Liz Ruskin

And I think it would give a lot of, you know, more cynical, skeptical people, especially on the right, a reason to get out to the polls and vote.

Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina told reporters at the Capitol that the agency's performance in Minneapolis disqualifies Noem from leading the department, calling her actions amateurish and terrible.

Tillis and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska say Noem lost credibility and inflamed tensions by calling Alex Preddy, the nurse her agents killed, a domestic terrorist.

Both senators say she should step down.

President Trump, though, says Noem is doing, quote, a very good job.

For NPR News, I'm Liz Ruskin at the Capitol.

With Peltola, National Democrats believe Alaska becomes one of their best hopes to flip a seat.

In a campaign launch video, Peltola stressed her salmon-centered family life on Alaska's Kuskokwim River and repeated her previous campaign slogan, Fish, Family, Freedom.

Sullivan is campaigning with President Trump's endorsement.

Alaska's other senator, moderate Republican Lisa Murkowski, is a frequent Trump critic.

She's endorsed Peltola in the past, but says she's endorsing Sullivan now to keep the Senate's Republican majority.

For NPR News, I'm Liz Ruskin.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is opening the entire coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing.

But oil companies might not bid.

Prior lease sales brought no development.

Burgum also took steps to advance two roads in roadless areas.

The Ambler Road is intended to spur mining in northwest Alaska.

Tribal members fear it will end their ability to live off the land.

The other road would link the isolated community of King Cove to an all-weather airport, but it would cross a refuge important to bird migrations.

Environmental groups say the fight isn't over.