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Good afternoon. It's Friday, Jan. 23.

In today's newsletter:

In his final State of the State address, Gov. Mike Dunleavy touted his accomplishments and reiterated his intention to introduce a plan that would solve Alaska's fiscal crisis.
Three Alaskans have sued state election officials, alleging that language adopted by the state for a ballot measure seeking to repeal Alaska's open primary and ranked choice voting system is "untrue, incomplete, and partisan."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon will take aim at a contracting program that's become a critical part of the business portfolios for many Alaska Native corporations.

The weekend is here, and there's plenty to do around Anchorage to keep busy. From comedy and improv to benefits and lots of live music — including the Anchorage Folk Festival — check out our listing of weekend events here.

Anchorage weather

It's mostly sunny today with a high near 26 degrees. Freezing fog will roll in overnight and stick around on Saturday. Sunday should be mostly sunny, but a chance of snow returns to the forecast starting Sunday night. Daytime highs will remain in the mid-20s for the next several days.

Here's what else is making headlines in Alaska today.

— Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com

In final State of the State address, Dunleavy defends record as governor but gives few details on fiscal plan →

The speech came after the governor promised to propose new taxes in his final year in office. Majority lawmakers met his speech, and his pledge on a fiscal plan, with some skepticism.

Ranked choice supporters accuse Alaska election officials of using 'untrue' language in repeal ballot measure →

The plaintiffs contend that the state's ballot language is notably different from the language that was provided on the signature petitions circulated by the repeal campaign.

Pentagon will take 'sledgehammer' to contracting program central to many Alaska Native corporations, Hegseth says →

"We're actually taking a sledgehammer to the oldest DEI program in the federal government," Hegseth said in a video earlier this month, referring to the 8(a) Business Development Program.

Alaska lawmakers seek details on 11th Airborne Division's possible deployment to Minneapolis →

Rep. Andrew Gray, a veteran of the Alaska National Guard who co-chairs the Legislature's Joint Armed Services Committee, said lawmakers are drafting a letter to federal officials seeking answers to basic questions about the prospective deployment.

Person and dogs found dead after mobile home fire in East Anchorage →

The origin and cause of the fire had not yet been determined, the department said. A spokesperson said an investigator was on the scene as of this morning.