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Obama proposes new restrictions in ANWR; delegation calls move a ‘war declaration’ By Kyle Hopkins In a move the state Congressional delegation and governor are calling a war declaration on Alaska’s future, President Obama will propose designating 12 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness, the Washington Post first reported today: The announcement, according to individu... Read more »

Libertarians have ‘good reason to be optimistic’ — and have made some history By Jennifer Harper A recent Gallup poll revealed that self-described "independents" are the nation's largest political demographic. Indeed a record-breaking 43 percent of Americans now say they are independents, compared to 30 percent who are Democrats and 26 percent who are Republican. Now comes some promising news for ... Read more »

President Makes State of the Union, Alaskan Delegation Reacts President Obama delivered his State of the Union speech before Congress on Tuesday with only two years left in his second term. In his speech on Tuesday, President Obama spent much of his time speaking of his hopes for a better middle-class economy, jobs, American workers, College education, and Healthcare. The president spoke of turnin... Read more »

Local students nominated to service academies By Leila Kheiry This week, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young announced their nominations of Alaska high school seniors to various U.S. military service academies. Murkowski nominated 57 Alaskans from across the state. Among them are Ketchikan residents Alex Pihl and Ella Sherrill, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy; Jeri Langert and Holly O’Brien... Read more »

Young Continues Fight Against GE Salmon In their continued fight against genetically engineered (GE) fish, this week Congressmen Don Young, R-Alaska, Mike Thompson, D-Calif., Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and Jared Huffman, D-Calif., introduced two pieces of legislation intended to prevent genetically engineered fish from making their way onto the nation’s dinner plates and sprea... Read more »

Would force the president to seek approval from Congress By Staff Since the implementation of the 1906 Antiquities Act, presidents have been able to create national monuments where and when they see fit. But a bill introduced by the House of Representatives last week would change that, forcing the commander in chief to get approval from Congress before designating any national monuments. Represent... Read more »

Alaska’s delegation is here and accounted for. After Rep. Don Young’s reaction to the State of the Union, Sens. Lisa Murkowski weighed in during the Channel 2 Newshour and through their offices with critiques of the president. Sullivan called the president “delusional” during the Newshour and in an expanded statement provided by his office: “I had hoped that President Obama’s address this evening ... Read more »

NATIONAL MONUMENTS: GOP bill to curb presidential powers draws enviro backlash By Phil Taylor, E&E reporter Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) this week introduced a bill that would strip the president of his land and water conservation powers under the 1906 Antiquities Act, a move that drew attacks from conservation groups. Young's H.R. 330 would require congressional approval and a National Environmental... Read more »

Alaska Rep. Introduces Bills To Curb Genetically Modified Fish By Daniel Wilson Law360, Washington (January 15, 2015, 5:27 PM ET) -- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, introduced a pair of bills on Wednesday designed to curb the development of genetically modified fish, restricting the interstate transport and sale of such products and requiring food sellers to label them as genetically modified or risk mi... Read more »

House Votes to Block President’s Immigration Policies By Staff Speaker of the House John Boehner speaking in support of de-funding Immigration Deferment on the House floor on Wednesday. Speaker of the House John Boehner speaking in support of de-funding Immigration Deferment on the House floor on Wednesday. The House of Representatives voted today to block President Obama’s immigration policies in... Read more »