In Alaska, PAs are now PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES. We are no longer “physician assistants.” The title “Physician Associate” more honestly reflects the role PAs play in Alaska’s healthcare system. #akleg #physicianassociate #physicianassistant

Jim Lottsfeldt was born & raised in Anchorage. Known for decades as the go-to campaign mastermind for Republican candidates, in recent years he has become a political guru on the Left. We discuss how that came to be on the East Anchorage Book Club podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg

Mexico began its fight for independence from Spain 216 years ago this week. In the heart of the U-Med district tonight, I attended a wonderful celebration at la michoacana last frontier ice cream parlor. Photo with La Michoacana owners Daniela and Jesús Villa & @repmina #mexicanindependence #akleg

I attended opening night of “Ḵutulagaaw: The Tlingit-Russian Battles”—the world’s 1st Lingít opera — with 2 of my favorite people, Representatives Hannan & Story. Congrats Ed Littlefield (composer), Vera Starbard (librettist), Madeline Savet (director), X̱ʼunei Lance Twitchell (translator), & cast!

Alaska prosecutors are dropping voter misconduct cases against a group of Whittier residents born in American Samoa after a state appeals court threw out felony charges against a woman who wrongly checked a box saying she was a U.S. citizen. www.adn.com/alaska-news/...

Alaska drops voter misconduct cases against American Samoans who wrongly checked ‘U.S. citizen’ box

An appeals court ruled that state law requires proof that defendants who erroneously filled out voter registration forms had a “consciousness of wrongdoing” and intended to break the law.

adn.com

Ed Littlefield is the composer of  “Ḵutulagaaw: The Tlingit-Russian Battles”—the world’s first Lingít opera premiering tonight at Thunder Mountain Middle School in Juneau & running through Sept 20. Listen to my interview with Ed on the East Anchorage Book Club: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Sept. 11, 2001, I was 26 & living in Tallinn, Estonia. I was about to teach an English class. The room was somber when I walked in. A woman said, “We are so sorry about what is happening in your country,” and everyone started crying. The tragedy was felt around the world. #NeverForget #akleg

Valerie Casler’s bravery led to the conviction & imprisonment of a man who was murdering women in Anchorage (Kathleen Jo Henry & Veronica Abouchuk). Valerie stole a cell phone that had a video of a murder, turned it in, & was a witness at the trial. Thanks to her efforts, lives were saved. #akleg

On 9/7, AK Dept of Law made public a document that had blatant factual mistakes. In fact, it claimed I managed a company — I’ve never managed a company — in Switzerland — I’ve never been to Switzerland. I’m not the only one. How will the Department of Law remedy these inaccuracies? #akleg #akgov

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) is the only member of the US Congress to publicly admit that he does not believe in gods. We discuss his book, “No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism.” Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/1875228/epis... #akleg #ChristianNationalism

Dick Traini was the 1st assembly member I met when I started going to Campbell Park Community Council. He was passionately arguing to outlaw plastic bags in Anchorage. He & his wife never missed a meeting & he listened & cared. Thank you, Dick, for your service to our city. RIP. #akleg

We are witnessing an example of our 2-tiered justice system. 1. a marginalized group fails to understand a nuanced aspect of state election law. 2. a former attorney general intentionally violates state campaign finance law. Check out my op-ed @adn.com www.adn.com/opinions/202... #akleg

Opinion: American Samoans, Treg Taylor and Alaska’s two-tiered justice system

If misunderstanding election law can bring felony charges, knowingly disregarding election law should not escape scrutiny.

adn.com

Few folks understand election law better than former AG Treg Taylor. So when he decides that poor brown people should be charged with felonies for accidentally voting in a local election, while he willfully ignores election law in his campaign for governor, we must call it out. #akleg

This is why I am so angry: The state of Alaska made Mili Suli’s last year on Earth a living hell. And our former Attorney General thinks laws need not be obeyed. #akleg

Alex Burness@burness.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Miliama Suli, matriarch of the American Samoan community of Whittier, Alaska, died this weekend. Through her last moments, even as she was sick and clearly soon to die, the state prosecuted Mili for alleged voting crimes. It’s a wild case and worth a few minutes of your time if you’re unfamiliar:

Alaska legislator asks state to prosecute candidate for Lt. Gov. and former attorney general, reports James Brooks @alaska.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/09/03/a...

