DOJ Demands Voter Data from States, Sparking Privacy Concerns

0:00It's March 17th in Anchorage, let's get into the news. A federal judge in Alaska has ruled that a land agreement between native groups and the government stays in full force for now. Judge Sharon Gleason issued the decision on Monday, citing with a new-exut trilateral coalition. This group includes the city's governments and a local native corporation. Their right-of-way deal covers key territory in the National Petroleum Reserve. The ruling blocks that area from an upcoming oil lease sale planned by the Bureau of Land Management. The sale covers 5.5 million acres, with bid set to open on Wednesday. Officials have not said yet how they will adjust the sale or handle any bids already in. The coalition sued after the previous administration canceled their agreement, which was made under the current administration last year. It was part of support for the Willow Oil Project. Meanwhile, a second lawsuit from environmental groups challenges the broader management plan for the reserve, but the judge has not ruled on that one.

1:01Yet, this case stands out because the judge focused on the direct loss of property rights, not future drilling harms. Passuits often struggle to prove damage from leases not yet developed. Government lawyers pointed to a big congressional bill that pushed for more leasing. The area around to Shekpuk Lake supports vital wildlife, like a caribou herd and migrating birds. The decision highlights ongoing tensions over oil development and native land rights in the Arctic. This episode is brought to you by our sponsor. See the episode description. Relax deeper. Reset faster. Come for you can hear, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.