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- BT Tower in London set to become luxury hotel following £275 million sale
- British doctor arrested in Ecuador over murder of Colombian model found in suitcase
- EU mobilises rescue teams to assist Venezuela after deadly earthquakes
- Governor Spencer Cox restricts Utah fireworks amid worsening wildfire threat
- Flooding concerns rise in Alberta as tornado watches affect Saskatchewan
- Challenger Dan J. Sullivan eligible for primary ballot against Sen. Dan Sullivan, judge rules
- Woman gives birth under rubble in Venezuela earthquake aftermath
- Serbian president vučić announces resignation and calls early elections
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BT Tower in London set to become luxury hotel following £275 million sale
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Get you up to speed: London’s BT Tower is transforming into a luxury hotel after £275,000,000 sale | News UK
The BT Tower in London is undergoing a major transformation to become a hotel, being developed by MCR. The landmark, which has been closed to the public for over half a century, is currently being stripped out and revamped.
MCR’s plans for the BT Tower include a range of new amenities, such as hotel rooms, shops, and a rooftop pool. The company expects to apply for planning permission in September, with construction anticipated to begin in 2029 and an expected completion in 2033.
The transformation of the BT Tower into a hotel is set to commence after MCR, the third-largest hotel operator in the United States, finalises its acquisition from BT Group in 2029, with planning permission expected to be sought in September. MCR anticipates that the renovation will provide significant economic benefits, including new jobs for the local community, and aims to complete the project by 2033.
What remains unclear — The timeline for the hotel’s opening after the completion of construction in 2033 has not been specified.
BT Tower in London set to become luxury hotel following £275 million sale
The iconic BT Tower landmark is about to undergo a major transformation which will see it turned into a hotel.
The iconic 620ft landmark, located close to Tottenham Court Road, is being stripped out and undergoing a major revamp, after more than half a century of being closed off to the public.
The tower, which sits in the middle of Fitzrovia, was the tallest structure in the capital when it was built in 1964 – until it was surpassed by the NatWest Tower in 1980.
It was first opened in 1965 by then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson and opened to the public a year later, with a rotating restaurant on the 34th floor that offered complete views of the capital.
It’s now undergoing a major upgrade, and you can learn all about it here.
Why is the BT Tower turning into a hotel?
The site’s Top of the Tower restaurant was closed following a bomb explosion in the men’s toilets, prompting the closure of the whole tower to the public in the 1980s.
It was then left derelict for a number of years.
The tower’s restaurant re-opened in 2015 for two weeks to celebrate the BT Tower’s 50th anniversary before shutting down again.
Last year, however, MCR – the third-largest hotel operator in the United States – bought the tower for £275,000,000 under plans to re-open the landmark to the public for the first time in almost 50 years.
How will the BT Tower change?
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MCR’s proposals for the building were released earlier this year as part of a wider public consultation process, which ran throughout May.
The proposal includes being able to spend a night in ‘the Stick’, located on levels seven to 23, a part of the tower that has always been off-limits to the public.
The top of the tower will see the installation of an observation deck that will ‘tell the rich story of the BT Tower and telecommunications’, while also offering 360-degree panoramic views of London.
For the restored Podium and Howland buildings, which sit at the base of the tower, plans include several hotel rooms, as well as an amenity space, a publicly accessible square, and new retail, food and beverage shops.
New pedestrian walkways will also be created to give the public a chance to look up at the tower from below for the first time.
MCR promises that said all new retail and food shopfronts will ‘reflect the scale and rhythm of Fitzrovia’s historic streets’ with outdoor seating and display windows that will ‘bring back life to currently blank facades’.
A swimming pool, available to the public, will be built on the roof of the Podium building.
According to the BT Tower consultation website, the revamp will provide public access to the Top of the Tower and its podium buildings for the first time in nearly half a century.
It will also provide ‘new construction jobs and full-time jobs for the local community’ as well as a ‘significant economic boost for the neighbourhood’.
However, MCR states that the changes will complement Fitzrovia’s historic character and celebrate the BT Tower’s rich heritage.
Speaking about the landmark’s iconic design, Anne Archer, an archivist at the tower, told WTX: ‘Because of its function, the building had to be erected at a considerable height and have nothing obstructing it so as not to interrupt communication waves.
‘So it offers this stunning panoramic view. No matter what, the history of this building will always be preserved – there is no other building like this.’
She added: ‘But the new owners may be able to make the most of it more now. If a restaurant opens up inside the new hotel, more people will be able to come again.’
