Trump Taps Alaska Gov. Dunleavy for Arctic Commission

0:00It's April 16th. Welcome to Anchorage News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. President Trump just tapped Alaska Governor Mike Dunlevy for a spot on the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. This group drives Arctic science and picks funding priorities for projects in Alaska and across the international Arctic. It's a milestone first time, a sitting governor joins, and it kicks off immediately. The move lines up with the U.S. grabbing massive new Arctic territory in 2023, about two Californians worth north of Alaska. Former Commission Chair Mead Treadwell calls it crucial, saying we need a Lewis and Clark style push to map what we've got. Governor Dunlevy says it's an honor and plans to amp up America's Arctic leadership. No salary comes with a gig, but they cover travel and per diem for up to 90 days a year. Trump's administration is steering Arctic policy toward national security, icebreakers, and resource development, dialing back on climate research. Trump did something similar, naming Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as Greenland envoy in

1:03December 2025. With Dunlevy's governor term wrapping early December, I stand how this shapes U.S. Arctic strategy.