New ‘Alaska Independent’ newspaper arriving in Alaska mailboxes linked to national dark-money Democrat network

By SUZANNE DOWNING

July 5, 2026 – Alaskans across the state have begun finding an odd publication in their mailboxes called The Alaska Independent, a free “newspaper” that presents itself as a source of Alaska news but is actually part of a national media and political advocacy scheme tied to Democrats.

The June edition features stories on rising gasoline prices, commercial fishing, health care, Medicaid, food assistance, glowing coverage of Mary Peltola’s US Senate campaign, and the state’s minimum wage increase. It contains no commercial advertising. Instead, every story directs readers to scan QR codes to continue reading online.

One article features business owner Mark Robokoff, a registered Democrat. The article is written by a Pennsylvania writer, Anna Gustafson, who writes for leftist organizations.

The publication is produced by American Independent Media, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that operates a growing network of state-branded “Independent” news sites. According to its website, The Alaska Independent is “a project of American Independent Media,” whose stated mission is to “use journalism to educate the public.”

The newspaper’s arrival in Alaska mirrors a strategy the organization has already deployed in several battleground states, where millions of free newspapers have been mailed to targeted households.

A review of the Alaska edition shows a consistent emphasis on issues and candidates generally aligned with Democrat and pro-Marxist messaging.

The cover story warns that Alaska fishermen are paying “the cost of war.” Inside are articles highlighting the impact of Medicaid reductions, Affordable Care Act tax credits, proposed cuts to the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, and a positive angle on the increases in the state’s minimum wage.

Another feature profiles Democratic US Senate candidate Mary Peltola under the headline, “Peltola vows to curb inflation in ‘Fish, Family, Freedom’ Senate bid.”

The edition also includes travel features, recipes, puzzles and other lifestyle content, giving it the stealth appearance of a traditional community newspaper.

What readers will not find are paid advertisements supporting the cost of producing and mailing the publication statewide.

Instead, the operation is financed through nonprofit organizations and grants.

American Independent Media is affiliated with the American Independent Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that reported nearly $58.6 million in revenue during 2024. According to publicly available tax filings, the foundation transferred more than $11 million to its affiliated American Independent Media organization during that year.

The organization’s history traces back to liberal activist David Brock. The media operation evolved from Blue Nation Review, later renamed Shareblue, before becoming The American Independent and ultimately the American Independent Foundation. Brock has also founded or led organizations including Media Matters and American Bridge, Democratic-aligned organizations focused on opposition research and media messaging.

Brock is described  by Time magazine as “one of the most influential political operatives in the Democratic party.” He resides in Washington, DC and is tightly aligned with Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Public records show the foundation has also received support from a variety of large philanthropic organizations and donor-advised funds, including grants from the Hopewell Fund, part of the Arabella Advisor dark money network and other national foundations, at least one linked to George Soros.

The Alaska publication is not an isolated effort.

The same organization expanded into Montana ahead of that state’s competitive 2024 elections. Earlier campaigns included monthly newspaper mailings to selected voters in Virginia and Wisconsin, where the organization has publicly discussed using printed newspapers to reach moderate and progressive voters.

This type of publication as part of a growing trend in which politically aligned organizations produce newspapers that resemble traditional local journalism while advancing ideological objectives. The practice is referred to as “pink slime journalism” by some.

The Alaska edition does identify its publisher in the fine print, noting that it is produced by American Independent Media. It does not present itself as a campaign publication, nor does it contain explicit endorsements of candidates. It has no advertising.

Nevertheless, the editorial choices are notable: Nearly every public policy story focuses on topics that place Republican officeholders or conservative policy proposals in a negative light, while the feature on Peltola highlights her campaign themes without including a comparable profile of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.

The Alaska version newspaper represents the latest example of national political organizations investing in localized “media” products as traditional newspapers continue to shrink. Rather than purchasing campaign advertisements, organizations are increasingly producing publications that resemble conventional community newspapers while emphasizing issues and story selection likely to shape public opinion ahead of elections.