When will the hotel open?
According to Spabusiness.com, BT is still in the process of moving out of the building. It will hand over the site to MCR in 2029, when the hotel chain expects to begin construction.
MCR will apply for planning permission in September, and believes that the upgrade will be completed in 2033, with the hotel opening some time after.
WTX’s final look inside the BT Tower
WTX was treated to a final look at the building back in May. Inside was a time capsule of technology from the 60s and 70s, covered in a thick layer of dust.
Work had already begun to remove ageing wires, telephones and switchboards, all made redundant by technological advancement.
Brent Mathews, Property Director at BT Group, said: ‘The BT Tower sits at the heart of London and we’ve been immensely proud to be the owners of this important landmark since 1984.
‘It’s played a vital role in carrying the nation’s calls, messages and TV signals, but increasingly we’re delivering content and communication via other means.’
British doctor arrested in Ecuador over murder of Colombian model found in suitcase
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Get you up to speed: Brit doctor arrested over murder of model, 36, found dead inside suitcase | News World
Matthew Foster-Smith, a 46-year-old British national, has been arrested in Ecuador for the alleged murder of Colombian model Natalia Villalba Angarita, whose body was discovered in a suitcase in her Bogotá apartment. Colombian authorities confirmed his arrest following an Interpol Red Notice and are pursuing charges of aggravated femicide and evidence concealment.
Colombian authorities are coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure Matthew Foster-Smith is extradited to face charges related to the murder of Natalia Villalba Angarita, which is classified as aggravated femicide. Investigators have confirmed his alleged involvement based on evidence collected, including CCTV footage and phone records, following the discovery of Angarita’s body on June 22, with significant focus on the timeline of events leading up to her death on June 18.
Colombian prosecutors confirmed the arrest of Matthew Foster-Smith in Ecuador, stating he is alleged to have committed aggravated femicide against Natalia Villalba Angarita and that actions are underway to have him extradited for prosecution. Justice advocacy group Justicia Para Todos has called for a thorough investigation into the case, underscoring the need for prompt action by authorities to address gender-based violence.
What remains unclear — No motive has been confirmed for the murder of Natalia Villalba Angarita.
British doctor arrested in Ecuador over murder of Colombian model found in suitcase
Matthew Foster-Smith has been arrested following the murder of Natalia Villalba Angarita (Picture: BluRadio Colombia/JamPress)
A British medic wanted over the murder of a Colombian model found stuffed inside a suitcase has been arrested in Ecuador.
The body of Natalia Villalba Angarita, a 36-year-old model from Cúcuta, in northern Colombia, was found by cleaning staff when they entered her seventh-floor apartment in the capital, Bogotá, after the rental period ended on June 22.
With the shower still running, a grey suitcase was discovered in the bathroom, containing the model’s remains.
Matthew Foster-Smith had been named locally as the man police and prosecutors wanted to question over Angarita’s violent death.
The 46-year-old from Poole, Dorset, previously jailed twice in the UK for stalking and banned from practising as a doctor in Britain, insisted he was innocent hours before he was detained, using the World Cup as an alibi.
He told The Sun after leaving Colombia a day before her body was found on Monday: ‘I was watching England versus Croatia on a big screen in an Irish bar, so it wasn’t me.’
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The former doctor was wanted by police following the model’s violent death (Picture: DorsetPolice/BNPS)
Angarita, 36, was discovered by cleaners who entered her rented apartment (Picture: JamPress)
Foster-Smith claimed that, after the match, he went to the shopping centre for a ‘mooch about’ before buying an ice cream and going back to the bar later to watch another game.
‘I didn’t leave with anyone and went to bed myself at about 11pm local time.’
Overnight, Colombian prosecutors confirmed his arrest as they claimed he had beaten his victim to death before trying to conceal his alleged horrific crime, saying: ‘Pursuant to an arrest warrant obtained by a prosecutor from the Bogotá Sectional Office, and following the issue of an Interpol Red Notice, Ecuador’s National Police apprehended a British citizen at Quito International Airport.
‘He is alleged to be responsible for the death of a 36-year-old woman on June 18 in an apartment located in the Chico neighbourhood of northern Bogota.
‘Evidence obtained by the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI) indicates that he allegedly entered the apartment where the victim was alone, physically assaulted her until she died, and manipulated the body to place it inside a suitcase.
‘He then carried out various actions aimed at concealing what had happened, altering the crime scene, and fleeing the location.’
