“We decided that money was a problem, and that we wanted to help get, not just a few people, but everybody, what they need.” - Alora Stasenko, a recent high school graduate who helped launch a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage in Nome.
Teens Kaya Kent and Sara James are among many youth in Nome, Alaska fighting for a $25 minimum wage. (EMILY SCHERER FOR THE 19TH)
By Chabeli Carrazana, the 19th
In one of the most remote towns in America, a group of teenagers is fighting to put an initiative on the November ballot that would raise the minimum wage for the largely Native population of Nome, Alaska.
The Alaska Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging the Alaska Division of Elections’ language of a ballot measure that would overhaul state elections on Aug. 25, 2026. (Screenshot of hearing via Gavel Alaska)
By Corinne Smith
The Alaska Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday on legal challenges brought by two groups on opposing sides of the state’s current ranked choice voting election system. The two groups of plaintiffs brought lawsuits against the Alaska Division of Elections challenging the language of a ballot measure, set to go before voters in November, abolishing the voting method along with other changes.
A gray whale is seen (Photo by Merrill Gosho/NOAA Fisheries)
By Yereth Rosen
Amid a decade of die-offs and a sharp decline in the population of gray whales that swim along the Pacific coast of North America, three environmental groups are preparing to sue the Trump administration over its failure to bring back Environmental Species Act protections for the animals.
Do you have questions for candidates?
We'll ask.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Active court order still blocking Trump effort to restrict vote-by-mail | States Newsroom
Dolly Parton dies at 80 after a life of music and giving | Tennessee Lookout
Commentary - Alaska should turn AI time savings into mentor time | Gleb Tsipursky
Thanks for reading The Morning Light. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.