Self-governance

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he could stop or alter certification of the state's U.S. Senate result if an investigation he ordered finds illegal conduct tied to Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign. The probe follows a New York Times report alleging Peltola advisers and DSCC aides helped recruit a second "Dan Sullivan," now called "Decoy Dan," to run against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola denies knowledge, though her former campaign manager said she was "definitely aware"; the DSCC also denies involvement. The Justice Department has sued to block certification of any winner but Sullivan and opened a criminal investigation, while President Trump has called the episode voter fraud.

Sullivan says the scheme is costing him votes and confusing voters, but has pledged to accept the results. A House Oversight Committee leader suggested Peltola might not be seated if she wins. "Decoy Dan" has drawn FBI scrutiny, with one donor describing agents questioning his son. Prosecutors are expected to continue investigating past Election Day as debate continues over whether the recruitment was deceptive or whether blocking certification is itself interference.

California lawmakers have sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill, AB 2222, that would create the nation's most ambitious state tax credit program for local news organizations. The measure would redirect revenue generated by conforming state tax law to a federal provision in Trump's tax legislation that eliminated corporate deductions for executive pay above $1 million. Newsrooms could receive an estimated $43 million in credits tied to journalists' wages, with tax credits ranging from $7,500 for part-time positions to $20,000 for full-time roles, plus bonuses for new hires. National outlets and partisan "pink slime" sites would be excluded.

The bill responds to a steep decline in local journalism: more than 12,000 California newsroom jobs have disappeared since 2002, and over 3,500 U.S. newspapers have closed, according to advocacy group Rebuild Local News. The McClatchy chain, which owns the Sacramento Bee, recently announced major layoffs. Newsom's finance department has opposed the bill, questioning its economic benefit, and the governor has not stated his position. Supporters argue the credits, though unable to reverse the industry's decline, would preserve local reporting jobs seen as vital to civic accountability and democracy.