Alaska legislator asks state to prosecute candidate for Lt. Gov. and former attorney general | Alaska Beacon

Democratic Rep. Andrew Gray is seeking action against two Republican politicians, accusing them of hypocrisy with election laws.

alaskabeacon.com

Big thanks to the Anchorage Assembly for proclaiming September 20 as LGBTQ Veterans Day. This year is the 15th anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Now more than ever we must reaffirm the right for all people to serve our country in uniform. #AKLeg #MilitaryPride #LGBTQVeteransDay

Lucas Schleusener, CEO of Out in National Security, was a speech writer for Secretaries of Defense Panetta, Hagel, & Carter. He leads a movement to make Sept 20 LGBTQ Veterans Day. Anchorage Assembly will do so. Listen to East Anchorage Book Club Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg

Last week I was honored to participate in the Alaska Defense Forum in Fairbanks. ADF is a meeting of military leaders, industry partners, & community stakeholders who shape our state’s role in national defense. Below is a clip of me speaking on a legislative panel. #akleg #FreedomOfPress

For 50 years, @dermotcole.Bsku.social, has reported out of Fairbanks. After 37 years at the News-Miner & then a few at Alaska Dispatch & ADN, he began a blog: dermotcole.com where he has highlighted issues otherwise neglected. On behalf of the AK Legislature Thank you, Dermot. #akleg #AlaskaHistory

Jim Duncan is a former Speaker of the AK House. He served 24 years in the leg (12 in each body) & passed 70+ bills into law. What he is most remembered for is losing his speakership in a dramatic coup in 1981. Listen on the East Anchorage Book Club Podcast: www.buzzsprout.com/1875228/epis... #akleg

The Pentagon on Friday fired the editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes & a top reporter for insubordination after they spoke against any interference by the Defense Department in the military news outlet that has a long history of editorial independence. www.pbs.org/newshour/amp... #akleg

Amanda Metivier of Facing Foster Care in AK spoke at Housing summit yesterday on housing instability. 45% of foster youth have experienced homelessness by age 21. Lauree Morton of AK Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault spoke about housing instability & its effect on DV survivors.

60% of Alaska women will experience sexual assault or domestic violence during their lifetimes. Randi Breager is the Director of Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC), AK’s largest domestic violence shelter. Listen to her story: www.buzzsprout.com/1875228/epis... awaic.org

Debbie Corbett decided at age 6 she was going to be an archeologist. For 40+ years she has excavated the Aleutian Chain. Yesterday we awarded her a legislative citation for her work including the definitive textbook she co-authored: “Culture and Archeology of the Ancestral Unangax̂.” #akleg

Lisa Weissler, author of “Capitol Crude: the Impact of Oil on Alaska Politics,” worked off & on in the Capitol for 40 years. We discuss the all-powerful hold the oil industry has had on Alaska since the early 80s. Listen to the East Anchorage Book Club Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Facing Foster Care in Alaska honored the work of my office in establishing a new law which prevents foster kids from being held in psychiatric facilities when they do not belong there. So grateful to FFCA for the recognition and for all the important work they do. #akleg

As a young adult, Willie Iġġiaġruk Hensley’s family home in Kotzebue was sold for a bottle of whiskey. Hensley was instrumental in the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA). Listen to the East Anchorage Book Club podcast: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id15... #akleg

For 25 years, Dena Thomas has been teaching group fitness at The Alaska Club — over half of her life’s weekends & early mornings dedicated to keeping Alaskans healthy Her infectious energy carry over to her 20 years of work at Alyeska Pipeline Services We honored Dena with a legislative citation!

Reverend Matt Schultz, pastor for First Presbyterian Church in downtown Anchorage, was the Democratic candidate for Alaska's lone US House seat until he suspended his campaign on July 17. We discuss what led to his withdrawal from the race. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg

Karen Bronga lived in East Anchorage for 60 years. She was a retired school teacher who served on the Assembly (2023-2025) after Forrest Dunbar was elected to the state Senate. She was killed yesterday in a car crash. A tragedy for East Anchorage. Sending love to her family. I’ll miss you, Karen.