He was detained in Ecuador after his phone activity enabled authorities to track his location (Picture: BluRadio Colombia)
Their statement added that ‘the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia will carry out the necessary procedures to ensure that the foreign national is placed at its disposal and prosecuted in Colombia for the crimes of aggravated femicide and concealment, alteration, or destruction of material evidence’.
‘His location was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Attorney General’s Office, @MigracionCol, @SeguridadBOG, Interpol Colombia, and the authorities of Ecuador,’ it concluded, with one well-placed source telling Colombian press that Foster-Smith’s phone calls were traced as he tried to buy a ticket to Europe.
Prosecutors named the arrested man (who was pictured wearing shorts and a baseball cap when he was held at Quito International Airport) as Foster Martinson in their statement for reasons that were not immediately clear this morning.
Angarita’s grieving mother, Claudia, said earlier this week that she became concerned after her daughter stopped taking her calls last Thursday, the same day Foster-Smith was reportedly seen leaving the apartment block after entering hers the previous day.
CCTV cameras reportedly recorded Foster-Smith taking bedsheets to a laundry room in the building before exiting.
‘My daughter had been living in Bogota for 17 years,’ said Claudia, adding that they spoke ‘all the time’, but her phone is now still missing.
Angarita’s remains were stuffed inside a suitcase and placed in the shower, which was left running (Picture: JamPress)
‘Natalia told me she had a company and worked doing that. I don’t know what it was exactly, and I’m waiting to talk to one of her best friends, so she gives me more information about what she was doing work-wise.’
Angarita’s body has not yet been released to her family.
‘All we want is for the truth to come out.’
Investigators say Angarita initially checked into her apartment between June 3 and 7 with a man from Texas before subsequently extending her stay for another fortnight until June 21.
Foster-Smith left Colombia on Sunday, June 21, via the Rumichaca International Bridge, which is a bustling border crossing between Colombia and Ecuador.
In 2020, the murder suspect was jailed for 18 months in the UK after stalking an ex and posting revenge porn online. He denied all the allegations against him when he was arrested in June that year, but later pleaded guilty.
‘I was watching England versus Croatia on a big screen in an Irish bar, so it wasn’t me,’ said Foster-Smith (Picture: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
After his release, he began stalking another woman in her 40s by hanging around outside her workplace and engineering ‘chance’ meetings with her in public.
Dorset Police publicly warned people not to approach Foster-Smith and to call 999 if they saw him after he was charged with stalking in September 2024 but skipped bail and went on the run for a month.
The search was called off in October 2024 after he was tracked down to London and re-arrested.
In October last year, Foster-Smith was handed a new prison sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court of two years and two months.
Detective Constable Thomas Norman said at the time that his second victim ‘continued to live in fear’ and her life had been ‘destroyed’ by her convicted stalker’s behaviour.
Now, if convicted of the murder of Angarita, he is likely to face a charge of aggravated femicide, which carries a prison sentence in Colombia of between 40 and 50 years.
A Colombian foundation assisting the families of femicide victims called Justicia Para Todos, which in English translates to Justice For All, said before Foster-Smith was arrested: ‘We reject the violent death of Natalia Villalba, found on June 22 in an apartment in northern Bogota.
‘Behind every statistic there is a life, a story, and a family that today demands answers.
‘We call on the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation to conduct a thorough, prompt investigation with a gender perspective.’
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EU mobilises rescue teams to assist Venezuela after deadly earthquakes
4:00 am
EU mobilises rescue teams to assist Venezuela after deadly earthquakes
Emergency Assistance
The European Commission is deploying 520 responders from eight EU member states to assist in Venezuela following two earthquakes that resulted in at least 1,430 fatalities.
The European Commission is deploying 520 responders from eight EU member states to assist in Venezuela following two earthquakes that resulted in at least 1,430 fatalities.
International Response
Over 520 responders from eight EU Member States are mobilising for rescue operations in Venezuela, marking a significant collaborative emergency response to a humanitarian crisis.
Over 520 responders from eight EU Member States are mobilising for rescue operations in Venezuela, marking a significant collaborative emergency response to a humanitarian crisis.
Financial Aid
“We are allocating five million euros to the Red Cross, Caritas, and the World Food Programme for immediate relief efforts,” stated Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
“We are allocating five million euros to the Red Cross, Caritas, and the World Food Programme for immediate relief efforts,” stated Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Europe send search and rescue personnel to Venezuela in response to massive quakes
By Lucy Davalou & AFP
Published on •Updated
The European Commission is deploying rescue teams and other emergency assistance to Venezuela after double earthquakes hit the country on Wednesday, leaving at least 1,430 people dead and more than 50,000 missing, according to the UN.
