces, armed with lists and photos. They asserted their status as US nationals, not illegal immigrants, and felt the scrutiny was unwarranted.
Tupe Smith, Michael Pese’s wife, faced five earlier voter misconduct charges after running unopposed for a school board seat in 2023.
Smith is American Samoan national. She won the election, but her participation triggered scrutiny from the Alaska Division of Elections, which marked her records as “suspicious” and referred the case to investigators.
Her attorney argued that any voting was due to confusion, not intent to break the law; Smith reportedly believed she could vote in local elections as a US national, although Alaska law requires citizenship for all elections. A grand jury declined to indict her on several charges, and a dismissal motion for the remaining ones is still pending.
The names are:
Elisapeta Tauta Pese
Grace Tuie Galea’i
Jan Miriam Talia
Mark Pese
Mathew Pese
Michael Pese
Miliama Suli
Nelson Vaimoa
Salvation Mikaele
Chelsea Talia
The cases in Whittier, small and close-knit community of less than 300, bring renewed attention to the legal status of US nationals, particularly those born in American Samoa and Swains Island, who do not automatically receive US citizenship at birth, unlike individuals born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, the cornerstone of the Anchorage homelessness industrial complex made up of several nonprofits, is not doing a good job with its financial reporting and accountability, according to an independent audit of the group for 2023.
The audit uncovered significant problems with the group’s internal financial and governance controls, raising concerns about its ability to manage funds and maintain accountability as it works to combat homelessness.
The audit identified two primary issues: a material weakness and a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls. The material weakness points to a serious flaw that could undermine ACEH’s ability to reliably track and report financial data. According to the findings, this deficiency increases the risk of failing to prevent or correct noncompliance with regulatory or operational requirements, potentially jeopardizing the nonprofit’s credibility and effectiveness.
In addition, the audit highlighted a significant deficiency, less severe than the material weakness but still notable, indicating another gap in financial or governance controls. While this issue is not considered as critical, auditors emphasized that it warranted immediate attention from ACEH’s management to ensure the organization can fulfill its mission without further complications.
These findings were first reported by ProPublica.
ACEH, which serves as the lead agency for the Anchorage Continuum of Care and collaborates with local “stakeholders” to implement the Anchored Home 2023-28 plan, has a goal of making homelessness “rare, brief, and one-time.” But in fact, homelessness has worsened during its existence.
Between 2019 and 2024, annual point-in-time surveys show an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. The annual count recorded a 54% rise in Anchorage’s homeless population over five years. In January 2024, the year after the audit, Anchorage’s count identified over 1,700 people experiencing literal homelessness—living in shelters, transitional housing, or unsheltered—compared to a more stable range of around 1,800 to 2,000 statewide in the years prior to 2019.
ACEH receives funding from various sources, including the Municipality of Anchorage, the State of Alaska, and millions of dollars of federal taxpayer-funded grants.
“ACEH received 66% and 44% of its support and revenue from government support for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. A significant reduction in this support would have a substantial impact on ACEH,” the audit says.
Total government grant revenue for 2023 was $2,637,770.
The material weakness, in particular, could have far-reaching implications. Such deficiencies often signal a need for stronger oversight, improved financial tracking systems, or enhanced staff training. If unaddressed, it could hinder ACEH’s ability to secure future funding or maintain trust among donors and partners.
Among items deficient were accounts payable, property depreciation, and financial reporting. The items were scheduled to be resolved in 2024.
“During our testing of payroll transactions, we noted a substantial number of transactions which we were unable to verify pay rates or a personnel action form indicating approved coding, as required by the Organization’s policies and procedures. The finance department lacked the necessary supervisory capacity to determine and approve personnel information essential to determine the accuracy of payroll expenses. For each of the major programs listed above we attempted to test four payroll transactions and management was unable to provide supporting documentation of pay rates or personnel action forms for nearly all transactions tested,” the audit noted.
More alarming is that the head of the agency is a member of the Anchorage Assembly — Meg Zaletel, who is the Assembly’s vice chair. The Anchorage Assembly has awarded millions of dollars to Zaletel’s group over the past few years.
I am writing in my capacity as a private citizen and as an economist to respond to some comments from a recent event titled, “Bridge the Divide” held at the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly Chambers. As a former faculty who taught political economy at UAF, I was unable to attend due to Open Meetings Act constraints. It would have been nice to be able to attend and directly address issues raised, but alas, state statute restricts the number of elected officials that can attend an event, and other assembly members had indicated to me that they were going.
However, it is my understanding, based on media reports, that at that meeting an argument was advanced that President Trump’s tariff policies are unconstitutional. At first blush, that seems correct, but a bit of research and experience suggest the President is acting within his legislative authority.
In 1890, Congress passed a tariff act that delegated authority to the President to establish tariffs on selected goods. In 1892, Field v. Clark, challenged the authority of the Congress to delegate powers to the president under the Tariff Act of 1890. The Supreme Court upheld the 1890 Act and the President’s role in fulfilling a Congressional mandate.
In 1934, Congress delegated additional authority to the executive branch through the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934. This act gave the president the ability to change tariffs rates by 50% and negotiate bilateral trade agreements without additional approval from Congress.
There are also other statutory provisions that allow the President to engage in unilateral tariff authority. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 allows the President to modify tariffs if they compromise national defense. These tariffs could be implemented without a sunset date.
Then there is the Trade Act of 1974. Section 122 allows the president to enact temporary tariffs to address large and serious balance of payments deficits or other situations that present fundamental international payments challenges. Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the president to implement an 8-year tariff if the International Trade Commission determines a domestic industry issue is threatened by a surge of cheap goods. Section 301 of the 1974 act allows the President to act on recommendations by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to authorize tariffs, up to 4 years, on foreign countries that restrict U.S. commerce in “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable,” or “discriminatory” ways. There are other provisions available to the president under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.
