The Alaska Current
@thealaskacurrent.com
We're a nonprofit collective of Alaska journalists, creatives, and content creators providing all the news, politics, and culture that can fit in 665,400 square miles. thealaskacurrent.com
Witty Youngman’s new EP ‘Forget-Her-Not’ is out now — a project rooted in stories of survival, healing and community. They’ll perform tomorrow at Williwaw’s Relief for Western Alaska concert. The lineup runs from 2-11 p.m. and is family friendly from 2-6 p.m.
November 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Witty Youngman’s new EP ‘Forget-Her-Not’ is out now — a project rooted in stories of survival, healing and community. They’ll perform tomorrow at Williwaw’s Relief for Western Alaska concert. The lineup runs from 2-11 p.m. and is family friendly from 2-6 p.m.
State funds were supposed to backstop SNAP during the shutdown, but families are still waiting. Dunleavy’s disaster declaration has yet to turn words into action — for many, the real disaster is the leadership. Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
November 11, 2025 at 11:27 PM
State funds were supposed to backstop SNAP during the shutdown, but families are still waiting. Dunleavy’s disaster declaration has yet to turn words into action — for many, the real disaster is the leadership. Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Trump demolishes a part of the White House for a ballroom while the government remains shut down, paychecks are delayed and in many states SNAP cards will only be partially funded — a stark reminder that while some rebuild for vanity, others are left struggling to get by. Illustration by Holly Todd.
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Trump demolishes a part of the White House for a ballroom while the government remains shut down, paychecks are delayed and in many states SNAP cards will only be partially funded — a stark reminder that while some rebuild for vanity, others are left struggling to get by. Illustration by Holly Todd.
While politicians bicker, families go hungry. Murkowski tried to fund SNAP during the shutdown — Sullivan voted no. Meanwhile, kids are left with only tricks, no treats.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
October 31, 2025 at 6:58 PM
While politicians bicker, families go hungry. Murkowski tried to fund SNAP during the shutdown — Sullivan voted no. Meanwhile, kids are left with only tricks, no treats.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
When given the chance to shed light on Epstein’s network, Alaska’s GOP senators chose secrecy. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan joined 49 Republicans in voting to table an amendment that would have forced the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Illustration by Holly Todd
September 15, 2025 at 7:55 PM
When given the chance to shed light on Epstein’s network, Alaska’s GOP senators chose secrecy. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan joined 49 Republicans in voting to table an amendment that would have forced the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Illustration by Holly Todd
After skipping public town halls during the August recess, Alaska’s GOP delegation is back with the same old sales job: trying to sell Trump’s “big beautiful bill” as a winning prize. Problem is, folks here have seen enough of the show — and they’re not buying. Illustration by Holly Todd.
September 5, 2025 at 6:41 PM
After skipping public town halls during the August recess, Alaska’s GOP delegation is back with the same old sales job: trying to sell Trump’s “big beautiful bill” as a winning prize. Problem is, folks here have seen enough of the show — and they’re not buying. Illustration by Holly Todd.
Alaska’s GOP delegation skipped August town halls — continuing the trend of dodging voters and tough questions.
Commentary and Illustration by Holly Todd
Commentary and Illustration by Holly Todd
September 2, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Alaska’s GOP delegation skipped August town halls — continuing the trend of dodging voters and tough questions.
Commentary and Illustration by Holly Todd
Commentary and Illustration by Holly Todd
Despite hopes for a breakthrough on Ukraine, the Anchorage meeting between Trump and Putin ended without agreement. The Russian leader instead leveraged the summit for symbolic power — upstaging Trump, declining a ceasefire and securing an image of legitimacy back home.
Illustration by Holly Todd.
Illustration by Holly Todd.
August 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Despite hopes for a breakthrough on Ukraine, the Anchorage meeting between Trump and Putin ended without agreement. The Russian leader instead leveraged the summit for symbolic power — upstaging Trump, declining a ceasefire and securing an image of legitimacy back home.
Illustration by Holly Todd.
Illustration by Holly Todd.
For years, Gov. Dunleavy’s near‑absolute veto power kept legislators in check. This weekend, that streak broke.
🗳 Alaska lawmakers overrode his school funding veto — 45 votes exactly, the first time in decades the bar was met. Illustration by Holly Todd.
🗳 Alaska lawmakers overrode his school funding veto — 45 votes exactly, the first time in decades the bar was met. Illustration by Holly Todd.
August 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
For years, Gov. Dunleavy’s near‑absolute veto power kept legislators in check. This weekend, that streak broke.
🗳 Alaska lawmakers overrode his school funding veto — 45 votes exactly, the first time in decades the bar was met. Illustration by Holly Todd.
🗳 Alaska lawmakers overrode his school funding veto — 45 votes exactly, the first time in decades the bar was met. Illustration by Holly Todd.
Last week, the Anchorage Assembly passed a law banning camping near schools, trails and roads. But Assembly members warn it criminalizes poverty without offering solutions — and will push encampments into already overburdened neighborhoods. Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
July 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Last week, the Anchorage Assembly passed a law banning camping near schools, trails and roads. But Assembly members warn it criminalizes poverty without offering solutions — and will push encampments into already overburdened neighborhoods. Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
Last week, the U.S. Forest Service announced it will try to repeal the “Roadless Rule,” a measure protecting the Tongass National Forest from wide-scale development and logging. Commentary by Holly Todd.
