"AFL-CIO"

To some observers, the cash going toward the recall signifies a deeply partisan political climate where people have starkly different views on the pandemic.

A labor dispute involving the largest union representing state ferry workers is poised to paralyze the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Both power brokers and conflicted voters have expressed concern that the Democratic Begich and independent Walker will compete for the same voters.

“I think there’s a lot of what I would call anxiety in the center and the left of the political spectrum in Alaska,” said Hollis French, who wants Walker and Begich to agree that someone drop out to eliminate political anxiety. Begich supports the idea, but Walker rejected it.

Labor groups, which have been allies of President Obama, are now stepping up their efforts to thwart White House plans for passing foreign trade deals on a “fast track” through Congress.

About 60 people attended the rainy campaign rally. Byron Mallott’s stump speech was about 9 minutes long.

Majority Leader Harry Reid said he wants the Senate to pass its bill by the Fourth of July recess. He promised an open amendment process, complete with votes on all sorts of tweaks to the bill.