So far, 520 responders from eight EU Member States including Czechia, Spain, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands, have mobilised for deployment through the EU civil protection mechanism.
The EU has also activated its Copernicus satellite service to “emergency mapping mode”, which provides free of charge data in cases of natural and man-made disasters around the world.
On Saturday, the first Italian Air Force landed in Venezuela transporting rescue teams coordinated by the Civil Protection and the Crisis Unit. In addition, more than one hundred Italian operators, including doctors and search experts, will be active on the ground to collaborate closely with local and international authorities**.**
According to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto a second plane is already prepared to depart to transport additional specialised personnel and firefighters to the affected areas.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced an initial allocation of five million euros in financial aid, earmarked for the Red Cross, Caritas, and the World Food Programme for relief efforts.
Spain’s Minister of Defence wrote in a post on X that the Military Emergencies Unit is “working hard to provide the necessary assistance and capabilities in the earthquake’s ground zero in #Venezuela.” Adding, “The canine units and deployed personnel are working on preliminary reconnaissance and the search for survivors.”
Meanwhile, 85 French search and rescue personnel arrived in Caracas where they will help with search and rescue operations.
The UK’s Royal Air Force is also assisting by preparing aid packages to be deployed to Venezuela.
Turkey sent two military aircraft carrying search and rescue personnel, medical teams, and humanitarian aid.
The two powerful earthquakes struck the northern Yaracuy region within a minute of each other on Wednesday night, leaving unprecedented damage.
Governor Spencer Cox restricts Utah fireworks amid worsening wildfire threat
3:00 am
Media Lens: Governor Spencer Cox restricts Utah fireworks amid worsening wildfire threat
Governor Spencer Cox restricts Utah fireworks.
Governor Spencer Cox has restricted fireworks in Utah amid ongoing wildfires. The state is facing critical fire weather, complicating firefighting efforts according to coverage in NPR and coverage in CNN.
What happened
Governor Spencer Cox has imposed restrictions on fireworks in Utah due to the escalating wildfire situation. The restrictions aim to prevent further incidents amid critical fire weather conditions.
Firefighting efforts are complicated by strong winds as crews battle a massive wildfire, which is now the largest in the United States. This fire is consuming forests and threatening local communities, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Key facts
- Governor Spencer Cox has restricted the use of fireworks in Utah due to ongoing wildfires.
- The restrictions have been put in place amid critical fire weather conditions.
- Utah is experiencing significant wildfire activity, with some of the largest fires in the U.S. currently ongoing.
- Communities in Utah are mourning the loss of treasured places due to these fires.
Where coverage differs
- NPR emphasizes the critical weather conditions impacting firefighting efforts, while The New York Times emphasizes the dramatic impact of wildfires on local communities.
- CNN foregrounds the emotional loss tied to fireworks restrictions, rather than the actual fire threat, while AP News prioritizes the operational challenges faced by firefighting crews.
- The New York Times focuses on a dramatic narrative regarding the wildfires, whereas NPR provides a more factual account of the ongoing firefighting efforts.
One story, four angles
NPR – Governor Spencer Cox restricts Utah fireworks amid wildfires
Publication: NPR | Primary framing pattern: policy | Tone: informative | Intensity: 6/10 | Sentiment: neutral | Legal precision: high
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Espresso Shot: NPR emphasizes the new restrictions imposed by Governor Spencer Cox on fireworks in Utah due to ongoing wildfire threats. The piece foregrounds the government’s proactive measures while noting the balance needed between celebrations and safety concerns.
Publication emphasis: The article highlights the government’s response to environmental risks associated with fireworks during wildfire season.
Framing analysis: The government’s response is foregrounded to emphasize public safety, while personal freedoms regarding celebrations are treated as secondary concerns.
Bias: Selection: Focus on government actions | Language: Neutral terminology regarding restrictions | Omission: Limited discourse on public opinion or dissent.
Assessment: The article is straightforward, presenting legal actions taken without expressing favoritism towards any particular viewpoint.
The New York Times – ‘It’s End-of-Days-Type Stuff’: Wildfires Rage in Utah’s Mountains
Publication: The New York Times | Primary framing pattern: consequence | Tone: dramatic | Intensity: 8/10 | Sentiment: concerning | Legal precision: medium
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Espresso Shot: This article raises awareness regarding the extreme wildfire conditions in Utah, using vivid language to depict the chaos and devastation experienced in mountainous regions. The emphasis is placed on the severity of the situation and the potential implications for communities.