Thus, it seems that the President is operating under the authority granted long ago by Congress. Of course, tariff law is hardly the bailiwick of a gender studies faculty that were presenting. That is something an economist would be most likely to have some familiarity. Too bad there wasn’t one on the panel.
Barbara Haney received her PH.D in economics from the University of Notre Dame and formerly taught in the economics department at UAF. Her opinions are her own.
It’s one month away: Starting May 7, all US air travelers aged 18 and older will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid passport, to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. The small commuter flights that buzz around Alaska are not impacted by this requirement, as passengers do not go through Transportation Security Administration screening.
The upcoming enforcement marks the culmination of the REAL ID Act, enacted by Congress in 2005 to enhance national security following the Sept. 11 attacks. The rollout has been, however, delayed five times.
A REAL ID-compliant license is typically distinguished by a star in the top right corner. To obtain one, applicants must visit the Department of Motor Vehicles and provide specific documentation, including proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number, and two additional proofs of residency. The ID is manufactured out of state and mailed to the recipient, and it can take a few weeks.
In Alaska, while obtaining a REAL ID is not mandatory for non-commercial drivers, those holding a commercial driver’s license are already required to be federally compliant and must upgrade to a REAL ID at the time of license expiration, if not already compliant.
Air travelers who do not possess a REAL ID-compliant license by the deadline will need to present an alternative form of acceptable identification, such as a valid U.S. passport or some military id types to pass through TSA checkpoints. Failure to provide such identification may result in being denied access to flights or federal facilities like military bases or nuclear facilities.
Alaska has updated its identification cards. Both the standard ID cards and REAL ID-compliant cards feature the new design but are distinguished by specific markings. REAL ID cards will display a star symbol in the top right corner to indicate compliance, while standard ID cards will not have the star and will include the notation “Federal limits apply.”
A photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation or Indian tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs), is sometimes compliant. However, to meet federal requirements, the ID must be issued by the tribal government itself.
The standards to meet REAL ID with tribal cards are not necessarily the same as standards for other Americans. Although tribes issuing REAL ID-compliant IDs are supposed implement comparable processes, including secure document verification and production methods to prevent fraud, as outlined in the 2005 REAL ID Act and subsequent DHS regulations, tribes are not bound by the same regulatory frameworks as state licensing offices, and there is little to no federal oversight of tribal IDs.
Some tribes have negotiated agreements with DHS, allowing flexibility in how they meet the standards. IDs issued by village councils or other organizations may not meet the REAL ID requirements.
Anyone who has lost a family member to suicide knows how traumatic and everlasting the pain is. For families of youth who take their own lives, it can be an all-consuming and crushing lifelong burden that debilitates them.
Congressman Nick Begich and Congresswoman Laura Gillen of New York have introduced the Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act, a bipartisan initiative aimed at bolstering federal efforts to understand and combat the rising tide of youth suicide across the United States. The bill will not add to federal spending, but simply redirect research to a needed area.
The legislation, unveiled Monday, seeks to amend the existing Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act by directing the National Science Foundation to prioritize research into the effects of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress—two factors widely recognized as significant contributors to mental health challenges.
The bill comes as a response to the known problem of youth suicide in Alaska, where the rate among adolescents aged 15–19 is 30.2 per 100,000, nearly triple the national average of 10.2 per 100,000.
“I have heard from far too many Alaskan families who have been impacted by youth suicide. It’s a deeply personal and heartbreaking reality for many of our communities,” Congressman Begich said. “By expanding federal research into how early childhood trauma and stress contribute to mental health struggles, we can take meaningful steps toward prevention. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort that makes our youth and their futures a top priority.”
Adverse childhood experiences include abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Along with prolonged exposure to highly stressful situations, youth are at risk for depression, substance use disorder, and suicide. These issues disproportionately affect regions like Alaska, where geographic isolation, economic challenges, and limited access to mental health resources compound the problem, and where there is are subcultures of substance abuse.
The Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act builds on the framework of the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act by broadening the NSF’s research mandate. The expanded focus aims to provide a deeper understanding of how early life challenges shape long-term mental health outcomes, equipping policymakers and communities with the tools to develop targeted interventions. Notably, the legislation achieves this without requiring additional taxpayer funding, making it a cost-effective step toward addressing a national public health priority.
For Alaska, where the stark disparity in youth suicide rates has long been a call to action, the bill represents a glimmer of hope, albeit one that could take years to yield results.
An energy worker advocacy group is calling on the Trump administration to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve now that oil prices have fallen to four-year lows.
Former President Joe Biden drained the reserve of more than 40% of its capacity when gas prices reached record highs, averaging more than $5 a gallon across the U.S. in June 2022.
With the price of a barrel of crude oil at about $61, Power The Future says it’s the right time to restock the reserve.
“This drop in oil prices is not only potential good news for Americans at the pump, it also provides a window to strengthen our national energy security,” Daniel Turner, founder and executive director of Power The Future, said Monday.
he Strategic Petroleum Reserve was created in 1975 after member countries of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries placed an embargo on oil production and distribution, leading to oil shortages and higher costs. The stock pile of oil in the reserve is meant to protect the U.S. from similar supply disruptions.
“Joe Biden left America weaker by not refilling the SPR, but today’s prices provide an opportunity to fix yet another one of his failure,” Turner said. “The SPR can now be refilled while giving taxpayers a break and it can be purchased tariff-free because we’ll use all American-made energy.”
Dan McCaleb is the executive editor of The Center Square.
