AI Tries To Write The News: Sullivan’s speech to the Legislature; bill to ban police masks
- Mark Sabbatini
- 57 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Editor’s note: AI Tries To Write The News is a weekly feature where a commercial AI blog tool is asked to write news stories about notable local events of the past week, with excerpts of the results provided. Text that is outright fiction/nonsense is highlighted in red, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the rest is entirely accurate. The intent is to familiarize readers with what AI-generated news content looks like, and should not be considered factual or "reporting" in any sense other than as a basis of comparison to the human-written articles.
Stories for the week of Feb. 15
Example 1
Juneau Independent story from Feb. 18 , 2026: Sullivan focuses on partisan attacks during election year speech to Alaska Legislature
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, issued a barrage of attacks against former President Joe Biden and other Democrats during the senator’s annual address to the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday.
Sullivan, who is seeking reelection to a third term this fall, reiterated a range of talking points from previous speeches in recent months while touting Alaska’s "comeback" since President Donald Trump began his second term 13 months ago. The senator mentioned Biden by name 11 times during the 90-minute joint session, while using Trump’s name three times.
"Alaska has lived under a pendulum," Sullivan said during remarks referencing Trump’s first term that began in 2017. "One administration encouraging development of our economy and resources, then another administration coming in and saying ‘no, through executive orders, we're going to shut it down.’"
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AI-generated story: Sullivan's 2026 Address: A Rallying Cry for Alaska Amid Partisan Challenges
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan delivered his 2026 address to the Alaska State Legislature with a clear message: Alaska stands at a historic crossroads filled with opportunity, but political divisions threaten progress. His speech combined a strong defense of the Trump administration’s policies with pointed criticism of Democratic lawmakers. Sullivan’s remarks reflected the deep partisan tensions shaping Alaska’s political landscape as the state prepares for a critical Senate race in 2026.
Emphasizing Alaska’s Economic Recovery and Opportunities
Senator Sullivan opened his address by highlighting Alaska’s economic rebound following recent challenges. He pointed to rising oil production, increased federal investments, and expanding infrastructure projects as signs of a comeback. According to Sullivan, these developments create historic opportunities for job growth and community development across the state.
He underscored the importance of energy independence, noting that Alaska’s oil and gas sector remains a backbone of the state economy. Sullivan praised recent federal policies aimed at boosting domestic energy production, which he said benefit Alaskans directly through jobs and revenue. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve transportation and broadband access in rural areas, which he described as vital for connecting communities and supporting local businesses.
Criticism of Democratic Lawmakers and Partisan Divide
A significant portion of Sullivan’s speech focused on criticizing Democratic leaders in Alaska and Washington. He accused them of obstructing progress and pursuing policies that harm the state’s economic interests. Sullivan specifically denounced Democrats for opposing oil development and for what he called “partisan games” that stall legislation beneficial to Alaskans.
This tone marked a sharp contrast to previous addresses, reflecting the heightened political stakes as Sullivan faces a tough reelection battle against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. His speech served as a rallying cry to his supporters, emphasizing the need to defend conservative values and resist what he described as “radical” Democratic agendas…
Example 2
Juneau Independent story from Feb. 17, 2026: Police, public on opposing sides of Juneau lawmaker’s bill banning officers from wearing masks
People testifying in favor of a bill banning police from wearing masks to conceal their identities spoke mostly about what they’re worried could happen. Anchorage’s police chief, among the very few opposing the bill, raised concerns about what has already been happening to his officers for a long time.
The first hearing featuring open public testimony on House Bill 250 by Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, was held by the House State Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Eight residents spoke in favor of the bill and the Anchorage chief was the lone dissenter, while testimony submitted in writing as of the hearing was 7-2 in favor of the bill.
Hannan has stated she introduced the bill to promote public trust in law enforcement in the wake of large-scale deployments of federal officers to some U.S. cities by President Donald Trump, resulting in widespread reports of abuses including the killing of two people in Minneapolis last month. The bill prohibits masks or disguises intended to conceal identity, with some exceptions for circumstances such as undercover work, medical situations and cold weather…
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AI-generated story: Debate Heats Up Over Alaska Bill to Ban Police from Wearing Masks and Disguises
A bill introduced by Alaska state Representative Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, aims to ban police officers from wearing masks or disguises that conceal their identity. The proposal has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and the public. Supporters argue the ban would increase police accountability and public trust, while opponents warn it could jeopardize officer safety and investigative tactics.
Background of the Bill
Representative Sara Hannan introduced the bill in early 2026 after hearing concerns from Juneau residents about masked officers at protests and public events. The bill would prohibit police officers from wearing any masks, disguises, or other items that hide their faces while on duty, except in narrowly defined situations such as undercover operations approved by a supervisor.
Hannan stated the bill aims to promote transparency and accountability by ensuring officers can be identified by the public. She cited incidents where masked officers created fear and mistrust in communities, especially during protests or demonstrations.
Arguments Supporting the Ban
Supporters of the bill emphasize the importance of police accountability and community trust. They argue that officers who conceal their identities can act with less oversight, which may lead to abuses of power or excessive force. Public testimony during legislative hearings included voices from Juneau residents who said masked officers felt intimidating and made it harder to hold law enforcement accountable…