Publication emphasis: The framing highlights the catastrophic implications of the wildfires on both the environment and local communities.
Framing analysis: Disaster and its consequences are foregrounded, with the actions taken by authorities treated as secondary to the crisis narrative.
Bias: Selection: Focus on the intensity of devastation | Language: Emotional and evocative | Omission: Limited exploration of the causes behind the wildfires.
Assessment: The article effectively conveys the urgency of the wildfire situation while prioritizing emotional resonance over detailed policy analysis.
CNN – Wildfires cast a shadow over Utah’s Fourth of July as fireworks are restricted and communities mourn treasured places
Publication: CNN | Primary framing pattern: moral | Tone: reflective | Intensity: 7/10 | Sentiment: somber | Legal precision: medium
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Espresso Shot: CNN explores the emotional impact of the wildfires as they intersect with holiday celebrations, emphasizing community grief and loss. It foregrounds moral considerations regarding public safety and traditions in the face of ongoing environmental crises.
Publication emphasis: The narrative focuses on the emotional turmoil within communities facing restrictions during a significant national holiday.
Framing analysis: The moral consequences of the wildfires are central, while the recognition of governmental actions is secondary.
Bias: Selection: Personal stories and community anguish | Language: Empathetic and poignant | Omission: Limited discussion about how these challenges can be addressed.
Assessment: The article deeply resonates with emotional aspects surrounding the wildfires, presenting a complex human experience interlinked with environmental issues.
AP News – Winds hamper crews as fast-moving fire in Utah, the largest in the US, burns through forests
Publication: AP News | Primary framing pattern: consequence | Tone: urgent | Intensity: 9/10 | Sentiment: alarming | Legal precision: medium
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Espresso Shot: AP News delivers a high-intensity report about the extremely severe wildfire in Utah, discussing the immediate consequences and ongoing challenges faced by firefighters. The article emphasizes how wind conditions complicate the firefighting efforts.
Publication emphasis: The urgency of the firefighting efforts amid environmental challenges is central to the narrative.
Framing analysis: The disastrous consequences of the fire and the struggle of first responders dominate the discussion, while broader implications are less explored.
Bias: Selection: Focus on firefighting struggles | Language: Direct and alarming | Omission: Limited context on the overall scale and response strategies.
Assessment: This article starkly presents the challenges firefighters face, emphasizing the urgent need for action without delving into underlying causes or solutions.
Food for thought
NPR employs a strong legal framing by highlighting Governor Spencer Cox’s decision to restrict fireworks as a direct response to ongoing wildfires, underscoring state authority in crisis management. In contrast, The New York Times takes a more escalatory approach, using dramatic language to invoke an apocalyptic image of the situation—calling the wildfires “End-of-Days-Type Stuff.” While NPR focuses on legality and responsibility, The New York Times amplifies emotional weight and urgency. The shift from legal to dramatic narrative illustrates differing priorities in reporting, influencing public perception of the issue significantly. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Flooding concerns rise in Alberta as tornado watches affect Saskatchewan
12:00 am
Get you up to speed: Flooding concerns, tornado threats sweep across Canadian Prairies
Flooding concerns are rising in Alberta as Edmonton approaches a June rainfall record. Meanwhile, tornado watches and severe storms are affecting parts of Saskatchewan.
Alberta has recorded significant rainfall levels approaching a historic June benchmark, raising alarms over potential flooding. Meanwhile, tornado watches are in effect for various regions of Saskatchewan as severe storms are expected to impact the area.
Alberta officials are closely monitoring the situation as Edmonton approaches a June rainfall record, with local authorities urging residents to remain vigilant amid increasing flooding concerns. The Saskatchewan government has issued tornado watches and severe storm warnings, advising citizens to stay informed and prepared for potential severe weather impacts.
What remains unclear — The exact impact of the severe storms on areas in Saskatchewan is yet to be assessed.
Flooding concerns rise in Alberta as tornado watches affect Saskatchewan
Flooding concerns are mounting in Alberta as Edmonton nears a June rainfall record, while tornado watches and severe storms threaten parts of Saskatchewan.
Challenger Dan J. Sullivan eligible for primary ballot against Sen. Dan Sullivan, judge rules
10:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan’s primary challenger who has the same name is eligible for ballot, judge rules
A judge in Alaska ruled that Dan J. Sullivan is eligible to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan in the August primary, overturning a prior decision by the Division of Elections. The ruling can be appealed, and the state has until Tuesday to seek a final decision before printing ballots for the August 18 primary.
