Alaska
Opinion: Rethinking Alaska’s state seal for the modern era
This year, Alaska celebrates 70 years since our state constitution was created. And yet the official state seal that was adopted then fails to acknowledge Alaska’s Indigenous identities and all of our state’s resources.
State seals are official symbols used to visually represent a state by featuring images and text meant to resonate with the history, values and identity of the state.
Every time you cast a ballot, or every time an official law or proclamation is issued, the Alaska state seal is on that document. The lieutenant governor is responsible for the official use of the seal. It is found on the walls of the state capitol and legislative offices, but sometimes it seems to be hidden in plain sight.
After Alaska was purchased from Russia, Alaska’s seal featured Indigenous figures fishing and harvesting marine mammals.

And yet in 1910, the territorial governor redesigned the seal, erasing the Alaska Native representation and shifting focus to Alaska’s mining, timber, seafood and agriculture resources.
This is the same seal that represents Alaska today. Fun fact: The mining resource on the seal is represented by a smoking ore smelter. But the only smelter in Alaska is the symbol on the state seal; all mined ore is shipped to smelters Outside.
Indigenous people were the first people and deserve to be acknowledged on the seal. Native cultural symbols and art make up some of the most recognizable and significant visual imagery in our state.
Additionally, 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the trans-Alaska pipeline. Oil production has revolutionized Alaska’s economic and sociocultural landscape, bringing over $300 billion in revenue to the state since the pipeline opened.
The current official seal has elements representing the state’s bounty of resources. But Alaska’s oil, the biggest resource bounty for the past 50 years, is not. It should be represented on the seal.
Benny Benson designed Alaska’s flag as part of a territory-wide competition for students in 1927. His new flag represented hope for the future of our beautiful land. Like the flag, our state seal should represent all the people in the state, and Alaska’s past, present and dreams of its future.
To policymakers, educators and tribal leaders: With the 70th anniversary of statehood coming in 2029, maybe it’s time we have another state competition. This time, it will be for our seal.
Dave Norton is an engineer from Anchorage. He is a board member of the Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society.
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[Related: Anchorage Assembly reveals options for new city seal with Dena’ina designs]
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Alaska
National Native helpline for domestic violence and sexual assault to open Alaska-specific service
Alaska
Dozens of vehicle accidents reported, Anchorage after-school activities canceled, as snowfall buries Southcentral Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Up to a foot of snow has fallen in areas across Southcentral as of Tuesday, with more expected into Wednesday morning.
All sports and after-school activities — except high school basketball and hockey activities — were canceled Tuesday for the Anchorage School District. The decision was made to allow crews to clear school parking lots and manage traffic for snow removal, district officials said.
“These efforts are critical to ensuring schools can safely remain open [Wednesday],” ASD said in a statement.
The Anchorage Police Department’s accident count for the past two days shows there have been 55 car accidents since Monday, as of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. In addition, there have been 86 vehicles in distress reported by the department.
The snowfall — which has brought up to 13 inches along areas of Turnagain Arm and 12 inches in Wasilla — is expected to continue Tuesday, according to latest forecast models. Numerous winter weather alerts are in effect, and inland areas of Southcentral could see winds up to 25 mph, with coastal areas potentially seeing winds over 45 mph.
Some areas of Southcentral could see more than 20 inches of snowfall by Wednesday, with the Anchorage and Eagle River Hillsides, as well as the foothills of the Talkeetna Mountain, among the areas seeing the most snowfall.
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Alaska
Yundt Served: Formal Charges Submitted to Alaska Republican Party, Asks for Party Sanction and Censure of Senator Rob Yundt
On January 3, 2026, Districts 27 and 28 of the Alaska Republican Party received formal charges against Senator Rob Yundt pursuant to Article VII of the Alaska Republican Party Rules.
According to the Alaska Republican Party Rules: “Any candidate or elected official may be sanctioned or censured for any of the following
reasons:
(a) Failure to follow the Party Platform.
(b) Engagement in any activities prohibited by or contrary to these rules or RNC Rules.
(c) Failure to carry out or perform the duties of their office.
(d) Engaging in prohibited discrimination.
(e) Forming a majority caucus in which non-Republicans are at least 1/3 or more of the
coalition.
(f) Engaging in other activities that may be reasonably assessed as bringing dishonor to
the ARP, such as commission of a serious crime.”
Party Rules require the signatures of at least 3 registered Republican constituents for official charges to be filed. The formal charges were signed by registered Republican voters and District N constitutions Jerad McClure, Thomas W. Oels, Janice M. Norman, and Manda Gershon.
Yundt is charged with “failure to adhere and uphold the Alaska Republican Party Platform” and “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles and priorities of the Alaska Republican Party Rules.” The constituents request: “Senator Rob Yundt be provided proper notice of the charges and a full and fair opportunity to respond; and that, upon a finding by the required two-thirds (2/3) vote of the District Committees that the charges are valid, the Committees impose the maximum sanctions authorized under Article VII.”
If the Party finds Yundt guilty of the charges, Yundt may be disciplined with formal censure by the Alaska Republican Party, declaration of ineligibility for Party endorsement, withdrawal of political support, prohibition from participating in certain Party activities, and official and public declaration that Yundt’s conduct and voting record contradict the Party’s values and priorities.
Reasons for the charges are based on Yundt’s active support of House Bill 57, Senate Bill 113, and Senate Bill 92. Constituents who filed the charges argue that HB 57 opposes the Alaska Republican Party Platform by “expanding government surveillance and dramatically increasing education spending;” that SB 113 opposes the Party’s Platform by “impos[ing] new tax burdens on Alaskan consumers and small businesses;” and that SB 92 opposes the Party by “proposing a targeted 9.2% tax on major private-sector energy producer supplying natural gas to Southcentral Alaska.” Although the filed charges state that SB 92 proposes a 9.2% tax, the bill actually proposes a 9.4% tax on income from oil and gas production and transportation.
Many Alaskan conservatives have expressed frustration with Senator Yundt’s legislative decisions. Some, like Marcy Sowers, consider Yundt more like “a tax-loving social justice warrior” than a conservative.
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