July 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Last week, the U.S. Forest Service announced it will try to repeal the “Roadless Rule,” a measure protecting the Tongass National Forest from wide-scale development and logging. Commentary by Holly Todd.
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan: Senator for the 1%.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
June 16, 2025 at 9:02 PM
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan: Senator for the 1%.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Anchorage saw its largest protest of Trump’s second term on Saturday, as No Kings demonstrators filled downtown streets in solidarity with a statewide and national call to defend Medicaid and immigrant rights. Photos and story by Matt Buxton.
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/06/16/a...
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/06/16/a...
June 16, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Anchorage saw its largest protest of Trump’s second term on Saturday, as No Kings demonstrators filled downtown streets in solidarity with a statewide and national call to defend Medicaid and immigrant rights. Photos and story by Matt Buxton.
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/06/16/a...
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/06/16/a...
When you weaken public schools and call it ‘school choice.'
Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
June 13, 2025 at 8:01 PM
When you weaken public schools and call it ‘school choice.'
Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
After vetoing a widely backed education bill, Gov. Mike Dunleavy lands in the political dunce corner. Lawmakers passed a veto override. Schools are funded. Dunleavy flunked.
Commentary by Holly Todd.
Commentary by Holly Todd.
May 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
After vetoing a widely backed education bill, Gov. Mike Dunleavy lands in the political dunce corner. Lawmakers passed a veto override. Schools are funded. Dunleavy flunked.
Commentary by Holly Todd.
Commentary by Holly Todd.
As the GOP pushes to slash Medicaid, Alaska lawmakers are warning the move could be deadly — literally. The cuts threaten to strip health care from up to 40,000 Alaskans, gut services in rural communities and blow a $200 million hole in the state budget.
Commentary by Holly Todd.
Commentary by Holly Todd.
May 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM
As the GOP pushes to slash Medicaid, Alaska lawmakers are warning the move could be deadly — literally. The cuts threaten to strip health care from up to 40,000 Alaskans, gut services in rural communities and blow a $200 million hole in the state budget.
Commentary by Holly Todd.
Commentary by Holly Todd.
Ranked choice got him elected. His first choice now? Ban it.
Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
May 3, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Ranked choice got him elected. His first choice now? Ban it.
Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
Commentary and illustration by Holly Todd.
On a typical week-long trip, it’s estimated that an Alaskan cruise ship using an open-loop scrubber discharges an average of 200 million liters of wash water. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/04/28/a...
April 29, 2025 at 10:01 PM
On a typical week-long trip, it’s estimated that an Alaskan cruise ship using an open-loop scrubber discharges an average of 200 million liters of wash water. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/04/28/a...
Mt. Spurr hasn’t erupted yet, but this month’s tariff-driven stock market crash brought a different kind of fallout: a $4.8 billion hit to the Alaska Permanent Fund.
Illustration by @hollyatodds
Illustration by @hollyatodds
April 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Mt. Spurr hasn’t erupted yet, but this month’s tariff-driven stock market crash brought a different kind of fallout: a $4.8 billion hit to the Alaska Permanent Fund.
Illustration by @hollyatodds
Illustration by @hollyatodds
AIDEA gets endless lifelines while Alaska’s educators are told to sink or swim.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
April 5, 2025 at 1:00 AM
AIDEA gets endless lifelines while Alaska’s educators are told to sink or swim.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Anchorage: Your vote is the seed for change. 🌱🗳️ Tuesday is the last day to vote in the municipal election. Read our election guide for a breakdown of the ballot propositions, candidates and to find where you can cast your ballot or vote in person.
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/03/27/a...
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/03/27/a...
April 1, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Anchorage: Your vote is the seed for change. 🌱🗳️ Tuesday is the last day to vote in the municipal election. Read our election guide for a breakdown of the ballot propositions, candidates and to find where you can cast your ballot or vote in person.
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/03/27/a...
thealaskacurrent.com/2025/03/27/a...
Alaska’s true hibernators: Bears, Arctic squirrels, marmots… and Congressmen when asked to address the real issues facing Alaskans.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
March 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Alaska’s true hibernators: Bears, Arctic squirrels, marmots… and Congressmen when asked to address the real issues facing Alaskans.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
Standing up for Alaskans? Nick Begich prefers a more horizontal approach. Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd
March 3, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Standing up for Alaskans? Nick Begich prefers a more horizontal approach. Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd
With Alaska facing outmigration and slow economic growth, incoming Anchorage Rep. Ky Holland wants to stop 'managing decline' and start investing in the future. His bills aim to foster entrepreneurship and innovation statewide. https://buff.ly/4hlmIOg
January 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
With Alaska facing outmigration and slow economic growth, incoming Anchorage Rep. Ky Holland wants to stop 'managing decline' and start investing in the future. His bills aim to foster entrepreneurship and innovation statewide. https://buff.ly/4hlmIOg