A judge has ruled that Dan J. Sullivan is eligible to run against incumbent U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, overturning a previous disqualification by the Division of Elections. The state Division of Elections plans to appeal the ruling, with a deadline for a final decision set for Tuesday to ensure ballots are printed for the August 18 primary.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews ruled that Dan J. Sullivan is eligible to challenge incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan in the upcoming August primary, overturning an earlier disqualification decision by the Division of Elections. The state Department of Law confirmed it will appeal the ruling, with a deadline for resolution set for Tuesday to ensure ballot printing for the August 18 primary.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain whether the Division of Elections will successfully appeal the judge’s ruling by the Tuesday deadline.
Challenger Dan J. Sullivan eligible for primary ballot against Sen. Dan Sullivan, judge rules
A man with the same name and party affiliation as Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible to challenge the senator in the August primary, a judge ruled Friday.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews’ ruling overturns a June 15 decision by Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher to disqualify the challenger and keep him off the primary ballot. Matthews’ ruling can be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
Attorneys for the state have said Tuesday is the deadline for a final ruling so that ballots for the Aug. 18 primary can be printed.
The judge ruled that the division’s decision to exclude Dan J. Sullivan because his candidacy was not “in good faith” was not based on the Constitution, Alaska law or the division’s own regulations. The retired teacher from the small fishing community of Petersburg filed to challenge the incumbent.
Katie Holmlund/AP Photo 
“Instead, the decision was based upon a new, previously unstated, ‘good faith’ criteria,” the judge wrote.
The division is appealing the decision, Sam Curtis, a spokesperson with the state Department of Law, said by email Saturday. Jeffrey Robinson, an attorney for Dan J. Sullivan, said in an email he expected the division to appeal and couldn’t comment until the Alaska Supreme Court rules on the case.
The controversy over the two Dan Sullivans has underscored the stakes involved in the incumbent’s reelection campaign. The Alaska race is one of about half a dozen U.S. Senate races expected to be highly competitive in the fall, and the seat is one Democrats are trying to flip in their efforts to try to regain the majority. But it’s expected to be an uphill battle in a state that President Trump won by 13 points in 2024.
The senator and allies, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have condemned the challenger’s efforts to join the race, arguing his presence could confuse voters. Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom earlier this month opened an investigation into the non-Senator Sullivan’s candidacy.
Under Alaska’s election system, the top four candidates from the primary, regardless of party, move on to the ranked-choice November general election.
The senator has accused the challenger Sullivan of working with Democrats and the campaign of Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola — who is considered the senator’s main opponent — to cause confusion and boost Peltola’s chances. The sitting senator brought the situation to reporters’ attention at the Capitol earlier this month, accusing Democrats of being “complicit in trying to trick Alaskans” to “rig an election in their favor.”
Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo 
Peltola’s campaign and state Democrats have denied the allegation, as has the challenger.
Sen. Sullivan and Peltola are the highest-profile candidates in the crowded race and the only ones to report raising any money.
Beecher has said she determined the challenger Sullivan is not eligible to run because his candidacy was not filed in good faith and instead was done with an intent to confuse voters. She said he had registered to vote as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. and, in conjunction with his candidacy, changed his party affiliation to Republican. She also cited similarities between his campaign website and the senator’s, and his work with a consultant whose clients have included some Democrats. She did not mention finding any evidence of alleged coordination.
In arguing to keep the challenger disqualified, attorneys for the state pushed back on suggestions the ballot could be designed in a way to reduce voter confusion over two candidates with the same name and party running for the same office.
“The Constitution does not require States to place a sham candidate on the ballot and then attempt to mitigate the damage through design choices,” attorney Rachel Witty, with the Alaska Department of Law, and outside attorneys Christopher Murray and Michael Francisco wrote in court filings.
Attorneys for the challenger Sullivan argued that the Constitution lays out three exclusive qualifications for the Senate, addressing only age, citizenship and residency. They said Beecher lacked the legal authority to boot their client off the ballot.
The challenger Sullivan has said that sharing a name and party affiliation with the incumbent gave him “an instant megaphone.” But the 69-year-old retired teacher and former U.S. Forest Service employee said he had considered a run for some time and had grown frustrated with the senator.
He initially was certified on the state’s candidate list as Dan J. Sullivan, with the senator listed as Dan S. Sullivan and identified as the incumbent.
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